We started with Skoda in 2001 with a 1.4 Octavia, then upgraded to the 1.9 TDI Estate a year later. This estate served us fantastically for 8 years and 80000 miles - never paid for anything but tyres and servicing.

We acquired a used 2005 Fabia Estate 1.9 TDI (2nd car) three years ago and it has also been brilliant.

Last year, feeling the Octavia needed replacing, I fell for the Yeti. Budget dictated the 1.2TSI. It has a lovely firm glued-to-the-road ride, and the little turbocharged engine has to be experienced to be believed - just struggles a little with four up and heavy luggage on motorways and trying to do 80!

I really missed the Octavia. The Yeti, in contrast, gets bad stone-chips, has dreadful wipers, mists up badly, gets plastered with filth and mud far more than our other cars, slides around on ice and snow in a way that the Octavia never did, and has a tiny boot! The Yeti is a better drive than an Octy in terms of sporty ride, but in several other areas is a less practical car.

Arrived today at the AD to deliver the Yeti for its first annual service and saw a very prominently displayed new Octavia Estate 1.8 TSI SE-plus for £4000 below list! Found myself drawn to the salesman's office to be offered an excellent trade-in on the Yeti and, I am afraid to say, impulsively signed to make the change. I am very pleased to be returning to an Octavia, and a pretty peppy one at that! Saving the service charge on the Yeti, and looking forward to collection.

I think that our 5th Skoda in 10 years will probably prove to be our best yet.

Good luck:) I wanted to get Yeti too, but once i saw it live at the dealers i was not keen on its looks, especially from e back, also with spare tire the boot was miniscule.

Scout does the job perfectly.

I did go for the Yeti as a replacement for my Octy estate.

Yes the boot isn't as deep, but life has changed and I don't need the depth.

I found the CR140 4x4 DSG to be perfect in all conditions, and on the track in the wet was fantastic.

For me, the Yeti suits me better than the Octavia.

My Yeti is the heaviest made which may help compared to the 1.2tsi. I've not suffered the stone chip problems as I have the film on the rear doors/wheelsarches.

I've never had any misting up problems either. The wipers are no worse than my old Octy.

I hope you enjoy the new Octy as much as you enjoyed your previous octavias.

I thought I was the only one !!!

Traded my 1.2 TSi Yeti last year for a 1.8 TSi 4x4 Octavia.

Of note I've not found the fuel economy much different between the 2, despite 4x4 and an additional 55 BHP!

I thought I was the only one !!!

Traded my 1.2 TSi Yeti last year for a 1.8 TSi 4x4 Octavia.

Of note I've not found the fuel economy much different between the 2, despite 4x4 and an additional 55 BHP!

Wise decision, the Yeti is a big let down in many areas.

I just bought a golf GTI mk6, the boot is BIGGER and the interior quality and visibility is a serious step up.

I know the Yeti is a more 'budget' car, but the boot, plastics and visibility are all ****e.

Wise decision, the Yeti is a big let down in many areas.

I just bought a golf GTI mk6, the boot is BIGGER and the interior quality and visibility is a serious step up.

I know the Yeti is a more 'budget' car, but the boot, plastics and visibility are all ****e.

perhaps the Yetis made for Taiwan are not up to spec compared to the UK but mine is very well put together.

I knew how big/small the boot is before I bought it and as the kids had their own cars we could manage, I prefer the Yeti to the Octavia and the only visiblity issue I have is that the rear view mirror is too low and gets in the way when try to look left at junctions.

As for being a "budget" car mine is an SE and appears to have a lot more kit as standard than the similarly specced se Octavia and the plastics are the same or better.

As already said maybe the UK cars are better made with more kit

perhaps the Yetis made for Taiwan are not up to spec compared to the UK but mine is very well put together.

I knew how big/small the boot is before I bought it and as the kids had their own cars we could manage, I prefer the Yeti to the Octavia and the only visiblity issue I have is that the rear view mirror is too low and gets in the way when try to look left at junctions.

As for being a "budget" car mine is an SE and appears to have a lot more kit as standard than the similarly specced se Octavia and the plastics are the same or better.

