Loved the 1.8TSI Octavia (quiet, fast, economical enough, OK CO2 levels). Didn't like the high seatbelts in the back cutting in to my kids and my neck. Tried various seatbelt altering solutions but didn't like the idea of them. Then we all sat in a Yeti. Seatbelt position fantastic (eldest child can sit on a booster and belt crosses over in the right place) and light and spacious in the back. Problem: only petrol choice is a measily 1.2 TSI 105bhp or the nicer 160bhp 1.8TSI but in a 4x4. I don't want a 4x4 with the poor mpg and high CO2 rates. Nor do I want the more expensive noisier diesel - I don't do that many miles. Skoda Customer services said the range will not be extending in the near future but may later if there is an 'identified need'. Anyone else out there identifying this need too?

I was hoping for a 1.4TSI as fitted to Tiguan (2 & 4WD) unfortunately not.:(

Would have settled for the 1.8TSI 4x4 if it had the slightly lower CO2 output of the Octavia Scout model (Ved band I not J) and was cheaper to buy than the diesel models like in Europe, not as we have here priced between the 110 & 140 TDI's.:thumbdwn:

Funnily enough I read somewhere that the original Yeti concept was envisaged as 2WD based on the Roomster but public opinion switched it to 4WD which meant the Octavia platform and better for it too (no offence to the Roomster).

Personally I am a big fan of the Haldex 4WD system and will probably look at the 140 TDI CR Yeti, as the test car I travelled in (twice; front seat then rear seat) was much more refined than my previous 2.0 TDI PD Golf 4motion.

As for the 1.2TSI no personal experience of it obviously but I don't feel you should dismiss it out of hand. A very high tech engine that I reckon will surprise many people.

Read the other day that Audi are replacing the 1.6 in the A3 with this unit very shortly, to me that's an endorsement of it's potential.

Hi, I honestly wouldn't write off the 1.2 TSI although it only has 105 bhp it has 129 lb/ft from 1500 - 3500 rpm. All the reviews seem to agree its a really smooth and quite powerful engine. Plus the lack of 4wd equipment must mean it weighs quite a bit less that the 1.8 4x4 there may be less differnce in performance than you think. Try and get a test drive of it with the manual and dsg gear boxes.

David

Do not underestimate the 1.2 TSi, it produces its maximum torque of 175Nm from only 1,500 rpm. Coupled with refinement, low emissions & good economy, dismissing this unit purely on its small capacity would be foolhardy. All the TSi's really deliver, whether in 1.2 ,1.4 or 1.8 capacities.

Hi

Thanks for all the replies. The 1.2TSI would probably be just about OK for me but we've inherited a rather nice but impractical XK8 and so my husband will be getting rid of his 2.0 TDi SE A4 as the family car - we can only fit 2 cars on the drive. My Mazda is now 9 and a half and needs replacing as soon as possible. I've just about convinced him that he could drive a skoda called a Yeti but a 1.2 would be too much.....!

(I'd love a sticker in the XK8 saying 'my other car's a Yeti' though!)

By the way, our local Skoda dealer reckons they will sell many more 2WD than 4x4.

Always found this notion of the 2WD model being the biggest seller intriguing as you only have two engines to choose from both lower output units, although they are available in all trim levels.

With the 4x4 you get four options but the more capable units are limited to the more expensive trim levels.

Skoda have also indicated that they are not expecting to sell huge numbers, might be wrong but I think they indicated about 3000 units in the UK by the end of next year.

I am of the opinion that the UK Yeti is aimed at customers wanting a slightly more upmarket Roomster (again no offence to the Roomster) and those aspiring to a Freelander but don't want the cost of running one (remember Yeti has a similar off-road function to the Freelander).

This is based on comparing European spec's with ours. The UK Yetis have fewer engine and trim options in the middle ground but more luxury items like leather and large Alloys on the upper trim levels.

Hi

Thanks for all the replies. The 1.2TSI would probably be just about OK for me but we've inherited a rather nice but impractical XK8 and so my husband will be getting rid of his 2.0 TDi SE A4 as the family car - we can only fit 2 cars on the drive. My Mazda is now 9 and a half and needs replacing as soon as possible. I've just about convinced him that he could drive a skoda called a Yeti but a 1.2 would be too much.....!

(I'd love a sticker in the XK8 saying 'my other car's a Yeti' though!)

By the way, our local Skoda dealer reckons they will sell many more 2WD than 4x4.

Get him to take a test drive when the 1.2 is available but don't tell him what size the engine is, it will just say 'TSI' on the back

There does seem to be a big gap in the Yeti range betweent he 1.2 and 1.8 Tsi engines. It does surprise me that there isn't a 1.4 Tsi available to fill the gap.

Get him to take a test drive when the 1.2 is available but don't tell him what size the engine is, it will just say 'TSI' on the back

And that it is turbo-charged. It's moving away from where the cubic volume is the measure of power.

Loved the 1.8TSI Octavia (quiet, fast, economical enough, OK CO2 levels). Didn't like the high seatbelts in the back cutting in to my kids and my neck. Tried various seatbelt altering solutions but didn't like the idea of them. Then we all sat in a Yeti. Seatbelt position fantastic (eldest child can sit on a booster and belt crosses over in the right place) and light and spacious in the back. Problem: only petrol choice is a measily 1.2 TSI 105bhp or the nicer 160bhp 1.8TSI but in a 4x4. I don't want a 4x4 with the poor mpg and high CO2 rates. Nor do I want the more expensive noisier diesel - I don't do that many miles. Skoda Customer services said the range will not be extending in the near future but may later if there is an 'identified need'. Anyone else out there identifying this need too?

I agree. Skoda haven't got their marketing quite right yet with the Yeti. Most prospective urban 4x4 owners I suspect are attracted to the chunkiness and driving position rather than 4x4 capabilities. Many of these drivers don't want to be limited to smaller engines either. Nissan have got it right with the Qashqai in that they recognised 2wd was their biggest market, and thus have made 2wd available in pretty much all specs and engines. A similar approach is being taken with the VW Tiguan. In contrast if you want a more powerful Yeti you need to move up to the SE spec (c. £1500 more than S) and another £1650 for what for many is a superfluous 4wd capability.