TWIN TEST:THE WAY we think about cars has changed dramatically over the past few years. If we assume that the days of the dedicated, large SUV is past us, we are entering the era of the crossover. And it isn't a bad thing, writes PADDY COMYN
The Nissan Qashqai showed that the Irish buyer has a huge appetite for something that looks like an SUV, but is not particularly laden down with the weight of a four-wheel-drive system and the emissions that invariably follow.
The Soul, released at the tail-end of 2008, was the most radical Kia ever to come into production, and it was priced aggressively too.
And now Skoda has joined the party with its equally oddly named Yeti.
With hefty discounts floating around and scrappage under way, 2010 is hoped to be a strong year for sales in Ireland, and these two could be just the ticket for family car buyers wanting something that little bit different.
STYLING
Skoda Yeti ****
Kia Soul ***
It takes a second look at the photograph of the cars parked side by side to notice the major differences between these two models, because at a squint you would think that the designers had been roommates at design college.
Both cars have over-the-top, cartoon-like ruggedness, like Popeye seconds after he downs a can of spinach.
Both have flared wheel arches, both have slightly converted-van-like rear ends, and the cars share such similar dimensions you would swear they came from the same mould.
The Yeti is slightly longer, fractionally wider and taller, but side on they look like the same car. The Soul has a more doe-eyed look, and this makes the Yeti look slightly better overall, perhaps more SUV-like too, which will appeal to the would-be Qashqai buyer, of which there appear to be many.
RELIABILITY and QUALITY
Skoda Yeti **
Kia Soul ***
This is an area where few buyers are going to have to worry. Kia just recently announced it has added its seven-year warranty to the Soul (and all its new cars), and this means most owners won’t have too many sleepless nights. And Kia has shown itself to be pretty good in terms of quality and reliability so far.
The Soul isn’t an exception. On the outside, the car feels solid and well-put-together, and this is true of the inside, too, with plastics that are hard- wearing if not particularly luxurious. The further down you look, though, the cheaper the plastics get, and the finish on the doors is a particular let-down.
Mechanically, expect few headaches and, with that long warranty, you need not worry too much anyway. The Yeti is impressive, in every regard, but it is the quality that really blew us away, especially considering the price tag.
Being part of the Volkswagen group, VW could have put its badge on the Yeti and few would have complained, even with a price tag considerably more than Skoda asks. The interior quality is the same well-finished cabin we have come to expect from Skoda, but here it is a little more light-hearted. It has the edge in terms of quality and refinement.
DRIVING
Skoda Yeti ***
Kia Soul **
If you are expecting either of these cars to be hugely dynamic, or comparable to the best family hatchbacks in their segment, you will be wrong. These cars, by their dimensions and pseudo-SUV look, call for a certain amount of compromise.
The larger wheels added to the Soul add to what is an already flawed handling package. It leans and rolls though bends, and the front tyres are prone to losing grip, and this is with already inaccurate steering compared to a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, for example.
The Yeti is somewhat better, though. The ride is very good, and it is a very comfortable car, even with quite large wheels attached. There is some body, too, but it is more controlled than in the Soul. There is a 4x4 version of the Yeti available, but it will come later in the year.
ERGONOMICS and PRACTICALITY
Skoda Yeti ****
Kia Soul ***
Both cars offer generous space for driver and passenger alike, and their dimensions, as mentioned already, are pretty similar. Four six-foot adults would be able to sit in comfort in the Soul, and three children will sit comfortably in the rear.
The rear bench doesn’t slide in the Soul, like it does in the Yeti, so Kia has opted for decent passenger space in the rear, and as a result the luggage space isn’t huge.
The Yeti too is tall and wide and generous in terms of space, but is more flexible than the Soul. The rear legroom is good, and can be added to by sliding the rear seats backwards. Sliding it forwards creates a generous luggage area. The rear seats can be folded, tumbled forward or removed altogether.
ENGINES
Skoda Yeti ***
Kia Soul ***
You aren’t burdened with choice in the Soul when it comes to engines. There is just the 1.6- litre diesel engine offered, but it is a good one, with 126bhp and 260Nm of torque, and that is better than what is offered by the larger 2.0-litre diesel unit in the Yeti.
