I've been thinking about some of the VAG brothers to the Yeti, and how a rational person might go about justifying the rather large price differences between the Czech and its German cousins.

By my quick reckoning, using a 170 TDI Elegance Yeti as a benchmark, an equivalent spec'd VW Tiguan would be c.£6k more than the Yeti and an Audi Q5 £10k more.

Admittedly both are slightly bigger than the Yeti, and I gather from another thread, built on a different, more expensive platform. However, given that I'm sure that the quality of fit and finish is probably to the same group wide standards, then what really what do you get extra by paying your £6 and £10k extra???

I suppose the answer is, the respective badges and the associated bragging and kudos in the golf club car park. Surely that can be the only real justification there is, and that's where the premium comes from. But is that really worth £10,000+ to someone? Maybe it is.

Having owned various Audi's, they are lovely places to be in which I can imagine goes some of the way to justify the premium, but the Yeti is hardly an uninviting place and isn't that far behind in terms of ambience, it really isn't.

It's also interesting looking at the comparative price of options between the models. The panoramic sunroof in the Tiguan is the same as the Yeti's at £850, but the Q5 is £1,100 extra, 30% higher. Why?? It must be exactly the same parts. I suppose the answer is that Audi customers will pay more, and that's why!

I suppose the answer is that Audi customers will pay more, and that's why!

I think you've answered your own question there. And VW customers wont pay as big a premium as Audi drivers.

Actually, I can see the Q5 being worth a good part of the extra, but not the Tiguan.

Audis do drip with material quality and that will be worth much of the extra money for some, however, I would put the Yeti easily on a par with the Tiguan for quality and maybe slightly ahead (and I am a VW fan). I also struggle to see why anyone would buy a Passat estate over the new Superb estate; it is a cracking wagon by all accounts.

The badge is everything to some people. I have a relative who knows the Yeti would tick every box he has. It really would be perfect for him and he knows it. However he works in an office where BMW rules and he wont accept the stick he would get for having a Skoda, yes it still happens. So now he is going to lease a BMW and add £100 a month of his own money instead of leasing a high spec Yeti SE within his allowance. I drove a BMW X1 with him and then the next day tested a Yeti. The Yeti is a far nicer drive and the interior felt just as solid and classy. The only advantage the BMW had was boot size, no I am not going there on this thread. In no way could that justify the extra cost over the superior drive of the Yeti.

For him and his work colleagues it is worth paying extra for BMW, Audi or Mercedes. If you were one of those mfrs why wouldn't you take advantage of such stupidity and charge extra for the privelege? For those who say a Skoda is a poor mans VW or Audi it should really read that a Skoda is the smart mans VW or Audi.

Incidentally, I am not saying here that Skoda is better than VW or Audi. I think they each offer something different but all now offer very high quality and that is the key.

Edited 19 February, 201016 yr by Harvey1512

The badge is everything to some people. I have a relative who knows the Yeti would tick every box he has. It really would be perfect for him and he knows it. However he works in an office where BMW rules and he wont accept the stick he would get for having a Skoda, yes it still happens. So now he is going to lease a BMW and add £100 a month of his own money instead of leasing a high spec Yeti SE within his allowance. I drove a BMW X1 with him and then the next day tested a Yeti. The Yeti is a far nicer drive and the interior felt just as solid and classy. The only advantage the BMW had was boot size, no I am not going there on this thread. In no way could that justify the extra cost over the superior drive of the Yeti.

For him and his work colleagues it is worth paying extra for BMW, Audi or Mercedes. If you were one of those mfrs why wouldn't you take advantage of such stupidity and charge extra for the privelege? For those who say a Skoda is a poor mans VW or Audi it should really read that a Skoda is the smart mans VW or Audi.

Incidentally, I am not saying here that Skoda is better than VW or Audi. I think they each offer something different but all now offer very high quality and that is the key.

I agree.

I live in a part of the country where Audi's, BMW's and Merc's outnumber VW's and it would be very easy to "follow the heard" and head for one of those dealerships when my Octavia is due for change in a few months time. However, I rather like driving something a bit different and in the price bracket I'm looking at (and can afford), Skodas fit the bill.

