As posted I’ve just got back from a trip in to Europe with our current Yeti, so I thought a review was in order, particularly as she’s the lower powered 110 4x4 and we were fully loaded with luggage both in the boot and on the roof with a Thule Ranger 90 fold away roof bag/box and 4 adults.

Before setting out went through the usual checks; oil still at the max mark from new, coolant at the min mark (half way between min /max at new, so dropped a little) therefore topped up with 200ml of Skoda neat coolant/demin water mix to just under the max line. The tyres were adjusted for extra load to 2.9 bar rear/2.3 bar front (setting for 2wd version on 16” wheels, as 4x4 setting appeared a little too high for my liking).

Roof rack system used was a second hand set of Thule 769 square roof bars and 775 foot pack (from ebay) with a new Ranger 90 roof bag/box. Also purchased the Thule luggage holdall set for their roof box range, which although appear pricey are well made, take a lot of stuff and fit the bag/box perfectly. Oh the various grab handles attached to the holdalls helped with the packing and unpacking of the roof bag. Only negative I found being the roof bags steel fixing loops cut into the plastic covering of the roof bars; bad design there Thule. Found that I needed a low step to aid the fitting and packing exercise so took the single step plastic thing I got from Wilkinson for washing the roof.

A point to note, without the roof bag the Thule square cross bars produced a whistle above 30, although we could live with it and left them in place.

The journey out via the Tunnel was a single trip push to the Czech Republic with me undertaking all driving; the following are from the maxidot;

Running time – 16hrs, 40min

Average speed – 58mph

Route – 963 miles

Average Fuel 43.9 mpg

Yeti behaved faultlessly, never missing a beat despite torrential rain for most of the German leg and remained comfortable, causing little discomfort to my neck which has been plagued with a trapped nerve for many years. The cabin also remained quiet, with only tyre roar on certain road surfaces becoming noticeable. The roof bag was virtually unnoticeable other than bends with additional lean and under braking; the smaller brakes fitted to the 110 4x4 are just adequate at close to gross weight, could really do to have the same set-up as the 140 in my view. The Continental Premium Contact 2 tyres worked very well in the dry but I was less confident with them in the heavy rain, kicked if you hit any standing water; appeared to be unable to clear it quickly. Will not be refitting these tyres come replacement time.

Visited the Skoda Museum while over there, sadly it was a bit disappointing; the main hall being closed for refurbishment, so most exhibits were not to be seen , the staff spoke little English and somehow felt unwelcoming. Anyway I did get to see a static Yeti prototype, which was parked next to the similarly static and larger Roomster prototype. Also came across the Tudor which had been a fully working vehicle and by the looks of the seats etc. had done plenty of miles of testing, shame it never got built looked a smart car for its day. Had a look round the new car show room on the same site, again not very welcoming but got some shots of the Yeti in Cayenne.

A few Yeti design cues from here maybe

Austrian Alps next, again virtually faultless apart from the odd squeak/creak that had developed somewhere in the cabin over certain types of road imperfection, oh and again the brakes descending mountain roads adequate but could be better. Climbs were no bother as long as you went down the box, although often 4^th would suffice for all but the steepest. Not mentioned lights yet but the tourist mode worked fine, no complaints from other drivers, although in UK or tourist I’ve noticed the right beam is very short, could do to be raised a little I think.

Home leg involved a night stop in Germany before the final push to the UK. Traffic coming up from Austria on Saturday was the heaviest I’ve ever known it in Germany, roads particularly the Autobahns appeared in very poor condition to how they used to be and there were many road work sections. The Czech motorways were in the main, noticeably better (back roads mind were another story). This home leg introduced another odd noise from the Monster in the form of a subdued metallic buzzing, possibly behind the dash under acceleration, however remove the roof box and it goes away; odd.

Sunday the roads were quieter, although our Garmin decided to test my metal (and nerve) diverting us for some reason off the Brussels ring road strait through the heart of the city. Avoid at all cost; passengers enjoyed the tour but I think sitting in a 10 hour traffic jam from my perspective would have been more enjoyable.

Back home and despite the photos the Monster close up looks more battleship grey than white but would not have any other shade. Coolant has dropped again by about 2mm but the oil is as before. The water I will have to keep an eye on, although so far it’s not an excessive loss and the system appears to be holding pressure. Also monitored the oil temp, in the Alps particularly could drop as low as 82 on a decent but reach 115 on a climb.

Fuel as is the way with my Monster was rather all over the place, with figures as low as 35 on the way out but in the Alps we had one tank giving nearly 47 mpg.

Yeti’s appeared to be all over in the Czech (obviously), with the exception of Prague, only saw one there. Austria there is abundance and I spotted a number in Southern Germany. Further north mind and they become a rare site. Muscavado is the most common colour followed by black.

All in all the Yeti even in 110 4x4 guise proved a very capable mode of transport, in comparison with the previous Yeti SE the Elegance trim is better suited to long distance driving; the seats are more comfortable with the leather and lumber, lights are brighter and the heated seats I found worked well in improving long distance driving comfort even though it wasn't that cold. The only thing Skoda could improve is the front brake size; there adequate but no more.

TP

I think I saw you yesterday afternoon!!

I was on the A10, I joined at Gent and I saw a White Yeti clocked the UK plate but didn't notice it as yours. Also spotted a German plated Yeti towing an enormous caravan at a petrol station in Ridderkerk on Sunday morning.

Thanks for the report on your trip, sounds like the Yeti did well!

Edited 1 August, 201114 yr by Allams Skoda

I think I saw you yesterday afternoon!!

I was on the A10, I joined at Gent and I saw a White Yeti clocked the UK plate but didn't notice it as yours. Also spotted a German plated Yeti towing an enormous caravan at a petrol station in Ridderkerk on Sunday morning.

Thanks for the report on your trip, sounds like the Yeti did well!

Hi James,

small world yes we were on the A10 late afternoon, think we arrived at the Euro Tunnel in Calais around 7:20 pm, so could be. I didn't see another UK Monster out there myself; had our roof bag fitted if you noticed that :wonder:

Spent Sunday morning in Koblenz; very busy with tourists like us

Regards,

TP

Great report TP.

Mike

Great report, I'm in the Austrian Tyrol at the moment. I have to say that while I have seen a small handful of Austrian Yetis, there aren't many about and mine does seem to draw a lot of looks.

However, Yeti's run well so far, happy cruising at 80mph with roof box and turning in 44mpg.

Well pleased.

John

Hi Tim

welcome home looks like you had a good trip, shame about the main hall at the skoda museum,

Has ice cube loosened up after your trip, mine is just over 2k now and feels a little better. mpg not to bad for 4 up and all your luggage.

regards Kevin

That was a nice little read Tim, thanx.

Sounds like you had a good trip.

As for the lack of welcome from the Czechs, I think it's just cultural difference.

We haves a friend who is Czech and she can sometimes come across as a bit short but it's just their way.

A bit like the Scandinavians.

Hi Tim

welcome home looks like you had a good trip, shame about the main hall at the skoda museum,

Has ice cube loosened up after your trip, mine is just over 2k now and feels a little better. mpg not to bad for 4 up and all your luggage.

regards Kevin

Hi Kevin,

engine since new has felt lively like it's already run in, not detected any change at all in the 5000 odd miles so far (complete opposite to the previous 140). Fuel consumption remains fairly erratic from one tank to the next, and she's used more coolant than oil, which is a little unusual; will monitor.

Regards,

TP

Hi James,

small world yes we were on the A10 late afternoon, think we arrived at the Euro Tunnel in Calais around 7:20 pm, so could be. I didn't see another UK Monster out there myself; had our roof bag fitted if you noticed that :wonder:

Spent Sunday morning in Koblenz; very busy with tourists like us

Regards,

TP

Did you catch the 7:50pm shuttle too?

Small world indeed.

Koblenz is a nice town, been there a few times for breakfast whilst waiting for the Nurburgring to open the drive back to Nurburg from there is a nice one at 8am!

Did you catch the 7:50pm shuttle too?

Small world indeed.

Koblenz is a nice town, been there a few times for breakfast whilst waiting for the Nurburgring to open the drive back to Nurburg from there is a nice one at 8am!

Hi James,

got the 8:50pm local time but it was delayed 20 minutes for some reason :wonder:

Yes Koblenz is a nice place to visit, see there's a lot of new building going on at the moment. Last time I was there would be 92 (stationed in Germany at the time) for the Rhine in Flames, travelled down from Bruggen in our Fiesta II 950cc which also acted as the accommodation for the night

TP

Shame we didn't bump into each other at Calais or something would have been amusing.

I reckon Koblenz and in fact most of Germany would have been very different in 1992.

Shame we didn't bump into each other at Calais or something would have been amusing.

I reckon Koblenz and in fact most of Germany would have been very different in 1992.

Yes too true; Germany is not what it used to be, now they appear to be sadly sliding towards British standard :S Hoping Austria doesn't go the same way.

TP

That was a nice little read Tim, thanx.

Sounds like you had a good trip.

As for the lack of welcome from the Czechs, I think it's just cultural difference.

We haves a friend who is Czech and she can sometimes come across as a bit short but it's just their way.

A bit like the Scandinavians.

I'll go along with that - I am married to one.

We are taking our Yeti over to Cz next week via Switzerland - great to hear about other people's SM road trips this summer.

great pics，It seems TDI 110 bhp can well meet the ordinary use.

Just totted up the fuel bill for the trip; £416.83. factoring in the Euro Tunnel, then the dirct travel cost per person worked out at £130. Cheaper then flying then

TP

Super photos on the picture thread - thanks for sharing those.

A bit like the Scandinavians.

Watchit