Nothing abominable about Skoda Yeti

Sep 14 2009 Chris Russon

MONSTER mysteries with a difference arrived at Loch Ness when Skoda turned up with its latest model.

The Yeti may share its name with a beast as elusive as Nessie but visitors to the Scottish tourist trap discovered this Yeti is very much for real.

It's Skoda's take on the new breed of crossover models such as the Nissan Qashqai and has just been put through its paces in the Highlands.

On sale from September 17 and priced from £13,725, the Yeti is a very practical all-rounder.

Available with two petrol engines or three variants of a two-litre diesel, the Yeti's real strength is four-wheel-drive which is available on more expensive versions priced from £17,150.

As such it is surprisingly capable off-road and top range Elegance models, which cost from £20,810, are fitted with a hill descent control system.

In the mud around Loch Ness, and even in the shallows of the loch itself, the Yeti proved itself a capable mud plugger.

The Yeti is based on Skoda's medium sized Octavia platform and the 4x4 system is the same as that used on the Octavia Scout.

With a Haldex clutch directing drive to the wheels that need it most, the system automatically works out the optimum traction for the conditions.

The hill descent control is unusual. Once engaged the Yeti's speed is restricted to a maximum of some 5mph which can be varied by dabbing either the brake or accelerator.

Linked into the ABS sensors it brakes the wheels on a slope but only when the car is in neutral. It is effective but not as straightforward as similar systems used by the more well known off-road manufacturers such as Toyota and Land Rover.

But the ability to go off-road is only one aspect of the Yeti's repertoire.

On the road it is more than competent. Having just tried the 140bhp diesel and 160bhp 1.8-litre turbo injection petrol engines fitted to higher grade models the Yeti offers plenty of performance.

Acceleration 0 to 60mph is sub ten seconds for both and top speeds are around 120mph. The engines are lively through the gears and the turbo petrol packs a nice punch.

Fuel economy from the diesel is an average of 46.3mph with emissions of 159g/km while the petrol engine averages 35.3mpg with CO2 output rated at 189g/km.

The diesel engine is available in three power outputs of 110, 140 and 170bhp while the entry level Yeti is powered by a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine which offers average fuel economy of 44.1mpg and emissions of 149.

The most economical version is the 110bhp diesel which can hit more than 53mpg with CO2 down to 139g/km.

The basic versions are fitted with air conditioning, remote control central locking and a trip computer while all but the entry-level Yetis come with electronic stability controls as standard plus an additional airbag offering protection for the driver's knees.

A touch screen controls the radio/CD player while satellite navigation is available as a £1,400 option. So is the VW group's automatic parking system at £500.

The Yeti's tall body makes for plenty of headroom inside and it's a full five seater. Luggage space is a minimum of 416 litres and the rear seats can tumble, fold and even be removed to create a maximum of 1,760 litres of space.

Handy restraint straps and hooks are fitted in the boot adding to the practicality while little touches such as a Yeti logo in the headlamps are unexpected styling tweaks.

The Yeti is roughly the same size as a Ford Focus but has a definite heavy duty look with body lines which are more conventional than many of its rivals.

Keenly priced and set to do the job in many ways, the Yeti has wide appeal for families who need something extra from their car without having to go for a full-blown SUV.