As already said maybe the UK cars are better made with more kit

Hmm interesting thready, having had 5 Octavias since 1998 I have just moved from a 2.0 Octavia to a 1.2 Yeti. The finish and fit is every bit as good as my Octavias (better than the early ones actually), and while the boot is smaller it is perfectly adequate for my needs (we are 2 adults and a small child). We used to need to need the bigger boot when we were carting pushchairs, highchairs etc but we are (just) past that stage. If I ever need a bigger load then I can always grab a roof box I suppose.

As for sliding around, that's the tyres not the car. My Octavia was useless in snow until I changed the tyres and I have no reason to expect the yeti will be any different. I wouldn't go out in the snow in my slippers and then say I was rubbish in the snow, I realise it's what you have gripping the ice that makes the difference.

I thought I was the only one !!!

Traded my 1.2 TSi Yeti last year for a 1.8 TSi 4x4 Octavia.

Of note I've not found the fuel economy much different between the 2, despite 4x4 and an additional 55 BHP!

No, certainly not the only one.

I ordered an Octavia Scout when all the deals were on at the end of last year, with a view to part chopping my wifes Roomster and keeping the Yeti. Come June and the Scout is made and on it's way, the Yeti had held it's value so well, I sold it privately and swapped to a new car for very little, after 2 years and 30,000 miles!

The Yeti was and is a great car and I would normally have run it for at least a couple more years, but this was too good to pass up.

Had the Scout now for 2 1/2 months, it is also a great car and both beautifully put together. I have to agree on the economy, about 5 to 6 mpg better (44 to about 49) with the same driving, on a brand new engine, both 140 diesels and 4x4.

perhaps the Yetis made for Taiwan are not up to spec compared to the UK but mine is very well put together.

I knew how big/small the boot is before I bought it and as the kids had their own cars we could manage, I prefer the Yeti to the Octavia and the only visiblity issue I have is that the rear view mirror is too low and gets in the way when try to look left at junctions.

As for being a "budget" car mine is an SE and appears to have a lot more kit as standard than the similarly specced se Octavia and the plastics are the same or better.

As already said maybe the UK cars are better made with more kit

No its well screwed together, not a creak or rattle, its a quality car.

The plastics are cheap and hard, its kind of barren inside, even with a display screen and alloy trim piece.

Really it doesnt compare well to other VAG vehicles except for the fabia.

Theres no bias'ism (is that even a word!) in my opinion, i love the Yeti and have done 25k on mine, this is a well thought out realization i have come to from owning it.

After posting that earlier post i did a delviery run with my GTI instead of my Yeti............ i got better economy out of my 500km old (not run in!) 2.0tsi with 6DSG then my remapped and well run in 1.2tsi with 7DSG......... shocking!.

Edited 20 September, 201114 yr by Yeti-RS

The plastics are cheap and hard, its kind of barren inside, even with a display screen and alloy trim piece.

Really it doesnt compare well to other VAG vehicles except for the fabia.

After posting that earlier post i did a delviery run with my GTI instead of my Yeti............ i got better economy out of my 500km old (not run in!) 2.0tsi with 6DSG then my remapped and well run in 1.2tsi with 7DSG......... shocking!.

interesting. I really can't see any difference in the quality of plastics between my yeti and my recently departed Octavia. And the economy of the 1.2 seems to be returning about 42 mpg at the moment (as per the trip rather than measured so far) whereas the 2.0 14o PD engine returned around the 45 mpg mark. Given that diesel is around 5p a litre more expensive I reckon the 1.2 is the better bet for me.

But then I've only done 150 miles in the yeti so far, early days yet

As for being a "budget" car mine is an SE and appears to have a lot more kit as standard than the similarly specced se Octavia and the plastics are the same or better.

If you look at the range of Yeti vs Octavia you will see that there is an offset in the trim designations. In broad terms the trim/equipment levels are:

Yeti E = Octavia S

Yeti S = Octavia SE

Yeti SE = Octavia Elegance

Yeti Elegance = Octavia L&K

You should be comparing your SE Yeti with the Octavia Elegance.

