Expatman

Not what the figures say: Drivers seat height from road (min, max) Skoda Kamiq : 589-639mm VW T-Cross : 635-678mm VW T-Roc : 605-680mm VW Taigo : 626-672mm Skoda Yeti : 646-699mm (All Figures taken from RIDC database) The T-Cross lowest drivers seat adjustment is only 4mm lower than the Kamiq’s highest setting and the Yeti’s lowest setting is actually 7mm higher than the highest setting on the Kamiq. This is exactly what road test drivers report, that the Kamiq seat height is more hatchback than crossover/SUV. Talking with my local Skoda dealer they admitted to me that this was a problem with customers being deterred and choosing to look for something with higher seat height. Kamiq is a great car but it does not offer the higher seating position that many people are looking for. It is no good for my wife who needs a higher seating position to ease exit and entry because of a back problem.

I just wish that on buying a new car I could specify the tyres, or at least, have All Season tyres as a cost option. Now when I buy a new car it’s a case of trying to get the dealer to swap the OEM tyres for All Season tyres of my choosing. Anyone found a dealer willing to do that?

Using the RIDC website I now see that my Yeti’s seats at their lowest level are higher than the Kamiq’s at their highest level. So that pretty much rules out the Kamiq. Strange that Skoda using the same subframe as the VW T-Cross chose to make such a low riding vehicle. The T-Cross seat height is not quite so high as my Yeti but there are only a few mm in it. Problem is there are many aspects of the T-Cross which are frankly inferior to my current Yeti!!

How do you find the ride height of the Kamiq? I currently have a Yeti and looking for a replacement. All the road tests of the Kamiq seem to complain that the ride height is more hatchback than SUV/Crossover and you lose the high view you have with competitors like the VW T-Cross or T-Roc. My wife has a bad back so needs a higher seating position to aid entry and exit.

I switched from swapping summer to winter tyre/wheels and vice versa twice a year to all season tyres 3 years ago, and for the same reasons as you- older bones! I chose Goodyear Vector All seasons and have been very pleased with them as an all year round tyre. I am sure that winter tyres are better in very difficult winter conditions and summer tyres are better in hot dry conditions but, honestly, unless you drive on the edge and considering UK weather All Seasons are a very good choice.

Yes, going to get it fully tested when car goes in for service in New Year. At the moment it seems okay, headlight bright as soon as started, stop/start works fine (but I usually turn it off anyway - stopping and starting hurts my engineering sympathy for the motor! - continuing to put on Ctec charger once a month to fully charge and condition (whatever that means?), hopefully will get another years out of it as I will change the car then. Problem I have is finding something (anything) to replace the Yeti with which has same attraction and benefits. Most modern alternatives are just so dull.

My 2017 Yeti 1.2 Tsi DSG (stop/start) is now coming up for 6 years old with the original battery, so far no apparent battery problems but should I be planning replace it before the winter hits? I know I could just carry on and wait for it to die but it’s such a pita then to get into it one morning and find the battery dead - inevitably it will be when I need to be somewhere urgently! What experience have others had of the likely life of a battery and did you get good clear warning signs before it died? Thanks

I noticed today that both front tyres (Goodyear Vector All Seasons Gen2) the tread seems to be slightly breaking up, mainly around the outside 1/3 but also on the inside 1/3. It looks like bits of the rubber to a depth of 2-3 mm have come away and in other places the top 0.5mm tread seems to be separating - maybe 6mm long slivers. There is no evidence of feathering typical with tracking problems and the pitting is not too extensive but is evident around the whole of the circumference. Breaking up is nowhere near deep enough to go right through the tread. Approx 5mm of tread left. Tyres are 3 years old. No evidence of break up on rear tyres and all the tyres were replaced at the same time. Yeti is 2017 1.2 DSG. Only suggestion I have heard so far is a faulty batch of tyres or tracking out. But I have seen the results of bad tracking before and this doesn’t look like that at all. Anyone encountered this before or any ideas what’s happening?

I've got the same problem as you - I have a 2017 Yeti SEL Drive 1.2 DSG with all the bells and whistles bought to replace a 2012 Yeti. Great car but will be 6 years old next year so reluctantly will be time for a change in 2023 before anything happens to spoil my memories of a faultless car! I also looked at the Niro but it was bit too big for what we need so then looked at the Kia Soul - has a hint of the look of the Yeti to it and would be my first EV so attracted to the longish 280 mile range. However, Kia have paused manufacture of the Soul though Kia tells me it will be reintroduced “soon”. I am guessing they are concentrating on the new Niro and when the Soul is reintroduced it will have a few Niro style enhancements - and an increased price no doubt. Finding a replacement for the Yeti is impossible so I thought I would make the break into EV’s.

If it’s the same type of sunroof fitted to the Yeti then leaks were a common problem - in fact there seems to be a problem with many VAG cars fitted with sunroofs. I am sure improvements are being made but in 60 years of motoring I have learnt that sooner or later sunroofs leak! That’s why I gave up on sunroofs when A/C became standard. Fingers crossed the repair works and you are okay for the future.

