We review the Skoda Yeti Outdoor from price to economy and all its features

HOW do you double the value of a Skoda? Fill it with petrol! Geddit?

Well, no, probably not – as the old Skoda jokes don’t really work any more.

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There was a time when the last car you’d want to be seen in was a Skoda, but those days  - thanks to new owner VW - are gone.

When the Skoda Yeti arrived at my door I couldn’t wait to get in it and give it a go.

And nor could my dad. So who would end up loving the Yeti the most?

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Huge... The 4x4 is no laughing matter

I had never driven one before, but I’d been told they’re good cars these days, so I wanted to find out for myself.

I’m twenty-eight years old. At my age do I want to be driving a Skoda?

The Yeti is a big, imposing motor with its bold front grille and low front bumper, it looks aggressive and is anything but a joke.

Out on the road I began to notice just how many other motorists were in the Yeti club. There’s loads of them knockin' around. Sales have topped 300,000 so they're clearly getting something right.

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Kitted out... Additional extras include a rear view camera and electric seats

I was at the wheel of an automatic, 2 litre diesel engine, so it was a walk in the park to drive. There’s an ever-so-slight delay between flooring it and when the engine kicks in, but the acceleration is still good.

But, I’m twenty-eight years old.

At my age do I want to be driving a Skoda? The answer is probably not, even if I was enjoying the ride. It doesn’t look like a cool car; it’s not the sort of motor I’d choose to pick up a date in if I were out to impress. But it's reliable, and delivers 44.8 mpg - which can't be bad.

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Search for and buy new and used Skoda Yetis on sunmotors.co.uk

My dad, on the other hand, thought it was great. In fact, he loved it. It’s easy for him to get in and out of, which is the first thing he looks for in a new car now a days. The electric adjustable seats and the high driving position made him feel like the King of the road.

Importantly, the engine noise is low. I worried that driving a big diesel would sound more like a tractor than a 4x4, but it’s not the case.

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Cool or not?... The Yeti was a bigger hit with my old man than me

Prices start around the £16,000 mark but fully kitted out it’ll set you back £30,040. That’s if you opt for a metallic paint job (£525), electrically adjustable driver’s seat (£535) and rear view parking camera (£250) to name a few of the additional options.

The double sunroof opens wide enough to almost make you feel like you're driving a convertible on a sunny day.

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Spacious... There's plenty of room in it, that's for sure

There is clever rear seating which allows all three seats to fold flat separately that gives a healthy 510 litres of boot space that goes up to 1,760 with the rear seats flat. Although the boot is heavy and opening and closing it is hard work.

There are four trim levels S, SE, Elegance and top-of-the-range Laurin & Klement but even the entry-level S is well equipped.

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Last laugh... The Yeti is a great crossover vehicle

Skoda has gone from a car brand to poke fun at to a desirable badge. While it may not be convincing many twenty-something's like me, with sales rocketing it’s other age groups that are making Skoda cool.

And as the jokes dry up it’s Skoda who's laughing now.