http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/111157572512980489481/20100425#5470067260737470546

I have just covered the first 1000 miles in my Yeti, and thought I would write review for all to read (or none), and interested if anyone shares, or disagrees my thoughts so for. Anyway, it is a 2.0Tdi 110 2WD Elegance. I have borrowed the auto-car format a little, not to be clever, just to keep me on point! - sort of.

Design

I like the look of it, I think its proportioned about right, although feel an extra foot or so would improve the looks a little. But being the size it is I think is just about perfect. Easy to park and about the same in length as my previous car, a Golf Mk5. It is high, and even though I am 6ft + I had to buy a small plastic step ladder from ebay so I could wash it properly. I like the jacked up look and the wheels look great. I got the 17 inch as standard but had reservations about this, mainly due to the price of the tyres compared to 16 inch ones, and ride quality. The flat back makes it easy to park, so much so the need for parking sensors could be argued to be redundant. The looks grow on you I think, I always liked the look of the car, hence buying one, but over time I think its looks better every day. Negatives, not that many but must say have had a few chuckles from family and friends in regards to its looks, but having owned two Skoda's in the past I am used to it! They call it the “monstrosity”. The name has stuck, never named previous cars, but even I call it the monstrosity, with affection must add.

On the road

The ride is probably mentioned many times in the forums. And it is fair to say its is firm. I am not sure if the Yeti's with 16 inch wheels ride better but have no way of finding out at the moment. The quality of the road helps of course, a smooth road and it just glides, and bad road and it does patter along a bit, but overall I am happy with it. The plus side for me is that show it some bends and it goes around them with verve and little body lean. I would make a bet that in a spirited drive with its competitors, the Yeti would show them a clean pair of heels. I got the 2WD 110 diesel and compared to the 1.9Tdi in my previous Golf and Octavia, the refinement is in a different class.

Performance wise I cant say yet as I am still running in but it does seem more sprightly than my previous cars (at slower speeds), but a word of warning – this version of the Yeti is highly geared. So higher up the speed limit it is definitely more sluggish. Even at 30 mph in 4th it feels a tad sluggish and you need to be 40+ for 5th gear. Of course the pay off is better mpg. It is OK for me, and something that with any new car you get used to its personality, as it were. As for gear change, brakes and steering, all first class. Of note is the steering, great around town, light but responsive, at speed firms up nicely.

Living with it

This is where the car exceeds for me. I got the Elegance as I had always promised myself “all the toys” and wow this car has it all. The leather seats are great quality and very comfy. I have no problems with mirror position or seeing the instruments as some others sadly do. Its about spot on I would say. Can't wait for winter to try the heated seats, it should make my trip to work on a freezing cold morning a joy. The stereo is brilliant. I have not bothered putting in a CD yet as popping in an SD card is so easy. Sound quality is great, and would love to hear my standard set up next to an upgraded Yeti. The integration with the phone again is amazing, so easy to use and not sure how I managed without it before. Always had standard air-con before as thought climate control is a con, just as easy to set the dial, but I am coming around. Just set the temp and away you go and being dual zone, no more arguments with my passenger. Must say something about the steering wheel. Its just the best I ever had. My dad has some very expensive cars and drove them all, and this steering wheel is comparable to a £50k Mercedes in my book. The xenon lights are something else. First time I noticed how good they were was in a pub car park with friends. We went in daylight but left in the dark, that is until the lights went on, we all said “wow” about the same time. Actually we didn't say wow, but I cant repeat what we said here! I am sure these lights are going to be something that I will order with every new car from now on, just pleased they are standard on the elegance.

No complaints in the back or with the boot. The sliding removable seats are great but heavy. No concerns about that although some car magazines have. Much prefer heavy to light and flimsy. I have used the movable seats more than once turning it into a 3 seater etc., and its a great idea to mix and match the seats with your needs. With them all out it is effectively a van in the best sense of the word. Boot space is great, about right for me. I ordered mine without the spare wheel and did see some in showroom with them and the boot space was reduced substantially. I am still worried I have no spare, had one on every car before. I may change my mind at a later date and order up a space-saver for long trips etc. Nice touches are the way the stereo quietens when in reverse, auto wipers and lights work well and the auto dimming rear view mirror again is something that I cannot live without again, as it the cruise.

Verdict and negatives

Nothing really very negative for me, the car gets dirty very easily, happily I like to wash my car, but must say, its attracts dirt like no other of my previous cars. I would like the centre armrest a little longer and higher and the door armrests are not quite right for me to rest my arm on. On a positive that makes you grab the previously mentioned steering wheel correctly! MPG average is 48 mpg so far in mostly urban driving. The gobi leather gets a little dirty but a pack of baby wipes in the door cubby sorts that out. The handbrake not quite positioned to the centre, so for the first 500 miles was grabbing for empty space – again something that you get used to. The left footrest is great, wish there was one for the right foot when in cruise mode. That's about it for negatives. As for my verdict, I would buy another immediately. When sitting up slightly higher and driving along, the car feels just right, in a way I cant put into words. I got lucky, no rattles or niggles so far (touch wood) and just hoping it stays that way. In the fullness of time hoping it residual values are good.

