Skoda Scala 2021: Czech small car arrives in Australia aimed at VW Golf, Mazda 3

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The 2021 Skoda Scala has landed in Australia with a bulging spec list priced from $26,990 driveaway.

That makes the Scala price competitive with peers like the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf, though there are some niceties that you wouldn’t usually expect at this end of the market.

For the $26,990 asking price the Scala 110TSI has an eight-inch touchscreen that runs wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, wireless charging, ambient lighting, leather-appointed steering wheel and cloth upholstery. 

The entry-level Scala is equipped with a power tailgate, too, a convenience unheard of at this price.

Safety equipment is impressive with rear parking sensors, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, reverse camera and lane-keep assist for a full complement of five stars in the 2019 ANCAP safety test.

Skoda offers several equipment packs for the Scala. For $4,300 extra the 110TSI can be specced up with heated front and rear seats, power adjustment for driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

On top of that, there is the tech pack – a $3,900 option that adds a high-resolution 9.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, premium sound system, keyless entry and LED headlights.

Skoda has combined these option packs to create the Scala launch edition, which gets even more kit including navigation, aerodynamic 18-inch alloy wheels, and park assist for $35,990 driveaway.

There is no RS grade for the Scala yet, but there is a sportier Monte Carlo variant. 

For $33,990, the Monte Carlo gets blacked-out exterior styling including on the 18-inch ‘vega’ alloy wheels, sportier suspension with a 15mm lower ride height, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control and cloth-appointed sports seats.

The Monte Carlo can be optioned with the travel pack for $4,300. Similar to the tech pack, the travel pack adds auto-park and side assist on top. 

All Scala models in Australia pack a familiar turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual, or for $2,000 extra a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is optional.

Although dimensionally similar to the Golf – at 4,362mm the Skoda is slightly longer – the Scala sits on the Volkswagen MQB-A0 platform found under the smaller Volkswagen Polo. 

That explains why the Scala is quite affordable in base spec, though unlike the independently suspended Golf, the Skoda employs a torsion beam rear suspension set-up.

Outside, the Scala adopts Skoda’s latest design language and corporate front grille design as seen on the Kamiq, while also referencing the Skoda Rapid with the black rear glass. Inside, it’s classic Skoda with plenty of neat practicalities including hidden umbrellas in the doors and cargo nets.

The new Scala is on-sale now.

Skoda Scala 2021: pricing in Australia

Prices listed are national driveaway costs.

• Scala 110TSI manual – $26,990
• Scala 110TSI DSG – $28,990
• Scala Monte Carlo – $33,990
• Scala Launch Edition – $35,990