I'm a wheelchair user looking to change car as I can't get my powered chair in a BMW 1 series (worst car I've ever owned). I can manage some manuals if the clutch is light (though hill starts are a farce). Economy is very important as is being able to get through Yorkshire Dales snow to work.

So- why a Yeti and if so which one? or should I get a qashqai.....

Probably you need to physically check em out , its a specific niche i would think so not much basis for comparison , but maybe a yeti 4x4 if your in snow , and it has hill start on it anyway ithink.

hi wheel,

140 TDI DSG sounds ideal. I also had the Yeti/Qashqai dilema. After having a good look around a Yeti in a Skoda showroom my mind was made up .

That and all the bad reports from reader reviews about the Qashqai made it a no-brainer

hi wheel,

140 TDI DSG sounds ideal. I also had the Yeti/Qashqai dilema. After having a good look around a Yeti in a Skoda showroom my mind was made up .

That and all the bad reports from reader reviews about the Qashqai made it a no-brainer

how much mpg do you get with the 140 TDi DSG??? BMW tell massive fibs about the one series- most we've ever managed has been 50mpg- and they claim that's the urban not the combined figure. Too and from work- 25 mile commute on A and B roads I manage 46.3 mpg which isn't far off the 200bhp Scirocco I used to own. The one series doesn't work in snow and the ride shatters your spine.

Got a test drive booked on Thursday.

hi wheel,

140 TDI DSG sounds ideal. I also had the Yeti/Qashqai dilema. After having a good look around a Yeti in a Skoda showroom my mind was made up .

That and all the bad reports from reader reviews about the Qashqai made it a no-brainer

how much mpg do you get with the 140 TDi DSG??? BMW tell massive fibs about the one series- most we've ever managed has been 50mpg- and they claim that's the urban not the combined figure. Too and from work- 25 mile commute on A and B roads I manage 46.3 mpg which isn't far off the 200bhp Scirocco I used to own. The one series doesn't work in snow and the ride shatters your spine.

Got a test drive booked on Thursday.

Hi Weel,

I had the same dilema too but I like "engeenering" and well build painted steel so I examined both of them wery well so I understand that Yeti is much more well designed and built.

Just take a look the the assembly line:

1) Qashqai -->

2) Yeti -->

Maybe I'm fool to evaluate cars using such criteria but Qashqai looks older and made worse. On the other hands, Qashqai is cool. In other words Yeti remember me Volvo in the '80 (quality over the badge)

how much mpg do you get with the 140 TDi DSG??? BMW tell massive fibs about the one series- most we've ever managed has been 50mpg- and they claim that's the urban not the combined figure. Too and from work- 25 mile commute on A and B roads I manage 46.3 mpg which isn't far off the 200bhp Scirocco I used to own. The one series doesn't work in snow and the ride shatters your spine.

Got a test drive booked on Thursday.

I would have thought you could expect similar mpg from the 140 TDI Yeti - but then the Yeti has 4WD and a bigger frontal area. The ride at low speeds and over potholes is quite firm - at least on the 17in wheels fitted to the Elegance - but once up to speed it is very composed and compliant. My most recent BMW experience is a current-model 320d on 17in wheels, and the Yeti is much smoother and more composed over poor surfaces. I like the seats too, very good over long distances - and the cornering Xenons are excellent.

Failing that, have you considered the Superb Combi?

Mark

how much mpg do you get with the 140 TDi DSG??? BMW tell massive fibs about the one series- most we've ever managed has been 50mpg- and they claim that's the urban not the combined figure. Too and from work- 25 mile commute on A and B roads I manage 46.3 mpg which isn't far off the 200bhp Scirocco I used to own. The one series doesn't work in snow and the ride shatters your spine.

Got a test drive booked on Thursday.

I would say test them both.

I have the CR140 DSG and drive it around South London all day. During the rush hour it averages in the low 30's and in the evenings around 40mpg. The best I have achieved is 46mpg driving gently. Click on my fuel consumption figure in my signature and you can see many other users of the same car.

The CR110 is the most economical seemingly, but the CR170 gets close. The only 4x4 DSG is the CR140. I really like the Yeti, it is the best car I have ever driven.

Drive both & also the new sportage and x35. Then make a decision.

You can get away with 2wd if you use winter tyres, many people do with no problems.

Mike

I would have thought you could expect similar mpg from the 140 TDI Yeti - but then the Yeti has 4WD and a bigger frontal area. The ride at low speeds and over potholes is quite firm - at least on the 17in wheels fitted to the Elegance - but once up to speed it is very composed and compliant. My most recent BMW experience is a current-model 320d on 17in wheels, and the Yeti is much smoother and more composed over poor surfaces. I like the seats too, very good over long distances - and the cornering Xenons are excellent.

Failing that, have you considered the Superb Combi?

