Skoda has given us a new look at the updated Scala family hatchback.
Skoda’s Octavia remains its icon of family-car motoring – but the Czech brand believes the constant pressure on living costs could make its value-focused offering in the class, the Scala, increasingly relevant over the next couple of years, so it’s treating the model to a string of updates.
In the main, the revisions to the Skoda Scala – a conventional five-door hatchback designed to rival the likes of the Ford Focus, Kia Ceed and Vauxhall Astra – mirror those applied to the Kamiq small SUV. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the two models share the same MQB A0 platform and, as a result, engines and transmissions, and are made alongside each other at Skoda’s main factory in Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic.
The design tweaks are typical mid-life fare, with no expensive alterations to the sheet metal but changes to the front and rear bumpers, and the headlights. There’s a new front grille, too – designed, Skoda claims, to take the production Scala closer to the Vision RS concept that previewed it back in 2018. The headlights themselves are slimmer than before, and there’s a diamond pattern in the mesh of the new air intake, which gives it a more ‘three-dimensional’ look. Matrix-LED headlights will be available as an option, as will the extended rear-hatch glass that stretches down to the tail-lights.
Other exterior tweaks include fresh designs of alloy wheels, ranging in size from 16 to 18 inches, and nine paint shades, including three solid colours.
Inside, the Scala’s cabin features greater use of recycled and natural materials on areas such as the seats and door inlays. The interior finishes will be governed by six Design Selections, curated mixes of colours and trims, as seen on the Enyaq EV.
The Scala is getting useful tech boosts across the range, too; all models get an 8.0-inch digital instrument panel as standard, with a larger and more interactive 10.25-inch display available as an option. An 8.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be fitted across the range, too, with the option of upgrading to a larger 9.2-inch panel that comes with a navigation package. The car can have up to five USB-C ports, including one embedded in the rear-view mirror, where it can plug into a dash cam. Other new features include hands-free gesture control for the optional powered tailgate.
The updated Scala should go on sale in early 2024.