Hi

I've trawled through most of the threads here and I've found this forum to be an excellent source of information. I currently have a 1.4TSI Touran which I'm thinking about replacing with either a Yeti (1.2TSI) or a Tiguan (1.4TSI 2wd). Like some others, what I would really like is a 1.4TSI 122ps 2wd Yeti because I really like the 1.4TSI engine and the Yeti seems to have most of the advantages otherwise. So far I've only sat in a Yeti in the showroom and it all seemed very familiar - a bit like an updated Touran but with cowls on the speedo and rev-counter.

I wondered if anyone has replaced a Touran with a Yeti already and I'd be grateful for their thoughts. The only downside with the Yeti i've found so far is that the front passenger seat doesn't appear to capable of folding flat for long loads (e.g. 2 metre fence post or surfboard) like the Touran or Tiguan SE. However I wondered if it is possible to get arounf this by taking out the rear seats and then reclining the front passenger backrest right back? There would need to be a couple of blankets or similar to protect the seat but would this work?

I had three Tourans as company cars when I worked for VW. I currently have a Yeti on order. From the one test drive that I have had I would say that the Yeti is more refined than the Touran, has a higher quality trim and is more fun to drive. On the other hand the Touran has the edge over the Yeti on practicality. I would only consider a Touran over a Yeti if ultimate load carrying ability was of most importance. The Tiguan is a good car but the ride is firm and they aren't cheap.

I don't think the Yeti is the same class of car - so you can't compare. There would be some loss on space, but not much on the front seats. The gains would be a less dull car that is cheap and practical. Tiguan's have discussed on here before - i like them a lot. But they don't do a DSG box - they're also not good on fuel and the specification is really miserly. I don't think VW are selling as many as they hoped. Skoda's Elegance specification has heated seats, xenons, parking sensors to name but a few - add those options on a Tiguan and your looking at a £25k+ vehicle.

Edited 29 January, 201016 yr by Krooked

Iv'e driven both the 140bhp tiguan and the yeti, I like the look of the tiguan but the yeti is more compact (8" shorter) and feels lighter, just that bit nicer to drive and cheaper too.

Thanks for the replies.

I thnk I can manage without the Touran's space and I don't need seven seats anymore. I think I'll have to do a back to back test drive of a 1.2TSI Yeti and a 1.4TSI Tiguan. My local Skoda dealer only has a 1.8TSI Yeti demonstrator at the moment but is going to let me know when he has a 1.2. Although the Yeti is cheaper, according to Whatcar the Tiguan holds its price better so the cost of ownership over 3 years or so might be much the same (SE Tiguan vs Elegance Yeti) but the Yeti still has more 'extras'. I see the 2wd Tiguan comes with Stop/Start (Bluemotion) now so there is only one VED band difference from the 1.2 Yeti. I still favour the Yeti at the moment, not least because of those extras. Also the rear seating is more flexible being foldable, stowable and removable.

Although the Yeti is cheaper, according to Whatcar the Tiguan holds its price better so the cost of ownership over 3 years or so might be much the same (SE Tiguan vs Elegance Yeti) but the Yeti still has more 'extras'.

I don't think Whatcar are the most reliable with their secondhand values. Also, the Yeti is in a new market for Skoda and that makes it more difficult to predict secondhand values.

My view is that the Yeti will do quite well as far as residuals are concerned and although there are plenty of discounts available, there are even bigger ones available on the Tiguan now. Skoda are increasingly being seen as VW quality on the cheap rather than a cheap brand full stop and the Yeti has received some very good press reports.