Mark

We actually have a citroen diesel DS3 on order!! Basically due to disability I found I could no longer work full time- panic- time to cut costs. Got rid of the wife's car as she isn't working and spends all her time making sure I can get to work. Citroen dealer messed us about big time clearing the finance on the wife's aygo. Told us DS3 would be here "in a few weeks". Months later, no DS3 and I'm facing the fact I can get around in my manual chair at work but any incline or about town- forget it. GP concerned about us getting DS3, motability concerned ie "How are you going to a fit a powered wheelchair in a citroen DS3".

Then we went camping for the first time since I became a wheelchair user and it was amazing (I used to be into mountaineering and rock climbing). Sounds stupid but the simple fact I could still go camping as a wheelchair user blew me away- so then I'm thinking- how the hell do I fit large dog, powered wheelchair and camping gear in a DS3??? And also living in the Dales and commuting to Burnley I'm thinking- I don't want the stress of worrying if I can get into work this coming winter- or driving back from Hawes with snow drifting across the road so I couldn't even see the road and it being a miracle we even got home. So I went to have a look at the Yeti which seems a tad more sensible than the DS3- which may get cancelled if not by us then by motability!!! Bottom line is obviously the test drive. Lots of cars the seats are no good for me as I struggle to sit up straight. Oh also- citroen dealer screwed up advising us on adaptations- they are free if fitted when the car is ordered- after which the £500 bill for hand controls or any other adaptations falls to us. I can manage some manuals like I've said- but as my right side is the weakest hand controls are very useful!!!

how do people rate the greenline? I know it's a manual so will have to see if I can work the clutch- though I've discovered you can get duck clutch though I don't know the cost yet.

Just to pick up on a point made further up the thread, if you are woried about the winter you can put a set of winter tyres on a 2WD Yeti and it copes very well.

Comparing the two DSG versions with automatic gearboxes the 140 Diesel 4x4 is good, no doubt if you need 4x4, but you'll get almost the same economy from the 1.2 petol 2wd version which is about 150kg lighter and something like £4200 cheaper to buy new.

The petrol may lose a higher percentage of it's value in the first three years. But overall because it's £4200 cheaper to buy it'll have lost less money overall.

Our 1.2 DSG SE averages 38mpg overall. On a run it's about 40mpg without dring too sensibly.

If I drive it like my Fabia Greenline II I can get 50mpg out of it.

Just an idea if you don't need to go diesel.

It's also worth considering the Skoda Roomster, and that has superb visibility, and is very akin to the Yeti too. :yes:

Just a thought.

And welcome to the forum too.

If It is a consumption matter, try www.spiritmonitor.de

I check it on cars I had in the past and I'm sure it is much more reliable than spot impressions

how do people rate the greenline? I know it's a manual so will have to see if I can work the clutch- though I've discovered you can get duck clutch though I don't know the cost yet.

I have a greenline and i like it very much.

Only 600 miles in mind.

The fuel consumption is pretty decent but as TP has proven it is only marginal over the 110bhp 4x4 (and mine is 2wd).

I got 62.8mpg on a 225 mile round trip recently(takes in m'ways, two citys and various A and B roads).

I think TP was getting in the high 50's over similar driving (smaller journey sample / distance).

As to the original question:-

Personally i think the ride on the yeti is firmer than the qashqai.

The qashqai seats are also slightly "squidgier" but i didn't feel uncomfortable after the 225 miles in the yeti (i stopped for about 20 minutes all journey).

I liked both vehicles pretty much equally but the qashqai dealers were not as helpful / friendly.

Also i find the yeti clutch quite long travelled but it isn't heavy.

The greenline is also lower than the "normal" yeti, i'm not sure if that is a + for you or not?

Well worth a back to back test drive if possible.

Might be worth taking in a 1.2 petrol dsg as well. Surprisingly nice drive.

Edited 8 June, 201115 yr by AlleyCat`

I will reiterate what someone said above: in the snow or general winter you will get along fine in a DSG 2WD Yeti with proper winter tyres. A 4x4 Land Rover without proper tyres will be left for dead by a 2WD car with proper winter rubber in snow and ice.

As to Yeti vs. Cashcow: The Cashcow has a sloping rear hatch robbing LOTS of vertical space in the boot. The Yeti has a very upright hatch and rear glass and thus I suspect the wheelchair will fit in the boot far easier than in the Nissan. So ignore what the brochures say about litres of boot space, look at the vertical space on offer in both.

I test drove a Cashcow with friends as a passenger. The gearbox was atrocious and the perceived build quality just so-so with tons of rattles coming from the boot (on the 1 year old car we tested as there were no new ones ready to test at short notice). Not tested an automatic Cashcow but the Nissan won't have a DSG - it will be an old fashioned slushbox.