I am slighlty worried though that once the wife gets her Yeti in a week or so's time we might look like an owners club meet, but I guess we can live with that.

Harvey1512,

It is difficult to understand why people make some decisions. Fashion and wanting to be like the rest is what society has developed into or has it always been like that. He obviously thinks what his chums think and say is important to him and maybe it just a way of getting on in the office and perhaps for him that is the best way forward. One only has to look around these pages to see what a reaction their is to something that is different from the norm. This is particularly so in young males. One would have thought that being different should mark someone out as a thinker, possibly useful but that is what sets people off, it makes them feel threatened, uncomfortable and hence the adverse reaction. It is much the same with criticism of a car type particularly on a one make forum. Many of the older guys may just agree or disagree perhaps, debate a point but are not overly concerned, while many younger males get all hot and bothered, defensive, abusive even, trying to drum up an adverse reaction amongst their peers. Its safety in numbers a clannish huddling together, it is a form of bullying. Mostly they can not help their knee jerk reaction, it will be something that they may grow out of possibly. Most people do not put a lot of thought into it so just go with the flow, standing out makes a target. You have done your best but just leave him to it it is a waste of energy otherwise, you will not change the decision just cause further conflict.

I have not driven the BMW X1, I like and have driven a BMW X3 3.0SE auto and was very impressed with its sharp handling and comfortable firm ride, no wallowing or noticeable leaning. I thought it well put together. It was a recent used example and did not have HID lights or I may have been interested, though I would have preferred a manual. It was expensive but then so is everything on a BMW forecourt. How was the X1? It should have very good handling and so on.

Edited 19 February, 201016 yr by Anthony 1

Anthony, Don't get me wrong the BMW was a very nice car but it was more sluggish than a Yeti and it did wallow a little around corners. It is a big car and it felt it. If you were doing a lot of motorway driving then it would be a wonderful place to be, solid and classy. I also do a reasonable amount of country lane driving and so I was conscious of how the BMW coped on those types of road and the answer was not ideal. I have not driven a car of that size before and was also a little worried about parking in car parks, supermarkets etc. Interestingly the day my brother in law took it back it had snowed and despite being 4WD it did not cope well. That convinced him that the X1 was not right for him, he is now going for a 3 Series tourer and I have convinced him to buy a set of proper winter tyres to cope with the snow in future years. If you like a big car then the X1 may be the car for you but the Yeti felt sharper and more manageable with the same internal cabin space.

My brother in law knows the situation is daft and he laughs at it himself. He can see the stupidity but goes with the flow. There is no conflict, we have had great fun looking at different cars and found the right cars for each of us. I just happen to be getting one at a much cheaper price, he is paying for a badge and I am not. Luckily for him he gets paid more than I do, has no kids and so has the money to waste.

I saw a funny sketch relevant to this discussion a couple of years ago - A couple walked into a florist and asked to look at bouquets. The florist showed them a selection and quote £15, £20, £25 for various styles. "Is this a special occasion" asked the florist. It is for a wedding came the reply. Ah, then you need to look at these flowers. Opening a folder the florist showed a selection of bouquets priced at £40, £50, £60. The man looked at the flowers in the shop and in the folder and noticed they were the same. He mentioned this to the florist. "Ah, but these are WEDDING flowers sir". Subsitute this for Skoda v Audi/BMW etc and you get the gist. It made me smile anyway.

As stated on my initial post, I am replacing my Audi TT Mk II with a Skoda Yeti - a surprising move to more than a few no doubt. Of course, the image that's put across from driving a sexy, sleek Audi sports coupe is going to be very different from that of a Skoda 4x4 and I will have to accept that the Yeti will provide me with a very different set of attributes. However, I don't think I'm going to feel that much more humble once people set their eyes on the beauty I intend to be driving around in - a fully loaded Black Elegance CR 170 with all the trimmings plus a couple of extras from a German styling company. The badge is worth a lot to some people, the look of the car and it's purpose is the most important to me. As a compact 4x4 SUV, my Yeti (when it comes) will hold its own to any others on the market looks and performance-wise and will provide me the ability to throw all my outdoor kit plus mountain bike inside the car and go off almost anywhere without costing a fortune in running costs. Paying an extra £10,000 for that and just a better looking badge on the front and back just doesn't seem worth it. That £10,000 will be going towards a Mazda MX-5 next year (I will have the best of both worlds then!)

