Today when we scrutinize the new car market it seems that there is no other option than to buy an SUV, something ideal for certain customer profiles but unbearable for a few others. That is why it is also worth looking at other segments, thus discovering cars that, without being an SUV, also have the same advantages as these. A perfect example is the Skoda Scala, a compact that declares 467 liters of trunk space, totally away from the SUV concept and is on sale for 18,200 euros to become the best buy before the end of the year, but is it really so?
And it is that we ask this question because, as in many other cases, the Czech compact is subject to financing. In this way, and as tempting as the price of the Scala may be for us, we must carefully read the fine print to analyze if the interests tarnish an apparently good opportunity.
This is the Skoda Scala that, for less than 19,000 euros, wants to end up in your garage
But before talking about numbers, it is necessary to clarify that the Skoda Scala that can end up in our possession for 18,200 euros will do so with a specific configuration as stipulated by the Czech firm. Thus, we must abide by the Active finish and the 1.0 TSI 95 CV enginethat is, the two access options, but is this a bad pairing?
The standard equipment is made up of 16-inch wheels, rear parking sensor with camera, LED front and rear headlights, exterior mirrors with electrical adjustments, push-button start, and a 6.5-inch screen with connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto between others.
As far as mechanics is concerned, the Skoda Scala boasts a modest engine, this being a 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder developing 95 hp and 175 Nm of torque. These are figures that are orchestrated by means of a five-speed manual gearbox, and allow a 0 to 100 in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 188 km/h. These are modest figures, but they are offset by a combined consumption under the WLTP cycle of 5.6 liters per 100.
Now, what conditions does Skoda require to be able to take us a Scala for less than 19,000 euros? The first thing is to face an entry of 3,200 euros, disbursement that will allow us to face 48 installments of 383.81 euros. To this we must add an APR of 11.82%, a TIN of 9.25% and an opening commission of 3.75%.
In this way, interest amounts to 3,072.88 euros, a figure that causes the total price in installments is 22,185.38 euros. This translates into a final figure that seems somewhat high for the equipment and engine offered by the offered Scala, although in its defense we must say that neither entry nor fees are high, and may also be a good option for those who value more paying for a car at deadlines comfortably.
The Skoda Scala in What car do I buy?
Now, we must know that the Skoda Scala It is not the only interesting option in the segment. We discovered this through What car do I buy?the Diariomotor comparator where we can find the largest offer of new cars and secondhand.
In this way, we come across a Fiat Tipo for some interesting 18,896 euros. Even more attractive is the Kia Ceed, a car that It can end up in our garage for 17,024 euros. And another alternative to take into account is the SEAT León which, for what we end up paying with the interest for the Scala, we take home with us the Spanish compact thanks to an offer of 22,990 euros.
But if the Skoda Scala is the car to choose and the budget for a new one is not enough, always we can use the used market. And it is that there where we discovered that the Czech compact is not only much cheaper, but we can also have access to better equipped finishes for less money.