The Nissan also has a lower window line with the roof basically ON people's heads. Just look next time you see one. People look SOOO cramped in there and it feels it too believe me. The Yeti in contrast has ACRES of headroom and space around you.

The only reason I can say to buy a Cashcow is that it is as British a car as you can get these days. It was completely designed in the Nissan Design Centre in Paddington, London and is assembled in Sunderland. More British you don't get this side of a Morgan!

wheelie,

as a part time chair user i find the yeti bloody brilliant.

i have the 110 4x4 SE manual. it coped very well in last winters snow and ice and i seemed to spend the whole 3 weeks of that weather ferrying the rest of my family about as i was confident we could get to our destination with no worries.

all that on summer tyres too.

if i lived in the dales i would ask the dealer about having the car supplied with all season tyres at delivery.

motability do provide various versions of the yeti and all should suit your needs.

i suggest finding your nearest skoda motability dealer and talk through which models are available, and what advance payment is needed for each.

i found the motability website car search is very confusing for the yeti models as they all appear to be listed as the same.

i have plenty of room in the boot for my quite large manual chair and more can be gained by sliding the rear seats forward.

it is quite a high boot lip though but being a square shape back i don't forsee too many porblems fitting a hoist if you need it. there is a 12v cigar socket in the boot too.

one last thing.. the seats are quite high off the ground if you transfer directly from chair to car you'll struggle.

if you can get in from standing then the seats are just at the right height for a 5'10" tall chap like me.

mpg for me has been 46 average but i've seen 55mpg on leisurly drives.

hope the above helps and any further info you might need, just ask. i'll try and help.

clive

Wheelie, take a look at a RAV4 D4D 2.2 if you want economy.....

I've had both the Qashqai and the Yeti on loan and think that

The Yeti is better built but struggled to fit a relative's wheelchair in (fixed frame type with wheels detached)

The other - no problem with the chair but much worse to drive and crucially, the seats were too high to make access easy whereas in the Yeti they were spot on. Both were basically the same in terms of fuel economy althought the 1.2 Yeti with DSG did surprise me with its pace and economy over the week I had it.

I'd pop along to Simpsons when you're in Burnley/Nelson and try a Yeti out. The Nissan is just over £3k on contract hire via the scheme whereas the Yeti is £1295 assuming you qualify. No contest in my opinion.

As to Yeti vs. Cashcow: The Cashcow has a sloping rear hatch robbing LOTS of vertical space in the boot. The Yeti has a very upright hatch and rear glass .

For that very reason I would expect the cashcow to be more economical than the Yeti

Sloping rears don’t necessarily equal better aerodynamics as Dr Kamm found out in the 60’s. A sharply cut off tail can result in a slippier shape, hence the BTCC Volvo 850 estates and the 60’s Alfa TZ series.

Anyway, my 140 TDi averages 45mpg – seemingly whatever I throw at it. I find the ability to remove the rear seats a constant delight and a source of amazement in that it is so ridiculously easy to put them back again – in stark contrast to a Colt CZT I once owned which apart from being mogadon on wheels had an infernally difficult seat removal and replacement routine which ensured I only tried it the once! The seats in the Yeti do weigh a bit but that is as a result of the excellent engineering.

I use my Yeti for Camping, Sea Kayaking, Pike fishing gear transport – utterly brilliant. I would imagine a powered wheelchair would fit easily – not sure about the relatively high lip mind you but am sure with a bit of ingenuity that could be overcome. I think in your position I would take a close look at the 140 DSG. The cashcow doesn’t float my boat at all so couldn’t possibly comment. I think the only ‘equivalent’ Yeti like vehicle that currently piques my interest is the about to be launched Mazda CX5 SkyActive which seems to have looks and economy and a fair bit of space. It would have to be damned good to get me out of ‘Snowy’ though.

Despite having 4wd and winter optimised tyres (safely in the garage at the mo) I firmly agree that it is the tyres that make the biggest difference – fit them on a 2wd Yeti and the Arctic’s your Lobster – even in winter.

For that very reason I would expect the cashcow to be more economical than the Yeti

Test drive today and:

1) I couldn't drive a manual

2) The seats need more lateral support for me but that can maybe be sorted

3) Delivery time---wait for it, wait for it.........

February 2012

Oh well, was worth a try.

Test drive today and:

1) I couldn't drive a manual

2) The seats need more lateral support for me but that can maybe be sorted

3) Delivery time---wait for it, wait for it.........

February 2012

Oh well, was worth a try.

What about a 1.2 DSG? (assume that was the 4x4 diesel DSG? with a long wait)

What about the better electric seats with more adjustment you can get on the Elegance?

and if you're prepared to compromise on colour/spec you would probably find a stock vehicle that would suit.

worth asking the dealer to hunt around for you

Here you go:

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=601350839

Here you go:

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=601350839

It's a lot cheaper on Motability.