Skoda has a remarkable lineup of cars for some years now. In the C-segment, where cars as the Golf, Focus and Astra operate,
Skoda doesn't offer a hatchback, but their Octavia. The car is big enough to be seen as a rival to the Insignia,
but when it comes to quality, appearance and chassis, it's a true C-segment car.
Anyway, you could ask yourself why Skoda didn't offer a true hatchback. That's a car shape which is very popular in the Netherlands.
So it's no surprise that the Skoda Scala has now finally appeared, it was a matter of time really.
But how does this Scala hold up to another bargain in this segment: the Kia Ceed.
And Skoda immediately uses their strongest card with that Scala: space. The car is bigger than the average car in this segment.
It kind of reminds me of the Audi A3 Sportback. It's a tad longer, which makes you doubt whether or not it's a hatchback or a wagon.
It's a hatchback, but it's a tad bigger than usual. And where does that additional space come into play? In the back.
Just look at this for a C-segment car. I'm behind myself and I've got lots and lots of legroom. The headroom is very good as well.
If you're going on vacation with adults, the people in the back will be alright. Also, the seats are in a good position, so no weird angles.
The space in the back doesn't compromise the luggage space, because that's above average as well.
467 litres to be exact. It has an adjustable loading floor, so you can choose for a lower sill.
If you fold everything down, you've got 1.400 litres to play with. Nice and spacious.
So here it is, the C-segment hatchback from Skoda. And you might think, this is just Skoda's Golf or A3 or Leon. But that's not entirely the case.
Yes, it's on the MQB-platform, but it's on the version being used by the Polo and T-Cross. That's a tad less refined than the one used...
in the Golf, Leon and A3. You get a torsion axle as standard at the back, so no independent suspension. That's also the case in several cheaper...
Golf's and Leon's, but it's not available at all on the Scala. And you notice when driving, that it just offers less refinement.
It's aimed at comfort, just like every Skoda nowadays. Also, like every Skoda nowadays, I think they've gone too far with it.
Especially with the Fabia and Octavia. Those cars feel so weak, they're not able to process all imperfections.
It will remain heaving about, which isn't good if you have kids which get car sick quickly.
If you ask me, there's a difference between offering comfort and having a weak suspension. I think Skoda has forced that weakness into the car,
just to position the car. And I don't like it one bit.
The 115 horsepower 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI is a familiar engine. It's a decent engine. It can have some difficulties in lower revs,
and it might cutout if you don't give enough throttle. However, when the turbo spools up, it's a nice and revvy engine.
It's quicker than the Kia despite being down on power, which is mostly because of the torquey engine which has power across a wide rev-range.
The manual gearbox feels light, but nothing special. The clutch is nice and accessible, which makes for a very simple drive. Very accessible.
The drivetrain is the biggest plus on this car, together with the space. Interior looks pretty good as well. Especially the design.
It's not overdone, because that's not Skoda, but it looks nice and there are cars which do a worse job.
Qualitatively speaking however, things get worse. Especially in lower regions. The multimedia system jammed multiple times,
which happens more often with new cars. Sometimes the doors didn't open, I had to open the window to open the door.
Together with other cracks and squeaks, it makes you wonder about the build quality of the car. You've got to add up everything...
*Car makes an alert noise* - This is what I was talking about just now.
The steering system thinks, when I don't move the steering wheel enough, that my hands aren't on the steering wheel and it alerts me.
But I'm only talking to you guys. With thorough testing, you would've spotted these things.
But as I said, if you add up all of those small things... I mean, yes it's cheaper than a Golf, but it will make very clear why it's cheaper.
It becomes apparent if you look at the used materials. Not only in lower regions of the interior.
Just look at the bootlid. You don't get a proper handle, but rather a rubber band to pull it down. Typically B-segment.
And that's the crux of this car. Where the Octavia is sized as a D-segment car, it's a C-segment car based on the quality, space and engines.
The Scala is sized as a C-segment car, being even more spacious than a Golf, but the rest of the car really feels like a B-segment car.
A very big one that is. If I look at the finishing, the test works, the quality, the handling... It just doesn't come near most C-segment cars.
