Devil's Chariot

These guys (PUL) seem to have a good reputation on other make forums that I belong to

I didn't really start this thread to spark off a Yeti vs Tiguan willy-waving contest but having read some of the comments I feel it appropriate to chuck in my two bob's worth. These are personal opinions based on what I want from a car and comparisons are made based on 23 months / 56k miles in Reggie vs 2 weeks and 1k miles in Tiggywinkle I'm now driving a 140PS 6 spd whereas before it was 170PS 6 spd: yes this Tiguan feels a lot slower off the mark and you do have to change up gears much later e.g. into 6th at 40 in the Yeti vs 50 in the Tiguan The steering in the Yeti felt sharper, was lighter at slow speeds and the turning circle felt much smaller Economy wise, Yeti was doing 47-48 mpg before all 4 tyres were changed from Pirellis to Michelins in July and it dropped dramatically to 41-43mpg; the Tiguan is doing 47mpg so far on local runs whilst shod with Conti 4x4 M+S boots. Electronic handbrake plus hill hold is a real boon in stop-start traffic; it works very well on this model (unlike on my previous 2 Passats). Boot size is bigger and more useable as all 3 rear seats slide forward (unlike the Yeti where only the outer 2 do). Dull? Not sure what is meant by this? Yes it is slower off the mark but I just adjusted my driving style accordingly. The interior is dark (it is black) compared to the Yeti's Gobi colour scheme but I do have to say the Tiguan is bolted together much better and so far I have none of the annoying rattles and squeaks that plagued the Yeti. Things I really miss already - not having the bendy Xenons; the light output of the Tiguan's halogen bulbs is pretty poor and will hopefully be sorted by upgraded bulbs before too much longer. Anything else, errrm - no not really. Things I may miss - all the handy hooks in the boot, the electrically adjustable seats and the cheeky looks of the original Yeti, the Off-Road button and Hill Descent Control Things I like about the Tiguan - despite both being on 17" wheels the ride in the Tiguan is definitely more "refined"; less road or wind noise, less direct transmission of bumps etc to me poor old back! The bigger, more useable boot space and the EPB / Auto-hold So, overall not a lot to choose between the two. I really loved my Yeti but the Tiguan is rapidly growing on me! At the end of the day these are both company cars, the tax burden is no different but I get a car that is slightly younger, (seems to) cost less to run, has fewer miles on the clock and will be more suitable for family holidays. As I said at the beginning, not a "yah boo sucks to you" post but a comparison based on personal experience and needs.

Well after all the chat about "what will tempt you out of your Yeti" I'm afraid I have been lured by the dark side! Reggie has gone off to earn a living as the bird control van at an airfield and I have been re-allocated a Tiggywinkle It has been fun on this forum and most educational, especially in the year before I acquired Reggie - certainly helped me make my mind up about wanting a Yeti. I'm going to be hanging around for a while as I'll be looking for a Citigo soon (to teach the kids to drive in).

Shocking but not surprising

I agree with you on the Rapid; just had one for a day whilst the Yeti was having its AC fixed. Dubious at first about the 1.2 TSi engine but apart from one really long, steep hill seemed fine; best of all got 58mpg on a 110 mile commute.

I couldn't afford a Minor or Ford :p The A35 was about 23 years old when I bought it for £35, it had 6 months tax and test and got thrown away when those ran out (as the floor had fallen through I didn't even bother with trying for a new MOT)

My AC has just packed up too; only 21 months/52,000 mile old. According to the nice man at Skoda it is a known fault with the condenser as described above and will be replaced under warranty but not for another 2 weeks due to demand on spares!!

My A35 "de luxe" model came with windscreen demister as standard

TPS has saved me twice with slow leaks now in 21 months; wouldn't be without it

Just returned from a 3 week road trip all round Germany and my oh my isn't the Yeti getting popular over there (especially in the very South of the country)

Mine has done it since new although it seems to come from the area just above (or to the side of the steering wheel) - there was an earlier thread describing similar experiences about a year ago(?). it was returned to the dealers who dismantled and fixed it (apparently a loose wiring tie wrap thingy) but the noise came back again after another couple of weeks and has been there ever since. Seems to be not temperature dependent but aggravated by the road surface.

Mine seems to go up and down like a dog's whatsit (MPG that is ) without rhyme nor reason so I wouldn't worry about a one-off ...............

Only works with Xenons??

.............. you must have missed me! I travelled up the M6 (part of my regular journey from Gatwick to Prestwick) and back on the 8th

........... very nearly at 24k (since new in mid-Oct 12) and "improved" from 43.8mpg to 46.6mpg Variation from maxidot to real world seems to grow as mpg increases??? :wonder: