I finally got a test drive of a Yeti, a 4x4 CR140. I'm coming from a BMW 120d which I have had for nearly seven years and has served faultlessly with one exception - traction on snow. I live in East Lancashire and my daily work route has many steep ups and downs including the last hill into work. The last few winters have become increasingly treacherous with snow and the BMW with rwd and 50:50 weight distribution just doesn't cope well (and it's embarrassing having to park at the bottom of the hill into work if there is any snow). So I thought as it was time for a change that I would go for a 4x4 and the Yeti seems to be the best value of the quality models.

I like it a lot. Easy to get in and out of (unlike the BMW) I quickly got used to the different driving position, though the pedals could be a bit further back. There is more road noise than the BMW but you don't notice it after a short while. Build quality is good and I liked the built in sat-nav (It was an SE+). However the sat-nav fitted doesn't take points of view in a way that I can put in the speed cam database. I wasn't expecting a great deal performance wise but I was pleasantly surprised in that it went quite well, well enough on the hills to live with it day to day though I will be looking to the CR170 to purchase. Performance wasn't too far behind the BMW which is supposed to have 163bhp but as it is getting on for seven years old will inevitably be down on power. The BMW still was faster at the top end. I took the Yeti up some tight hairpin bends above Langcliffe near Settle where the BMW spins its wheels a lot and the Yeti was very impressive in that it just gripped no matter the amount of throttle applied.

So, why the title Brakes??

Well, as part of my test route I was descending off Pendle Hill towards Clitheroe, a steep but open stretch where you can reach quite high speeds (if you don't hit a sheep). I went to brake at my normal braking point and was surprised by the lack of retardation. This was confirmed again and again throughout the test drive. Did I have a poor example or are the brakes a weak point of this model? I notice that the CR170 has larger brakes.

I am looking at a few rivals too like the X1, Kouga, Freelander 2 but they would probably be used purchases because of their high initial cost. At the moment, I will probably go for the Yeti but the weak brakes worry me a bit.

I finally got a test drive of a Yeti, a 4x4 CR140. I'm coming from a BMW 120d which I have had for nearly seven years and has served faultlessly with one exception - traction on snow. I live in East Lancashire and my daily work route has many steep ups and downs including the last hill into work. The last few winters have become increasingly treacherous with snow and the BMW with rwd and 50:50 weight distribution just doesn't cope well (and it's embarrassing having to park at the bottom of the hill into work if there is any snow). So I thought as it was time for a change that I would go for a 4x4 and the Yeti seems to be the best value of the quality models.

I like it a lot. Easy to get in and out of (unlike the BMW) I quickly got used to the different driving position, though the pedals could be a bit further back. There is more road noise than the BMW but you don't notice it after a short while. Build quality is good and I liked the built in sat-nav (It was an SE+). However the sat-nav fitted doesn't take points of view in a way that I can put in the speed cam database. I wasn't expecting a great deal performance wise but I was pleasantly surprised in that it went quite well, well enough on the hills to live with it day to day though I will be looking to the CR170 to purchase. Performance wasn't too far behind the BMW which is supposed to have 163bhp but as it is getting on for seven years old will inevitably be down on power. The BMW still was faster at the top end. I took the Yeti up some tight hairpin bends above Langcliffe near Settle where the BMW spins its wheels a lot and the Yeti was very impressive in that it just gripped no matter the amount of throttle applied.

So, why the title Brakes??

Well, as part of my test route I was descending off Pendle Hill towards Clitheroe, a steep but open stretch where you can reach quite high speeds (if you don't hit a sheep). I went to brake at my normal braking point and was surprised by the lack of retardation. This was confirmed again and again throughout the test drive. Did I have a poor example or are the brakes a weak point of this model? I notice that the CR170 has larger brakes.

I am looking at a few rivals too like the X1, Kouga, Freelander 2 but they would probably be used purchases because of their high initial cost. At the moment, I will probably go for the Yeti but the weak brakes worry me a bit.

Had similar qualms after driving a cra*py berlingo Multispace for several years- initiALLy noticed the braking not being as good - a function of the antilock systtem however now used to them - to me more pressure(slight) seems to solve the prob!

I have a 170 Elegance, the brakes seem strong to me. Last car a Celica 190

I'm trying to find a way of answering this politely.

You are trying to compare 2 different types of vehicles. Your BMW is a light weight sports saloon which you are comparing with a fairly heavy 4x4 "crossover". They won't be the same. I have now driven my 140bhp diesel for over 12 months and 24k miles, sometimes enthusiastically, and have never found the brakes wanting. They don't have that initial "grab" but they retard very capably. Having driven the Freelander 2 I would say the Yeti is very good!

I would also say beware. You are falling into the trap a lot of people have after last winter's lovely weather, of thinking that a 4x4 is going to be their saviour. It might not be! Yes, the Yeti is good and got me to work across the mountains of Mid Wales every day, BUT having 4x4 isn't everything. I pulled people out of situations with my Yeti, and they had got there because they thought just that. Remember that going down hill in particular, it doesn't matter how many wheels are driven, gravity is stronger! To get the best results out of the Yeti you need proper winter tyres and training on how to do it properly. Unfortunately that is something we have found a lot of people won't accept.

