Skoda Scala 2021 review: Monte Carlo snapshot

Want a sporty looking small hatch that offers smarts too? The 2021 Skoda Scala Monte Carlo might be the car for you.

The new small hatchback offers big space from a compact package, and in the Monte Carlo specification, it adds a few sporty exterior and interior features that add flair over the base model 110TSI.

The Monte Carlo has an MSRP or list price of $33,390 - but there’s a drive-away price of $33,990 available nationally. The Monte Carlo model gets an exterior black pack - there are black badges and letters on the tailgate, black trim highlights and grille surround, and different black/silver 18-inch alloy wheels compared to the 110TSI.

The Monte Carlo has a standard panoramic glass roof, sports seats and pedals, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, smart key (proximity) unlocking and push-button start, and the brand’s Sport Chassis Control setup - lowered adaptive suspension (15mm) with drive modes. And of course, it has a black headliner.

Explore the 2021 Skoda Scala Range

Skoda Scala 2021 review: 110TSI snapshot Skoda Scala 2021 review: Launch Edition snapshot Skoda Scala 2021 review: Monte Carlo snapshot

And it carries over the 8.0-inch media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, an electric tailgate, fog lights and LED rear lighting with dynamic indicators, four USB-C ports (2x front/2x rear), ambient lighting in red, a covered centre armrest, leather steering wheel, manual seat adjustment, tyre pressure monitoring, and the “Trunk Package” with multiple cargo nets and hooks in the boot area.

Standard safety gear includes a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming side mirrors with heating and power adjust, driver fatigue detection, lane keeping assist and AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection. There’s also a low-speed rear AEB system to stop car-park bumps.

The Monte Carlo can be optioned with the $4300 Travel Pack, which swaps in a 9.2-inch media screen with GPS and wireless CarPlay, semi-autonomous parking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, heated front and rear seats (but keeps the Monte Carlo’s cloth trim), and paddle shifters.

The Scala Monte Carlo has the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine (producing 110kW/250Nm) with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and it’s front-wheel drive. It has claimed consumption of 5.5L/100km.