Skoda Yeti first drive

Wednesday, 22 February 2012 08:30

Do you remember the Skoda’s from the 1980s? I do, and so does my friend.

They were so badly built, that it either broke down or the gearbox broke every time you went out. A friend of mine had a Skoda 105/120, or was it an Estelle or a Rapid; to be honest I can’t remember. All I know is that it was not very good.

My friend always maintained that every time he went to use his beloved little Skoda, another part of it’s bodywork had either rotted away or dropped off overnight. He also maintains that it was absolutely impossible to turn on the wipers at the same time as the headlights without having to change a blown fuse in the middle of nowhere.

Now, before you all go and put pen to paper to tell me that I am incorrect, I just want to point out one thing. I actually really like the old Skoda’s from the 70s & 80s. Yes they were rubbish, but cars like the 105/120, or the Estelle, were actually quite good looking, in a funny sort of way. I did a quick internet search to see if there were still any running around, but I was disappointed to find that they all seem to have retired to that big car graveyard in the sky. Shame really, as I was hoping to re-kindle my love for the old Skoda.

Moving on, I am now happy to say that Skoda is no longer the maker of dreary cars. Mainly because it is now part of the Volkswagen Group - and VW as you know make very good cars. This brings me swiftly onto this month’s test of the Skoda Yeti. It’s not one of the best looking cars, but it is practical and has lots of space inside.

On the road, I was really impressed by how the Yeti dealt with the lumps and bumps on our terrible roads. This is only the 2WD version, but it felt very good into the corners. Overtaking is not too much of a problem either if you are in the right gear. Ultimately though, this car is more about being a practical family car without all the fuss.

Performance, My test car was fitted with a 122PS 1.4-litre petrol engine; it’s performance is not mind blowing, but it does have a top speed of 115mph, and the 10.5 second 0-62mph figure is good for a car of this type. Fuel consumption figures also make sense at 41.5mpg combined - and CO2 emissions are as low as 159g/km.

Inside, The Yeti looks great, and has a nicely trimmed cabin. It also offers some really good features such as cruise control and 17” ‘Dolomite alloys’.

The main instrumentation clocks and gauges look really good, and they all seem very at home in the well set out interior of the Yeti. The feeling of quality inside the cabin is very good - but it is a little bland. Although, you would have no issues at all if you decided you wanted to take it off-road at some point and get it a little dirty - because the yeti is actually as tuff as old boots.

Space in the back is good, and the Yeti features special independent and sliding rear seats. They move forwards to liberate space or can be removed altogether. Doing this extends the 416-litre boot to an impressive 1,760 litres – so the Skoda stands out as a model that’s really capable of doubling up as a really usable family estate that provides you with an element of flexibility.

The level of kit you get in SE trim is not to be sniffed at either. Standard equipment starts with duel zone air conditioning, MP3 connection, integrated headlight washers; acoustic rear parking sensors, multi-function leather steering wheel, and an integrated CD changer completes the package.

The choices won't stop there because if you choose a front-wheel drive Yeti you’ll have two petrol and two diesel engines to pick from. The 105ps turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol is all most buyers will ever need, but the gutsier 122ps 1.4 petrol engine fitted to my test vehicle is the one I would pick if I wanted a petrol version.

Most diesel buyers though will choose the 105ps 1.6 TDI for its adequate performance and low emissions, but there’s also an 110ps 2.0 TDI.
Four-wheel drive Yetis can be either 1.8 petrol with 160ps, or 110 – 140ps versions of the 2.0 TDI engine.

Would I buy one? There are lots of positives in this car. Firstly it is actually very comfortable to drive, with minimal road noise. The suspension is a little too soft if I am honest, but this does make it very comfortable over poor road surfaces, but in reality the Yeti is very good indeed, because it represents excellent value for money.

The Yeti’s long list of standard equipment and space inside is good reason to consider this instead of a normal family hatchback. Most cars built by VW are solid, and the Yeti is no exception. The interior is well laid out and well put together, even if it is a little bland, but because VW has built this model, it will wear well over the years of ownership.

So to sum up: I would not be unhappy if I went out and bought the Yeti, because it has an enormous amount of space for both people and luggage. The Yeti actually makes you feel both warm, comfortable and relaxed “it’s like a Jacuzzi on wheels”.

Price: £17,690
Top speed: 115mph
0-62mph: 10.5sec
Economy: 41.5mpg (combined) emissions g/km (159)
Engine: 1.4 TSi Petrol
Power: 122PS
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
My Rating: Don’t be fooled by the badge. This is a great family car. By Anthony Yates

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