Anyway, there you go, hope you liked my review and interested to hear what you think.

Great report totally agree with a lot of what you say, can't speak for the diesel part however.

Mark

That's a great report and I think I would echo it with my own experiences.

John

Weedge: brilliant report. Well written and just good things to say. And that photograph! What a fantastically dramatic sky you had and ONLY the Yeti in the photo! Really something you would have expected in a Yeti brochure! Enjoy the car.

Brilliant review, even better pic!

Many thanks!

Weedge: brilliant report. Well written and just good things to say. And that photograph! What a fantastically dramatic sky you had and ONLY the Yeti in the photo! Really something you would have expected in a Yeti brochure! Enjoy the car.

Must come clean, I am not a great photographer, just 5 mins in photoshop and a crop, but it did come out well.

yep - enjoyed reading it, and concur with all sentiments. Great stuff. (perhaps we need a special thread, and a prize for the best, for say, 500 mile, or 1000 mile write-ups by new YETI owners??)

G

yep - enjoyed reading it, and concur with all sentiments. Great stuff. (perhaps we need a special thread, and a prize for the best, for say, 500 mile, or 1000 mile write-ups by new YETI owners??)

G

I should raise this with the higher powers I know, but it would be great if we can have subfolders within the Yeti section. It is neigh impossible to easily find topics without an advanced search. How about "General Yeti", "Interior", "Exterior", "Engine and service", "General other" and "Reviews" rooms within the Yeti section? OR for that matter within each of the Fabia, Octi and Superb sections? Then reviews like this won't get "lost".

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/111157572512980489481/20100425#5470067260737470546

I have just covered the first 1000 miles in my Yeti, and thought I would write review for all to read (or none), and interested if anyone shares, or disagrees my thoughts so for. Anyway, it is a 2.0Tdi 110 2WD Elegance. I have borrowed the auto-car format a little, not to be clever, just to keep me on point! - sort of.

Design

I like the look of it, I think its proportioned about right, although feel an extra foot or so would improve the looks a little. But being the size it is I think is just about perfect. Easy to park and about the same in length as my previous car, a Golf Mk5. It is high, and even though I am 6ft + I had to buy a small plastic step ladder from ebay so I could wash it properly. I like the jacked up look and the wheels look great. I got the 17 inch as standard but had reservations about this, mainly due to the price of the tyres compared to 16 inch ones, and ride quality. The flat back makes it easy to park, so much so the need for parking sensors could be argued to be redundant. The looks grow on you I think, I always liked the look of the car, hence buying one, but over time I think its looks better every day. Negatives, not that many but must say have had a few chuckles from family and friends in regards to its looks, but having owned two Skoda's in the past I am used to it! They call it the “monstrosity”. The name has stuck, never named previous cars, but even I call it the monstrosity, with affection must add.

On the road

The ride is probably mentioned many times in the forums. And it is fair to say its is firm. I am not sure if the Yeti's with 16 inch wheels ride better but have no way of finding out at the moment. The quality of the road helps of course, a smooth road and it just glides, and bad road and it does patter along a bit, but overall I am happy with it. The plus side for me is that show it some bends and it goes around them with verve and little body lean. I would make a bet that in a spirited drive with its competitors, the Yeti would show them a clean pair of heels. I got the 2WD 110 diesel and compared to the 1.9Tdi in my previous Golf and Octavia, the refinement is in a different class.

Performance wise I cant say yet as I am still running in but it does seem more sprightly than my previous cars (at slower speeds), but a word of warning – this version of the Yeti is highly geared. So higher up the speed limit it is definitely more sluggish. Even at 30 mph in 4th it feels a tad sluggish and you need to be 40+ for 5th gear. Of course the pay off is better mpg. It is OK for me, and something that with any new car you get used to its personality, as it were. As for gear change, brakes and steering, all first class. Of note is the steering, great around town, light but responsive, at speed firms up nicely.

