Skoda Scala

Prices £16,105-£24,515 Engines 1.0 TSI, 1.5 TSI, 1.6 TDI Trims S, SE, SE L, Monte Carlo Economy 41.5-60.1mpg CO2 123-154g/km 0-62mph 8.2-10.9secs

ALL Skodas come with what the brand calls its ‘Simply Clever’ touches. These are little practicality features – such as an umbrella under the front seat, an ice scraper in the fuel filler door and a holder for car park tickets – that make life more easy.

The Scala boasts plenty of usability, thanks in part to these touches, but it’s the hatchback’s value compared with rivals that makes it such an appealing buy.

Despite being based on the Volkswagen Group’s slightly smaller MQB A0 platform, the Scala is huge and offers more boot space than the VW Golf, which is based on the larger MQB chassis, at 467 litres.

The Skoda drives well enough; the ride is occasionally a little harsh but it’s mostly comfortable and cushions bumps nicely, while the engine line-up offers lots of choice. We’d go for the 113bhp 1.0 TSI, avoiding the breathless lower-powered version of this engine and the noisy 1.6 TDI.

With efficiency of up to 51.5mpg for our favoured engine and trim, it shouldn’t cost too much to run, while it’s also affordable.

SE trim offers an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for nav, cruise control, parking sensors, AEB and lane-keep assist, air-con and some clever storage touches, including drawers under the front seats and Skoda’s ‘Jumbo Box’ in the centre console. This is part of the ‘Simply Clever’ approach, too, and it’s this attention to detail, combined with real ability in every other area, that makes the Scala such a great family car.

“It’s this attention to detail, combined with real ability in every other area, that makes the Scala such a great family car”