The badge is everything to some people.

Well i was at a tyre fitters the other day and two lads there about 17 said my car was sic . So attitudes are changing . I had a lexus before .

Edited 19 February, 201016 yr by bluvrs2

The X1 must be a disappointment then, especially considering its far higher price. It is strange though most BMW's that I have driven have handled well. That obviously is not allays the case then. It is always interesting to read about other peoples experiences. I have no manufacturing loyalty and do not care what badge it displays, just try to buy what I consider best for me at a particular time using what ever criteria I think important or relevant. The Yeti is a remarkable piece of machinery, certainly I feel the one that I am interested in the 170CR. I feel that it is difficult to match. It has a very well sorted interior pleasant to be in. It has excellent handling and more than a very good ride. The equipment specification is very good and it is a pleasure to be in with high specification materials. Just seen as a crossover it is excellent or as a fast hatch it is more than very good. It is quite remarkable I feel, standing head and shoulders above most of the rest. I can see how easily it might be to change from a TT to a Yeti, that would not be the case with many other vehicles of its type if any. I thought that the handling was so good with firm but not hard springs, very well damped and controlled, that if it was revealed that Lotus had put some input into the chassis design and handling, I could very easily beleive it.

that is not to say that it is perfect, well for me at least. I have issues with wheels/tyres, and instrument cluster I think that is about it.

VAG are playing the badge snobbery game that British Leyland used to try to play, the only difference is that their more successful at it.

I have never owned an Audi but did go and take a sit in the Q5 - beautiful interior, really nice place to be.....but is it 10k (thats base spec Q5 compared to reasonable spec Yeti) nicer than the Yeti - no freakin way!!

In my opinion the Yeti (and Skoda overall) is excellent value considering the quality.

Our other cars are BMW's - now, upon first inspection the quality of the interiors seems high. Having lived with many they are not - they invariably squeek and rattle...doesn't bother me too much because I buy them for the excellent engines and handling.

Our previous 4x4 was a Freelander - surprisingly (to some maybe) very very high quality, would recommend one. However its quality is no better than Skoda and unless you really need its mudplugging - "full on" - off road ability I can't see why someone would pay more for one than a Yeti.

I honestly believe Skoda have hit the nail on head with this car, great package (shut up about the boot everyone), great balance of cost and quality!

Edited 19 February, 201016 yr by octy888

...plus a couple of extras from a German styling company

Ooooh, what are you getting, and where from ?

I have never owned an Audi but did go and take a sit in the Q5 - beautiful interior, really nice place to be.....but is it 10k (thats base spec Q5 compared to reasonable spec Yeti) nicer than the Yeti - no freakin way!!

In my opinion the Yeti (and Skoda overall) is excellent value considering the quality.

Our other cars are BMW's - now, upon first inspection the quality of the interiors seems high. Having lived with many they are not - they invariably squeek and rattle...doesn't bother me too much because I buy them for the excellent engines and handling.

Our previous 4x4 was a Freelander - surprisingly (to some maybe) very very high quality, would recommend one. However its quality is no better than Skoda and unless you really need its mudplugging - "full on" - off road ability I can't see why someone would pay more for one than a Yeti.

I honestly believe Skoda have hit the nail on head with this car, great package (shut up about the boot everyone), great balance of cost and quality!

Fully agree with the above comments.

I have owned several Audis and they have been great. However none have had better 'fit and finish' than the Yeti and none have offered a better driving experience, somewhat different but not better and I actually prefer the ride of the Yeti.

This is a great car at an affordable price, but isn't democracy wonderful, if you want to pay more for other peoples perception of you, you can.

I can remember when VAG took over the old Skoda company, and then they made a statement (not in the public domain then) that they saw the Group range going from Audi at the top, then VW, then SEAT, with Skoda at the bottom. All had their own marketing stratergy to suit their "perceived" market sector, however now I think that the waters have muddied!!

