FIRSTDRIVE SKODA YETI:THERE'S A TV camera pointing in my face and Skoda's interviewer wants to know what I think of the Yeti. Specifically, he wants me to sum it up in one word. If you've ever watched TV and thought "I could do that", think again, writes KYLE FORTUNE
TV presenters earn their money; the ability to act naturally, think quickly and talk clearly in front of the camera doesn’t come easily. The best I can blurt out is “useful”.
Fast-forward 12 hours and I’m asked the same question by another interviewer. Again I say “useful”, but then I’m asked for something a bit more emotive. I’m lost for words.
There’s nothing wrong with useful. I like useful things. The Yeti isn’t overly fun or exciting; I’m never going to say I love it, but I do like it. The Yeti is Skoda’s first real foray into the wilderness. Sure, the company makes the Octavia Scout, with jacked-up suspension and four-wheel-drive, but the Yeti is its first proper off-roader – albeit one that’s available in two- or four-wheel-drive guises.
Dubbed “crossover” rather than SUV, the Yeti really does throw a bit of everything into the mix. The chunky looks and large gaps in the wheel arches leave you in no doubt that it’s able to take the rough stuff, while inside there’s all the versatility of Skoda’s Roomster – rear seats that tumble and fold and are also completely removable. The removal of the rather useless middle one allows the two remaining pews to be moved into the centre to increase shoulder space and create a generously proportioned four-seater. The boot is vast too, with lots of hooks and loops to hang your gear off. See? Useful.
The Yeti feels vast inside, despite a footprint about the size of a Ford Focus. Legroom is excellent, both front and rear, while headroom is so ample that you’d need to be a giant to have any complaints. Like Skoda’s other recent additions – notably the Superb – the interior feels of a quality that belies the Czech firm’s budget past, the fit, finish and materials comparable to its Volkswagen parent firm’s levels of quality.
It’s all simply laid out too and equally unfussy to use, although Skoda obviously takes its lead from VW by putting an unnecessary arm rest between front seats, that does little but hinder access to the handbrake. Otherwise there’s little to find fault with, the high seating position and firm yet comfortable seats making it a rather relaxing driving environment.
A wide range of engines will be offered, mated to two- and four-wheel drive transmissions, with five, six or seven gears. The latter number of cogs is only offered with the DSG twin-clutch automatic, mated to the 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that impressed us only a few weeks ago in the new Volkswagen Polo. It’s only available in front-wheel-drive form.
The lone petrol engine with all four wheels driven is the 1.8 TSI with 158bhp. Both units are smooth – the 1.2 TSI in particular – but in this market place diesels rule and Skoda offers an excellent selection.
Three 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesels with 108bhp, 138bhp and 168bhp complete the line-up. The 168bhp version is pointless, really, its extra power and marginal increase in torque over the 138bhp model simply not necessary. The same could be said further down the range, with the entry-level 108bhp unit having plenty of power and an ample 250Nm of torque. Skoda hasn’t yet published CO2 figures for the entry-level diesel, but it should be under the 159g/km that its 138bhp relative produces, while fuel consumption should also better its 6.1l/100km.
All the engines feel strong, which is good news for the Irish market where CO2 figures rule.
Choosing front- over four-wheel-drive will impact that too, but losing the marginal increase that the additional driven wheels create in CO2 output denies the Yeti much of its usefulness. Off-road it’s remarkably capable, the “off-road” button allowing you to descend slippery slopes in neutral with the brakes automatically controlling your speed.
Its wheel articulation, ground clearance and wheel-at-each-corner stance allow it to tackle tortuous terrain with ease.
You pay for its off-road ability on the road, with the Yeti rolling hard in bends, but the trade-off is brilliant ride quality. On the horrendous tarmac at the Slovenian launch event, the Yeti rode beautifully – its ability to soak up horrible bumps and lumps was demonstrated very ably on a section of gravel road that would easily have doubled up as a rally stage.
Not that you’d push the Yeti too hard on tarmac or off it, the chunky Skoda not being hugely polished dynamically. There’s plenty of understeer; back off and the rear feels like it wants to bounce around, the Yeti feeling a bit out of its depth when you ask it to change direction quickly.
But then that’s not the point of this new car; instead it excels at being comfortable – both thanks to the ride quality and sound dampening. And its usefulness, of course, which is something the Yeti is particularly good at. Unlike its driver in front of a camera.
Factfile Skoda Yeti
SKODA YETI 2-LITRE TDI 4X4
- Engine:2-litre turbodiesel; 139bhp @ 4,200rpm; 320Nm @ 1,750-2,500rpm
- Transmission:six-speed manual, four-wheel drive 0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds
- Top speed:190km/h
- CO2 emissions: 159g/km
- L/100km:6.1
- Price:TBA
SKODA YETI 1.2 TSI
- Engine:1.2-litre petrol; 104bhp @ 5,000rpm; 175Nm @ 1,500-3,500rpm
- Transmission:six-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
- 0-100km/h:TBA
- Top speed:TBA
- CO1 emissions:TBA
- L/100km:TBA
- Price:TBA