Skoda Scala review | Great car with a problem engine

The TSI engine mixed with the DSG gearbox seems to be having a problem in my test car. The Scala is a great car that I've tested widely but something has changed over the last few months and I suspect WLTP regulations.

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Bob Flavin
PM445577
Unit C1, North City Business Park
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D11 RW30
Ireland

[torrance]

I have the same enginge in my Scala. You're enginge is fine. Your "issue" is caused by the DSG. When you floor it, the gearbox needs to go through some gears which takes about 1s when you go from 7 to 4. You might want to get some info on how a DSG or DKG gearbox works. The solution to smooth driving is simple: You got 150 hp in a small car -> you don't need to floor it. You got plenty of power. It's possible to easily overtake without flooring it. If you really do want to race than simply select the gear with the paddles, it will go into manual mode, so you can floor it and have imediate power. With a DSG you kinda shift with the gaspedal. The more aggressive you push it down, the more gears it needs to downshift. Since a DSG cant skip a gear it will take longer, the more harder you push.

[sjc]

Been driving a 2022 Scala for about 3 months. Haven't noticed any of the problems canvassed in this video. Great car to drive.

[petercurtis]

I bought a new 1.5DSG Scala two months ago, my third new Skoda (Citago, Octavia 2.0 diesel) and consider it the best car I have ever bought. Comfortable, quiet, economical and stylish. Skoda have done it again, do not be deterred by this road test, it is a fantastic car

[calumevans]

This is the advantage of a proper manual gearbox. U can control all this with the clutch pedal. And I believe software updates are available for the tcu on dsg models.

[bryanneighbour]

Finally someone highlights the delay issue in a review. I had the same engine gearbox set up in my 2021 Kamiq and for a while it drove me nuts. Best way I found to deal with it was place it in sport mode then back to normal after the pull away. But yes only issue I had with it. Super car. I use android also and had none of the tech issues you experienced. Great review as always Bob.

[twistsouth]

The power delay is the DSG, the juddering is the engine. But it’s not the cylinder deactivation causing it. It’s something else because not all 1.5TSI are affected. It seems to me like the engine just isn’t being given enough fuel or there’s too much reliance on the variable geometry turbo at low RPM.

I’ve got one and the last software update seems to have solved it but I’m not yet convinced so I’m doing more testing now that it’s colder weather.

[Timw]

Bob, thanks for the detailed information on the flaws. I have heard about 1.5 / DSG VW group issues before, your video does a great job of explaining the flaws to potential customers. I'm considering a Kamiq with the 1.5 and maybe the DSG (not yet convinced about auto gear boxes) I'm now armed with suitable knowledge in advance of a test drive. Best wishes and thanks for all your informative videos. Ps hope you do one on the new BMW 1.5 petrol 1 series.

[wput]

Thanks for your honesty in the review Bob!

[stephenwakeman]

Great that this review covers the issues with the 1.5 unlike 99% of them. I am one of the hundreds of Briskoda forum posters who has a VAG 1.5 EVO engine and have had issues. The two main problems are the delayed response and the juddering / kangarooing. My Karoq manual new from April had a software update for the power delay back in June. Fixed that. Had the judder update a couple weeks ago - seems better but not completely fixed. VW TPI recall notice says that the power delay is something to do with ECU and alternator improper interaction.

[ianbennett]

Thanks for mentioning the 1.5TSI 150 issue, I've only seen you and Honest John mention it. I've got that engine in a manual Golf and have the same hesitation issues and kangarooing at cold, hopefully the software update will cure it.

[Logicalx]

I found Bluetooth caused the issue for Apply car play, and depending on when the video was recorded car play is updated with iOS 13 and we’re on 13.1.2. So switch off Bluetooth. Might not work for you but worth trying if it happens again on another car.

[TyronePatOne]

Fantastic in depth reviews, reminiscent of early days Top gear before Clarkson turned it into a light entertainment show. Great natural presenting style, brilliant!
Regarding the lag in the DSG box, I have only found this happens when in eco drive mode. This mode starts the car in 2nd gear. Thought it worth a mention.

[tommietolan]

As far as I’m aware the Apple Car Play disconnection issue is apart of the ios13 update bug, Apple has sent out a new update which has patched the bug and there should be no issue with connecting to the infotainment system.

[bigvinny]

I have a SEAT Leon with the same 1.5tsi DSG 7 speed auto transmission (150). I have NO problem with hesitation or delay. The point here is that the transmission has 3 modes Eco, normal Drive and Sport of which there is no mention of in the review. If you want a quick throttle response select Sport mode, perhaps this is why other reviewers like myself have not identified this delay as a major problem.

[Pragwof]

Great reviews, Bob. Can't believe so many reviewers completely ignore what by now is a well-known issue. Like you I am a big Skoda fan, but this 1.5 EVO engine seems to be a nightmare. Threads I have followed in both on UK and Czech websites suggest it is not simply a DSG issue. There were recent reports in a respected Czech publication that there is a cure for one of four batches of the engine. However, It seems a very tough nut to crack, and I am not sure software updates alone will cure it. I wouldn't touch one of these engines with a barge pole.

[johnbower]

A few people have said about the 7 speed DSG being hesitant; but to be fair I have noticed in the auto gearbox cars that I've ever driven there is a slight hesitation.

[pawek]

Ireland is only country in the world were alignment of the road lane not exist, you can drive straight and suddenly you on wrong line or your line is narrower then your car and you can meet tractor or lorry on the front of you. Even better can be in Dublin where lines just disappear without any warning: 3 lines -one line - two lines one line -only turn right... I love travel around Ireland but some part of the country side are still in 19th century.(but road tax the same everywhere)
Sorry for my English

[geskes]

Very interesting video. Even more so because I ordered a Scala with 1.5 tsi dsg 150hp just yesterday... I did test drive but I did not notice it. Maybe because currently I drive a 2017/18 passat 1.4 dsg 125hp and this is also a crappy engine with lag? Before this car I drove a 1.6 TDI manual golf and that one had a really noticable lag. If I put the passat in sport mode then it seems to have a little less lag. Anyways, maybe I got used to this problem?

Really doubtful about my choice now because this.video. I think I am going to test drive a 115 hp. Luckily I can still change my order in the next 13 days...

Many thanks for bringing this up! Finally someone who dares to bring up real flaws in reviews.

[markturner-smith]

The door close sounded a bit "tinny" not typical VW/Audi group quality? I am right in saying it's bit "built to cost" by bean counters over potential build quality.

[chrisabbott]

My partner’s Seat Ibiza with a 1.0 tsi and dsg also suffers from hesitation when pulling away. If stop/start is active it’s even worse. It also changes up through the gears so early it’s in 6th by the time you’re doing 30mph. Then if you need to accelerate you have to lock down and there’s another delay before it drops down a couple of gears. I wonder if any of this is to do with how the engines and gearboxes are set up to minimise emissions?