Personally I think that Audi has gone downhill, as they have now replaced BMW in the "rep mobile" market!!

I honestly believe Skoda have hit the nail on head with this car, great package (shut up about the boot everyone), great balance of cost and quality!

Agree! I really think Skoda should have hit the jackpot with this car too. It just seems to have everything you could wish for in a compact SUV. As for the boot, take the back seats out and you've got as much space as a Range Rover with the rear seats down or get a luggage basket/roofbox like I am so, what's the problem?

I can remember when VAG took over the old Skoda company, and then they made a statement (not in the public domain then) that they saw the Group range going from Audi at the top, then VW, then SEAT, with Skoda at the bottom. All had their own marketing stratergy to suit their "perceived" market sector, however now I think that the waters have muddied!!

Personally I think that Audi has gone downhill, as they have now replaced BMW in the "rep mobile" market!!

Over the past few years I have honestly seen Seat as the 'cheap' brand of the VW group. Their money seems to go on making exterior design statements and then lumber the owner with a nasty plasticky cheap looking interior. Leon compared to Octavia? No contest to me.

VW are getting to expensive and steping on the toes of Audi imo also - Golf R works out more than an Audi S3 now - whats that all about - its the same underpinnings right down to the engine and gearbox.

I went through the pricing up process back when I bought my MK2 VRS - compared to the equivalent A4 it was 8k less and better equipped. Things like charging £150 for a/c in the centre jumbo box and cooled glovebox was hilarious when it was standard on the Skoda!

I can remember when VAG took over the old Skoda company, and then they made a statement (not in the public domain then) that they saw the Group range going from Audi at the top, then VW, then SEAT, with Skoda at the bottom. All had their own marketing stratergy to suit their "perceived" market sector, however now I think that the waters have muddied!!

Personally I think that Audi has gone downhill, as they have now replaced BMW in the "rep mobile" market!!

Speaking as a current Audi owner: I do think Audi are fast becoming victims of their own success. True, they have replaced the Beemer as the middle class executive's "must have" car of choice (and it has to be black, of course!). Add to this the LED Daytime Running Lights bling which is finding its way onto every 17 year old's Max Powered Vauxhall Corsa and their image is taking a bit of a dent. Much like the footballer-wagon Range Rover Sport.

Ooooh, what are you getting, and where from ?

A company called Cobra Technology & Lifestyle. Here's the direct link to the Skoda Yeti Accessories

http://www.cobra-sor.de/konfigurator.php?modell_id=899&sprache_id=2&width=1362&height=583

I'm going for the Stainless Steel Side Steps and Chrome Front Radiator Grille.

UK Dealer is http://www.vanstyle.co.uk

I probably agree that there is still a bit of a gap between Audi and Skoda in terms of quality and design. However, I can't honestly see that there is much of a gap between VW and Skoda- all that they have between them really is the badge, and strong as the VW brand is, is that really enough to carry a £4- 6k premium over the equivalent Skoda?

I'm going for the Stainless Steel Side Steps and Chrome Front Radiator Grille.

Like the grille - have you considered the front bumper trims from Skoda (£15) to match ?

When the Yeti won a Top Gear magazine award recently, the article said that they reckoned VAG could get away with sticking a VW badge on the front, to sell it in the US.

As for the boot, take the back seats out and you've got as much space as a Range Rover with the rear seats down or get a luggage basket/roofbox like I am so, what's the problem?

Where do I put my two kids then? Apparently I am not allowed to tie them to the roof bars.

The whole boot issue is going on in another thread so lets not ruin this one. What I do find strange though is the anger that the suggestion of a bigger boot has caused. Why does it stress other people out? As long as you can get a regular Yeti why the anger about a larger one?

Like the grille - have you considered the front bumper trims from Skoda (£15) to match ?

Yes, I'm going for all the Skoda trimmings - front bumper trims, side mirror covers, lateral side strip inserts, rear bumper protective trim, door sill covers and stainless steel foot pedal covers.

Where do I put my two kids then? Apparently I am not allowed to tie them to the roof bars.

That's what I was trying to imply, that if you did need the rear seats for kids, use the roofbox option.