The Yeti is also offered with a clever 1.2-litre 105bhp petrol engine, which is the car’s entry point, but we’d be drawn to the larger torque of the diesel, with 110bhp and 250Nm of torque.
Performance figures for both cars with these engines are very similar – they are almost impossible to separate under any category. They are both in tax band B, so annual road tax will be a very reasonable €156, and they both qualify for the Government scrappage scheme.
RUNNING COSTS (ECONOMY, ROAD TAX, DEPRECIATION)
Skoda Yeti ****
Kia Soul ****
Again, there is little to separate the two cars in this category, as they are both very good value to buy, they both qualify for the scrappage scheme by virtue of their low emissions, and their fuel-economy figures, which are both about 5.2 l/100km on the combined cycle, is very good.
Both cars are band B so will cost €156 per year to tax and they are also likely to have pretty steady depreciation. The Yeti is brand new, so we have no historic data to compare it with, and while all Soul models are 2009 registered, they all remain strong in terms of residuals, with the cheapest we have seen retailing at €18,000.
EQUIPMENT and SAFETY
Skoda Yeti ****
Kia Soul *****
There are four specifications on the Yeti, ranging from Entry (available only with the 105bhp 1.2 petrol), to Active, Ambition and Experience. All models get air conditioning, a CD player, loads of airbags, and remote-control central locking.
The Active model adds ESP, front fog lamps, an MP3 auxiliary link, Bluetooth hands-free kit, a multifunction leather steering wheel, and 16-alloy wheels.
The Soul comes with three specifications, with the EX the most popular. It has 18 alloy wheels as standard on this spec, as well as privacy glass, auxiliary input for an MP3, ABS with ESP, six airbags and air conditioning as well as electric windows front and rear.
VERDICT
Both vehicles are to be highly commended for their quirky good looks, value for money, high levels of standard kit – especially safety equipment – and because their clean diesel engines offer decent fuel economy, low road tax and access to the current scrappage scheme.
Both are very likeable vehicles, but we were especially impressed by the Skoda Yeti, which felt just that little bit better put together and although the Soul is better value, the versatility of the Yeti shone through and felt like a better package overall.
Skoda Yeti
Engine:1,968cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power:110bhp, 250Nm torque
Transmission:5-speed manual
Acceleration:0-100km/h 11.6 seconds
Top Speed:177km/h
Economy:Urban 6.6 l/100km; Extra Urban 4.7 l/100km; Combined 5.3/100km
CO2 emissions:140 g/km
Tax band:B (156 p.a.)
Boot capacity:416 litres 1760 litres
Price:€22,570
Kia Soul
Engine:1,582cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power:126bhp, 260Nm torque
Transmission:5-speed manual
Acceleration:0-100km/h 11.3 seconds
Top Speed:182km/h
Economy:Urban 6.3l/100km; Extra Urban 4.6l/100km; Combined 5.2l/100km
CO2 Emissions:137g/km
Tax Band:B
Boot capacity:340 litres
Price:€21,210
The competition: alternatives
Peugeot 3008 1.6 HDi SE
CC:
1560
BHP:106
Speed:180 km/h
0-100km/h:12.2 secs
L/100km:5.1
CO2:137 g/km
Motor tax:€156
Price:€24,905
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 DCI SE 5dr
CC:1461
BHP:106
Speed:174 km/h
0-100km/h:12.2 secs
L/100km:5.4
CO2:139g/km
Motor tax:€156
Price:€25,945
Daihatsu Terios 1.5 16v 4WD
CC:1495
BHP:105
Speed:160 km/h
0-100km/h:12.4 secs
L/100km:7.9
CO2:186g/km
Motor tax:€630
Price:€18,995
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.4 D-4D Terra
CC:1364
BHP:90
Speed:175 km/h
0-100km/h:11.7 secs
L/100km:5.5
CO2:118 g/km
Motor tax:€104
Price:€22,600