Living with it

This is where the car exceeds for me. I got the Elegance as I had always promised myself “all the toys” and wow this car has it all. The leather seats are great quality and very comfy. I have no problems with mirror position or seeing the instruments as some others sadly do. Its about spot on I would say. Can't wait for winter to try the heated seats, it should make my trip to work on a freezing cold morning a joy. The stereo is brilliant. I have not bothered putting in a CD yet as popping in an SD card is so easy. Sound quality is great, and would love to hear my standard set up next to an upgraded Yeti. The integration with the phone again is amazing, so easy to use and not sure how I managed without it before. Always had standard air-con before as thought climate control is a con, just as easy to set the dial, but I am coming around. Just set the temp and away you go and being dual zone, no more arguments with my passenger. Must say something about the steering wheel. Its just the best I ever had. My dad has some very expensive cars and drove them all, and this steering wheel is comparable to a £50k Mercedes in my book. The xenon lights are something else. First time I noticed how good they were was in a pub car park with friends. We went in daylight but left in the dark, that is until the lights went on, we all said “wow” about the same time. Actually we didn't say wow, but I cant repeat what we said here! I am sure these lights are going to be something that I will order with every new car from now on, just pleased they are standard on the elegance.

No complaints in the back or with the boot. The sliding removable seats are great but heavy. No concerns about that although some car magazines have. Much prefer heavy to light and flimsy. I have used the movable seats more than once turning it into a 3 seater etc., and its a great idea to mix and match the seats with your needs. With them all out it is effectively a van in the best sense of the word. Boot space is great, about right for me. I ordered mine without the spare wheel and did see some in showroom with them and the boot space was reduced substantially. I am still worried I have no spare, had one on every car before. I may change my mind at a later date and order up a space-saver for long trips etc. Nice touches are the way the stereo quietens when in reverse, auto wipers and lights work well and the auto dimming rear view mirror again is something that I cannot live without again, as it the cruise.

Verdict and negatives

Nothing really very negative for me, the car gets dirty very easily, happily I like to wash my car, but must say, its attracts dirt like no other of my previous cars. I would like the centre armrest a little longer and higher and the door armrests are not quite right for me to rest my arm on. On a positive that makes you grab the previously mentioned steering wheel correctly! MPG average is 48 mpg so far in mostly urban driving. The gobi leather gets a little dirty but a pack of baby wipes in the door cubby sorts that out. The handbrake not quite positioned to the centre, so for the first 500 miles was grabbing for empty space – again something that you get used to. The left footrest is great, wish there was one for the right foot when in cruise mode. That's about it for negatives. As for my verdict, I would buy another immediately. When sitting up slightly higher and driving along, the car feels just right, in a way I cant put into words. I got lucky, no rattles or niggles so far (touch wood) and just hoping it stays that way. In the fullness of time hoping it residual values are good.

Anyway, there you go, hope you liked my review and interested to hear what you think.

Great review

Excellent report weedge!

I too have a golf tdi mk 5 and am getting the tdi yeti 2wd but in SE spec.

Mines currently on the ship so should have it within 10 days. Can't wait now!

Thanks for whetting my appetite even more, good to see a decent mpg figure as that was my reason for opting for 2wd. I do around 25k miles a year so expect a report or two from me over the coming months.

Me thinks one of the best and informative reviews that i have trawled through, a little surprised that you find the ride hard, after feeling every bump in the road with my 1.9 fabia 3 i,m sure my demo Yeti which I collect on Sat will give me a much smoother ride, will give opinion later ,but in no way will I try to emulate your comprehensive report, certainly will have a exclusivity factor as I have only ever seen one on the road and the includes time in London and Liverpool. I will certainly flash and wave on my first sighting of a fellow owner of the elusive Yeti.

Edited 13 May, 201016 yr by mellyboy

Me thinks one of the best and informative reviews that i have trawled through, a little surprised that you find the ride hard, after feeling every bump in the road with my 1.9 fabia 3 i,m sure my demo Yeti which I collect on Sat will give me a much smoother ride, will give opinion later ,but in no way will I try to emulate your comprehensive report, certainly will have a exclusivity factor as I have only ever seen one on the road and the includes time in London and Liverpool. I will certainly flash and wave on my first sighting of a fellow owner of the elusive Yeti.

I know that ride comfort and noise are to some extent subjective and in the case of the former, dependent on road state, but I'm convinced that my Yeti is both quieter (certainly around town) and has a better ride than my company Passat (170 PD engine).

John

Me thinks one of the best and informative reviews that i have trawled through, a little surprised that you find the ride hard, after feeling every bump in the road with my 1.9 fabia 3 i,m sure my demo Yeti which I collect on Sat will give me a much smoother ride, will give opinion later ,but in no way will I try to emulate your comprehensive report, certainly will have a exclusivity factor as I have only ever seen one on the road and the includes time in London and Liverpool. I will certainly flash and wave on my first sighting of a fellow owner of the elusive Yeti.

Hi Mellyboy and just at home,

Must say for me the ride is not hard just firm, but I am coming from a comparitively spoftly sprung car, so on reflection it is probably me ! Either way I prefer a car like that to one thats too soft. But it is quiet compared to the 1.9Tdi PD's is my last two cars, its like a limo. Nice Harley btw, love the sound of them. I have a CBR600, now the ride on that is definately hard!

All the best, weedge

Edited 14 May, 201016 yr by weedge