As for the Sat Nav, save your money and buy an aftermarket one. They are easier to keep up-to-date and invariably are better spec'ed.

Hi there Malcy, welcome to Briskoda and good to see that you may well be buying a Yeti.

As you are progressing from a 120d you will find the CR140 a little lethargic and lacking in the horses dept., whereas the CR170 will have very similar performance, at least up to the national speed limit when the blunt aerodynamics will take over a bit; IMHO the CR170 is indecently quick for a 4x4. Think of it also as a quattro and you'll have loads of fun.

Certainly a CR170 will be a good choice.

The brakes! There are essentially two components (as I'm sure you know) to the brakes; Discs and Pads. The Yeti uses the same callipers and pads for the CR140, CR170 & 1.8TSI but the CR140 & 1.8TSI have 288mm front discs and the CR170 has 312mm front discs (as used on the Octavia vRS and Golf GTI).

The larger 312mm discs are noticeably more effective and IMHO would be better fitter to the CR140 and 1.8TSI as, whilst they are not weak, they are not as strong as they might be. You ought not to be disappointed if you get the CR170.

With the pads, there IMHO is a common trait through the VAG group that their pads are, for the spirited and discerning driver, too sharp on light application and slow speed and not strong enough at higher speeds and can even feel as if they are fading a bit. The simple solution to this is to buy some uprated brake pads that will give stronger performance and resistance to fade.

PS> I agree with Llanigraham about Satnav, which I believe is part of the spec of the SE+; do you really need SatNav?

PPS> Llanigraham has a very fair point about the comparison between your 120d and a Yeti, which I appreciate having come from an Octavia vRS. Mind you, comparatively, I wouldn't suggest that the 120d is that much of a 'lightweight' its only 100kg less than a CR170 Yeti.

The brakes on the 170 will stop you very quickly if you stand on them thanks to the electronic gizmos, as I found out recently.(Car pulled out in front of me)

Andy

PS> I agree with Llanigraham about Satnav, which I believe is part of the spec of the SE+; do you really need SatNav?

Nothing to do with brakes I'm afraid (Warning: thread drift imminent!!!) but it's interesting how much heat the satnav debate generates and I'm not 100% sure why, other than pure cost considerations.

Personally, I'm unlikely ever to buy another car that doesn't have built-in satnav. I think that the larger screen, sheer convenience of the solidly mounted built-in unit, lack of any need to demount a portable satnav when leaving the car etc,are incomparably better than eg a TomTom (which incidentally I also have but which doesn't get used much), but each to their own.

(That's not to say that any satnav is perfect - I find a road atlas is still the best way of planning a longer-distance, unfamiliar cross-country route, for example. )

I'm trying to find a way of answering this politely. - I'm not sure what to make of this comment?

You are trying to compare 2 different types of vehicles. Your BMW is a light weight sports saloon which you are comparing with a fairly heavy 4x4 "crossover". They won't be the same. I have now driven my 140bhp diesel for over 12 months and 24k miles, sometimes enthusiastically, and have never found the brakes wanting. They don't have that initial "grab" but they retard very capably. Having driven the Freelander 2 I would say the Yeti is very good!

The braking comparison between the two vehicles is valid as there is not a great difference in weight and in straight line braking I found that there was a significant difference in effectiveness.

I would also say beware. You are falling into the trap a lot of people have after last winter's lovely weather, of thinking that a 4x4 is going to be their saviour. It might not be! Yes, the Yeti is good and got me to work across the mountains of Mid Wales every day, BUT having 4x4 isn't everything. I pulled people out of situations with my Yeti, and they had got there because they thought just that. Remember that going down hill in particular, it doesn't matter how many wheels are driven, gravity is stronger! To get the best results out of the Yeti you need proper winter tyres and training on how to do it properly. Unfortunately that is something we have found a lot of people won't accept.

Your assumption about my level of knowledge and understanding is quite wide of the mark.

As for the Sat Nav, save your money and buy an aftermarket one. They are easier to keep up-to-date and invariably are better spec'ed.

It was just a comment about the sat-nav as I found it in that particular vehicle. I use a Tom-Tom when needed anyway.

Thanks for your reply.

Hi there Malcy, welcome to Briskoda and good to see that you may well be buying a Yeti.

As you are progressing from a 120d you will find the CR140 a little lethargic and lacking in the horses dept., whereas the CR170 will have very similar performance, at least up to the national speed limit when the blunt aerodynamics will take over a bit; IMHO the CR170 is indecently quick for a 4x4. Think of it also as a quattro and you'll have loads of fun.

Certainly a CR170 will be a good choice.

The brakes! There are essentially two components (as I'm sure you know) to the brakes; Discs and Pads. The Yeti uses the same callipers and pads for the CR140, CR170 & 1.8TSI but the CR140 & 1.8TSI have 288mm front discs and the CR170 has 312mm front discs (as used on the Octavia vRS and Golf GTI).

The larger 312mm discs are noticeably more effective and IMHO would be better fitter to the CR140 and 1.8TSI as, whilst they are not weak, they are not as strong as they might be. You ought not to be disappointed if you get the CR170.