Problem with all new cars seems to be extended delivery times, and mostly the dealer can’t give you an accurate date anyway. Prices of second hand cars are high mainly because new cars are so difficult to get. Only option is to identify a number of new cars you might like then check the dealers to see what there is available from stock - but inevitably you will have to compromise on exact model/spec. Alternative is to soldier on with the car you have until supply issues ease - late 2023? - but then second hand value of your existing car will drop. As you say 1st World problem but still frustrating.

Very strange I too have one of the last made Yeti’s a 2017 1.2 SEL Drive and the maxi dot shows speed on KPH. Perhaps a quick trip to the dealer is needed because if it reads MPH it is not right.

I have always used E5 premium petrol (Sainsburys best!) in my 2017 1.2 Tsi DSG Yeti and have averaged 44.5 MPG since new, MPG measured on brimful-to-brimful basis over 39,000 miles. I thought I would try the E10 petrol when introduced, both for green credentials and price saving. After 2 full tankfuls MPG increased to 39.2 MPG with a noticeable difference in smoothness and power, particularly torque on hills. That is a drop of over 10% so have converted back to E5 and although more expensive to buy on a miles per gallon basis it is still slightly cheaper than the E10 with better performance, smoothness and driveability. Has anyone else any similar experience?

Don’t give up! Contact the MD and fully detail and explain your case, and certainly point out you own another Skoda as well.

Don't give up - complain directly to Skoda(UK) MD - you can find his name on Google. Remain polite but firm and don’t give up because initial response is usually “not our problem” but if you persist you have a good chance of them making a contribution to repair.

Remember there is a brand new Niro announced and due for sale summer/autumn 2022. Should either get a very good deal on existing models or get in first to buy the new model. I, like you, am still pondering what to get to replace my Yeti. So far I haven’t found anything which ticks all the boxes but Mk2 VW T-Roc seems a possible alternative as does the new Honda HR-V hybrid. Some questions as to engine noise under acceleration with the HR-V so I am waiting for a long road test to find out for myself. Similarly waiting for Mk2 T-Rocs to be available for test drive, T-Roc is said to be one of the most comfortable cars in it's class with smooth ride and a particularly quiet refined ride. Possibly the 1.5 DSG Style model might do.

If it does need work to DSG then, at first, ask politely for Skoda to make a large contribution to the cost - easier if car has been serviced by dealer from new - then if that doesn’t get anywhere start complaining more loudly and LOUDER to the dealer and Skoda(UK) MD. Just keep complaining and someone will listen!!

It was also exacerbated by the Covid crisis when people were less willing to travel on public transport so bought second hand cars to get around in.

Worth looking at the new 2022 model VW T-Roc when available which should be in the next couple of weeks. Much improved interior and is probably closest thing to a Yeti. VW T-Cross is downgraded because of poor interior fittings, though I wonder if VW will upgrade it soon like the T-Roc and new Taigo. VW have come under an avalanche of criticism for the poor interiors of their smaller Crossovers and now seem to have got the message and are upgrading with Mk2 models.

RIDC is the website to use to compare seating heights - https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/car-search You can search by Make and then by model so you can compare your existing car seating height with any car you are thinking of buying.

Maybe in Skoda’s view but practically it didn’t. The Karoq is overall a much larger vehicle and can’t really be seen as a replacement for the Yeti. I am not alone in that view just look at the posts in forums from many Yeti owners who are having the same problem as me in identifying a proper replacement.

There are many of us with Yeti’s who are finding it a difficult vehicle to replace. Kamiq might be the “obvious" choice but has a low seating position and is really a slightly jacked up hatchback. Why Skoda didn’t make the Kamiq taller with a higher seating position I will never know. The VW T-Cross is based on the same architecture and has a considerably higher seating position and probably the best like-for-like replacement for the Yeti, however, its cabin is very disappointing with hard plastics and no availability of the options you could get with the Yeti - heated windscreen, electric memory seats, leather etc. I note that VW have now upgraded the T-Roc interior with soft touch dash etc because of the torrent of criticism from the press and motorists so, maybe, the T-Cross will be upgraded next. In the meantime I have narrowed choice to the new T-Roc (ICE only) and the new Honda HR-V (hybrid) - waiting to see both models in the metal and test driving them before finally deciding.

Top centre of windscreen. Only noticed when I had a new windscreen fitted and technician pointed it out to me.

I feel for you. Sadly in my almost 60 years of motoring experience I know it is best to steer well clear of sunroofs. Eventually they all leak and when you think of the torsional stresses the frames are under in driving on our rutted and pot holed roads it is amazing they do so well as they do. Roads surfaces are only going to get worse, much worse, as the years go by and we have to expect that B & C roads will soon be nothing more than rough tracks driven at your peril. Sad but that’s the way it’s going, no local government has the money to maintain roads and the green anti car lobby is quite happy for our roads to return to the 1800’s tracks they once were. Get used to it folks, life is going to be a boot crashing into your face forever.

But of course you are right - 2 high spec Yeti’s both with 16” wheels direct from factory!! Heads down.......