Mini 5D Hatch vs Skoda Scala
What's the difference?

Mini 5D Hatch

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2020 price

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Skoda Scala

$24,990 - $39,789

2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2020 Mini 5D Hatch

2025 Skoda Scala

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 3, 1.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.0L/100km (combined)

5.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Potent engine
Tons of grip
Funky cabin ambience

Class-leading interior space
Excellent fuel efficiency
Comfortable and solid on-road

Dislikes

Ride can be harsh
Jittery drive experience
Cabin tech overly user friendly

Sporadic wireless phone mirroring
Not as fun as its rivals with outputs
Older looking exterior

2020 Mini 5D Hatch Summary

That the 2020 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works is the most powerful Mini to have landed in Australia isn’t all that surprising. After all, parent company BMW has squeezed the thumping four-cylinder engine from the M135i under its bonnet, and that thing creates a snarling beast of any vehicle it finds a home in.

What is a surprise, though, is that having now driven this angry, crackling, snarling hot hatch, what with its burbling exhaust and properly rapid acceleration, is that it took Mini this long to get around to doing it.

So does the engine upgrade now put the Clubman JCW on the same pedestal as the best European hot hatches? There's only one way to find out.

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2025 Skoda Scala Summary

The new Skoda Scala brings a trim line-up of just two models and the features list for both have been reshuffled with a little pruning here and a few welcome additions there.

The Select 85TSI on test for this review replaces the former Ambition base variant and offers very competitive pricing considering its European roots.

You would be forgiven, though, if the Skoda Scala was not the first make and model that came to mind in your new hatchback hunt. But with its minor facelift and a boot capacity that rivals medium SUVs, maybe it should be on the list.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Mini 5D Hatch 2025 Skoda Scala

Verdict

The Mini Clubman JCW is quirky in a lot of the right ways, and now has a hard-charging engine to up the adrenalin factor. If you were already sold on the idea of joining the Clubman club, this one will steal your heart more than any other.

Verdict

The new Skoda Scala Select proves base models can be well-equipped and have a great price tag, which is not always the case at this grade level.

Its driving experience might not be as exciting as some rivals but it’s a great urban dweller nonetheless and it offers really good value overall.

Mini 5D Hatch vs Skoda Scala What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mini 5D Hatch vs Skoda Scala
What's the difference?