With the pads, there IMHO is a common trait through the VAG group that their pads are, for the spirited and discerning driver, too sharp on light application and slow speed and not strong enough at higher speeds and can even feel as if they are fading a bit. The simple solution to this is to buy some uprated brake pads that will give stronger performance and resistance to fade.

PS> I agree with Llanigraham about Satnav, which I believe is part of the spec of the SE+; do you really need SatNav?

PPS> Llanigraham has a very fair point about the comparison between your 120d and a Yeti, which I appreciate having come from an Octavia vRS. Mind you, comparatively, I wouldn't suggest that the 120d is that much of a 'lightweight' its only 100kg less than a CR170 Yeti.

Thanks for the information about the brakes. The larger disks on the CR170 should indeed be more effective and aftermarket pads would seem like a good idea though it is a shame that VAG do not use more effective ones in the first place.

I would never buy an integrated sat-nav, the usual price of about £1500 is a ludicrous waste of money. Just my observation about the system installed in the test vehicle.

I would never buy an integrated sat-nav, the usual price of about £1500 is a ludicrous waste of money. Just my observation about the system installed in the test vehicle.

The SE plus spec comes as standard with sat nav.

The Columbus at £1500 is a completely different from the one fitted to the SE plus, and from what I can tell, superior. I prefer it to my TomTom, which I never use. I use the built in Sat Nav several times a day every day of the week. For me, it is well worth it.

I would certainly order the Off-Road option. It does not replace good winter tyres but gives good control on downhill runs.

I have gone through two snowy winters on the minor ungritted lanes around my home and the Yeti has performed beautifully, it has coped with ice and packed snow without giving any cause for concern.

Malcy,

I made no assumptions on your driving abilities, since obviously I don't know them. However my comments are ones I have made to many 4x4 owners, especially those newly buying them. It is made from my experiences as a driving assessor with the group in red in my banner below. It is nothing more than that.

Terfyn is correct, thec Off-road button is a wise addition, although mine is not so equiped.

The SE plus spec comes as standard with sat nav.

The Columbus at £1500 is a completely different from the one fitted to the SE plus, and from what I can tell, superior. I prefer it to my TomTom, which I never use. I use the built in Sat Nav several times a day every day of the week. For me, it is well worth it.

+1

How firm brakes feel tends to depend on your previous car. If they are sharp then your new car may feel soft and vice versa. After about a week of adjustment you then stop noticing. I can't remember my thoughts on the Yeti brakes but I know now that they just feel normal.

I had a drive in an X1. If you do a lot of motorway driving then it is a good choice as it felt very stable. It was however a little heavy and nowhere near as nimble as the Yeti which caned it in terms of A road driving. Whilst it was high quality inside you would be paying around £8k extra for that privilege. Is it worth that? Your decision.

I drove my Yeti last winter, a bad one up here in Northumberland, and it coped brilliantly. It will certainly be a good choice to see you through a Lancashire winter. In your position, if winter driving is the key and I have a little knowledge of your part of the world and know it can be feisty, than I would be looking at the Yeti, Freelander or Mitsubishi ASX, strong 4wd credentials, rather than cars like the Kuga or X1. Clearly however that is subjective. Enjoy the decision making process.

I've just made the transition from the 120D (facelift) to Yeti in the last couple of weeks, Llanigraham is wrong about the weight, but the basis of what he is saying is correct - the BMW is a sports hatch, the Yeti is a crossover so they are different beasts and you have to allow for that.

I think its really about adjustment, the Yeti will never be as composed as the BMW, but it is actually surprisingly good at handling. I haven't really done any spirited driving with the Yeti as its still all a bit new, but so far from the braking I have done the Yeti doesn't feel as planted as the BMW but it does actually still stop quite quickly if you hit the brakes hard, I can't comment about fading or lack of it yet.

I still can't get used to how far the gearstick moves or how light all the pedals and steering are but that will come with time, I certainly don't regret the change myself but I guess it depends what you want from the car.

Edited 15 August, 201114 yr by rog737

On my test drives of the Yeti I found the brakes to be excellent, much better then on my 2006 Honda Civic! Come to think of it the ride, handling, comfort, visability, flexability, build, equipment are all much, much better......hence why I have ordered one!!!

I'll keep it short and sweet.

The brakes on the Yeti (especially the 170CR) are more than enough for the vehicle but they do need a bit more pressure on the pedal than you are used to on the 1 series. I notice it when I drive an Octavia for a bit (which has a very sensitive brake pedal) and then get back into the Yeti that it feels slightly unresponsive in comparison.

It isn't a problem with the model.

I would suggest going for the Offroad Button as a factory option if you opt for the SE Plus model, although the Elegance has that, and a lot more, as part of the standard equipment.

Thanks for the further feedback on the topic. I guess it's a matter of adjustment in the way that the driving position felt strange at first.

It will be the Elegance or the SE with some selected extras if I go for the Yeti as I don't need the sat-nav. The CR170 only comes in SE+ or Elegance so that kind of makes the decision for that model.