Car Star of the month: Skoda Yeti

The second Skoda to feature in our Car Star profile since it was launched just over a year ago, the Yeti is plucked from an increasingly dizzying array of vehicles that fall somewhere among the buzz words ‘crossover’, ‘SUV’, ‘4X4’, ‘Soft-roader’ and MPV to take the spotlight.

Winter means 4x4s

As winter grasps us coldly to her icy bosom, many motorists might be considering a vehicle with optional four-wheel drive (the motoring equivalent of an occasional table) for added traction during the worst of the seasonal weather.

If you are among them or you just like the idea of breaking into the increasingly popular crossover sector because you like the higher ride height, functional space and layout of cars in this category; then I have one and the same recommendation for you. The Yeti was heavily promoted as it launched last year, part of the growing and increasingly popular Skoda brand’s strategy to encroach into new territory. But the beasts roar seems to have been deafened nonetheless by the enduring popularity of the Nissan Qashqai. While the Qashqai and other vehicles like it in the now overcrowded crossover sector certainly have their qualities I feel that the Yeti has sufficient of its own to warrant a moment in the spotlight.

Releasing the inner monster

Skoda expected that the two wheel drive versions would make the majority of the Yeti sales in the UK and while many will be happy to drive the Yeti as a soft-roader, happy to appreciate the car for its raised driving position and estate-like dimensions, Skoda’s Haldex clutch system for the 4×4 vehicles are extremely competent and makes the Yeti a hardy off-roader too. Choose the top spec car and you get some handy extras that further the Yeti’s ability over rough terrain. Here an off-road button allows you to alter the vehicle’s ABS, traction control and EDL (electronic differential lock) to suit the conditions. There is also hill start assistance and hill decent control system for extra control, making the Yeti a complete native to the wilds with the only thing that would limit its mud wading ability being the ground clearance which is greater in some of the ‘proper’ 4x4s.

Nonetheless the Yeti is far more practical than the likes of the Ford Kuga and the Honda CR-V thanks to these off-road adaptations and while it’s no Land Rover it conveniently fits somewhere between Skoda’s own range of estate cars and a fully functional, rough and ready, farmer’s market type vehicle.

The Yeti comes with a choice of five engines- two petrol and three diesel – with outputs ranging between 105 and 170bhp. All three diesels are available with four-wheel drive and it’s these diesels that are the more appealing drives. Torguey and refined, with strong fuel economy, the diesels models are capable of a maximum of 52.3 mpg and emit just 140g/km CO2 in the most frugal form.

Looks-wise the Yeti is akin to the Czech carmaker’s Roomster model with a few alterations including the introduction of a protective grille and prominent fog lamps for the off-roader look. It is not as pretty as the Qashqai but the Qashqai is not as capable off-road nor as versatile as the Yeti so I guess it all comes down to what you need/want.

Price-wise the Yeti is keen too, with a starting price of £13,990 rising to £22,640 for the top spec car, a choice of four trim levels means there is something to suit every pocket. Even at the higher end of the range the car looks good against the competition, proving kinder to the purse than the Honda CR-V (with prices starting at £21,005), Ford Kuga (prices starting at £20,495) and even compared to the Nissan Qashqai (starting at 15,695) it comes out shining. And that’s why the Skoda Yeti is this December’s Car Star of the Month.

Author: Faye Sunderland, December 1st, 2010
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