If I compare it with the Seat, which is cheaper than the Golf... I mean sure, it's aimed at dynamic driving, but the drive is so much better.
We also start in the back of the Ceed. It's not Scala-sized back here, but my feet fit beneath the seat. Also, my knees are free.
And the seating feels good. Headroom is about the same as the Skoda and the seat is a tad less flat. So a tad more luxurious and cramped.
However, my legs are still good. You'll get into trouble when you surpass 2,10 m. in length.
Judging by the shape of this car, it's not a surprise this car won't offer as much luggage space as the Scala. Still, we've got 395 litres to play with.
If you fold everything down, you'll go to a small 1.300 litres. It doesn't have a double floor, only space for a spare wheel.
So, the Kia Ceed. It's a car which I know very well. We've got this as our longterm, I did the introduction of this generation as well.
I think they're a fun, interesting brand. The Koreans always look at their improvement points and subsequently improve them.
That way, a car grows up really fast. They're not often seen as a benchmark. Only the Kia Picanto was the best car of its segment at introduction.
However, a car like the Ceed always gets along very well. It's always very good value for money and it qualitatively isn't far off from a Golf...
or a Focus. It's very close whilst being cheaper at the same time, and that's a winning recipe.
When you set off, you'll notice immediately that it feels very different than the Skoda. The way the door closes, the used materials, the interior...
The materials feel better and softer, the buttons look better, ergonomics are more comprehensive. People think that's not always...
important, but it does add to the final score. If you drive it, you'll notice the chassis is a lot better than in the Skoda.
It's a huge difference. It's pretty dynamic, but it's not uncomfortable or anything. Especially in the Netherlands. It's really middle of the road.
But it offers fun handling as well. The steering is a tad heavier with quite some feedback. Sure, it's not the same as a Ford Focus or Mazda 3,
but it's a relief after that Scala. And that says more about the Skoda than it does about this.
Then, the engine. It's a turbocharged 1.0-litre, as we seen in many Kia's nowadays. It's a tad slower than the Kia, because it has less power...
in lower revs and because the gear ratio's are longer. So you might think the Skoda has the better engine, but if you shift back...
Starting at 4.500 RPM, going up to 5.000... That's when you're able to keep going. And you'll think 'this is a nice buildup'.
You really have to get up there to make the 3-cylinder sound pretty good as well. It's not afraid either. 6.000 RPM, 6.500 RPM...
It's a nice and fun engine. But it's up to you how you drive it. The Skoda has more torque, but the Kia is more fun to drive in...
higher revs. It's going to be a tie...
The gearbox is decent, but I think the clutch is a tad vague. That's better in the Skoda.
If we look at multimedia and safety systems, I think systems in the Kia were developed better than in the Skoda.
It's incredibly accessible. It doesn't have as much options as in the Skoda, especially when it comes to connectivity.
But the systems works incredibly smoothly. All buttons are exactly where you expect them to be, you've got shortcut-buttons...
Climate control is clear. Not pressing a button here, only to move to your touchscreen to do the next step.
I can alter it here completely. Air to the feet, hotter, colder... This is what I meant with Kia listening to critics.
They listen and the improve it on the next model.
It's clear that the Kia doesn't even come near the Skoda when it comes to space, but that's the same for every other car in the segment.
When it comes to the drive, finishing, grown-upness and refinement, the Ceed is of a totally different level.
You could say 'sure, but the Skoda is cheaper'. Maybe, but the Kia isn't 'expensive' either.
Both cars as they stand here, with the same power output and options... I even think the Kia has more options, because this has heated seats...
which the Scala doesn't have. But the cars cost inbetween €28.000 and €29.000. Being the Ceed GT-Line and Scala First Edition.
And that makes me think about reasons to buy the Scala. Well, it's incredibly comfortable. Some people don't mind the weakness.
It's incredibly spacious. I mean if you got that money, you shouldn't look any further if you want to invest that in space.
Those could be reasons to choose the Skoda, but the reality is that the Kia is the better car in this comparison. No doubt about it.