We review the Skoda Yeti from price to economy and all its features
NO one ever referred to a Yeti as a beautiful creature, yet they do have a certain rugged appeal.
That said, Skoda is really challenging our taste with this one. A few years ago I voted the Nissan Cube the ugliest car ever made, but the Yeti gives it a run for its money.
Odd look... Skoda Yeti
It's a great big boxy-looking thing and about as aerodynamic as the Hispania racing F1 car from a few years ago that broke the record for the most Grand Prix starts without scoring a point.
If the shape isn't bad enough, I have no idea what colour our test car is either - although I do know it's the same shade as the stuff that is streaming out of my poorly baby daughter's nose at the moment.
The leather seats, air conditioning, sat nav, and colour-coded interior won't set your heart racing
Of course, it's difficult to make a car with accommodating head height and a practical driving position look handsome but what you lose in looks you do make up for in space.
Lift the boot and you could probably get ten of me piled up in the back, making it one of the most practical cars on the road.
Volkswagen DNA runs throughout this vehicle. Even by the sound of the door closing, you know you are in the presence of quality engineering.
Every time I see someone driving a Skoda, I think: "You know what you are doing, because you opted for functionality over the name." In this case, I'll extend those sentiments to its corporate looks, too. So I totally understand anyone who goes out to buy one.
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I also have some respect for the chunky touches - the solid plastic grille, the chrome-effect rear-view mirrors - because the Yeti, especially in its outdoor guise, is trying really hard to tell you about its 4x4 capabilities.
The leather seats, air conditioning, sat nav, and colour-coded interior won't set your heart racing but if you were Mr Incredibly Sensible, of all the cars here, you'd probably go and buy this one.
I'd urge caution on the price tag
It's one of the few on test without an automatic start-stop button, but they've spent the money elsewhere and I think we can just about live with turning the key.
On the road, I don't think the 1.2-litre engine is quite powerful enough. Accelerating through second gear is sluggish and you'd certainly notice its lack of poke on the motorway.
On the plus side, it has really solid steering that gives you total control and the feeling of being planted to the Tarmac - perfect for both on-road and off-road driving.
It is incredibly difficult to design a car that works for driving to the shops, collecting the kids from school, yet can cope with sliding around on the ice and snow when you take the family on a week's skiing holiday. Yet on this occasion it's fair to say Skoda has achieved it.
I'd urge caution on the price tag, though. The Yeti starts at £16,600 but while you still get a fair amount of car for that, Skoda does not need a reputation for being expensive.
It could have worked harder to make the back less cube-like and smoothed out those rough Yeti features but just buckle up and accept it's not built for boy racers.
Key Facts
- MPG: 46.3 - 61.4
- BOOT SPACE: 416 litres
- SAFETY: 5 stars (NCAP)
- 0-62mph: 8.4 - 12.1 secs
- CO2: 119 - 184g/km