I think it is a cunning ploy to trick the target Octavia owning market to unwittingly upgrade a trim level.

Arrived today at the AD to deliver the Yeti for its first annual service and saw a very prominently displayed new Octavia Estate 1.8 TSI SE-plus for £4000 below list! Found myself drawn to the salesman's office to be offered an excellent trade-in on the Yeti and, I am afraid to say, impulsively signed to make the change. I am very pleased to be returning to an Octavia, and a pretty peppy one at that! Saving the service charge on the Yeti, and looking forward to collection.

That sounds familiar to the way I traded from an 06 Octavia 1.9TDi to my current Octavia 1.8TSI! I only went in to get an idea of what deals were available and made the mistake of accepting the invitation to sit in the one in the showroom!

I have no regrets! You will love the 1.8TSI - smooth, quiet, with phenominal acceleration for overtaking. Only downside is that when you give it some wellie you run out of speed limit too soon

Don't expect to achieve the published mpg though. When new mine averaged 34-35mpg, 1 year and 11500 miles later it has improved to an average of 37-39 with 40-42 on a 70-80mph motorway run.

I really missed the Octavia. The Yeti, in contrast, gets bad stone-chips, has dreadful wipers, mists up badly, gets plastered with filth and mud far more than our other cars, slides around on ice and snow in a way that the Octavia never did, and has a tiny boot! The Yeti is a better drive than an Octy in terms of sporty ride, but in several other areas is a less practical car.

Interesting comments... I've never had a problem with my wipers and cars only mist up if they have a leak and are damp inside... Mud on a softroader looks good IMHO! I've not had any stone chips in 10,000 miles of driving.

As to the sliding in snow and ice. Just read up on winter tyres. You will also find that most moans re Yetis in snow and ice on summer tyres come from 1,2 owners. Why? The engine is super lightweight and this there is not enough weight over the front wheels to get decent grip. So not a Yeti fault par se but very much engine and 2WD specific.

But you are staying within the fold and each person has different needs and requirements so enjoy the Octavia. From 1,2 to 1,8 sounds a nice upgrade to me!

Wise decision, the Yeti is a big let down in many areas.

I know the Yeti is a more 'budget' car, but the boot, plastics and visibility are all ****e.

AH..... I see our Yeti hater now posts here with his weird ideas... Never see you in the Yeti forum anymore as your views have been challenged every single time there as being slightly warped and quite a bit removed from most other people's experiences. But since they are subjective comments one is allowed them I guess.

The Yeti is in no way a "more "budget" car"! Not in the least. Your Yeti E with its black plastic dash trims (which you later covered in 3M film) and black plastic door pulls might feel and look "budget" but any spec level higher up than that is as classy inside as any Octavia. Just have a read again at what you were told in this epic thread and how your own views changed inexplicably over time: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/208663-bye-bye-yeti/

AH..... I see our Yeti hater now posts here with his weird ideas... Never see you in the Yeti forum anymore as your views have been challenged every single time there as being slightly warped and quite a bit removed from most other people's experiences. But since they are subjective comments one is allowed them I guess.

The Yeti is in no way a "more "budget" car"! Not in the least. Your Yeti E with its black plastic dash trims (which you later covered in 3M film) and black plastic door pulls might feel and look "budget" but any spec level higher up than that is as classy inside as any Octavia. Just have a read again at what you were told in this epic thread and how your own views changed inexplicably over time: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/208663-bye-bye-yeti/

This Yeti 'hater' is a Yeti OWNER.

I dont hate the Yeti anyway, its a great little tool, i use it for carrying big things and it does a tremendous job of it, engine is really punchy too.

Its a great car, but the plastics inside are horrid....... dont see whats so hard to see about that, maybe you haven't heard of soft touch plastics before?.

My GTI has such soft palstics on the dash, it feels like cushy leather around the clocks.

I'm guessing that there has been a thread over on the Yeti forum urging all Yeti owners to head over here to defend the little beast against all those who dare to criticise it

I'm guessing that there has been a thread over on the Yeti forum urging all Yeti owners to head over here to defend the little beast against all those who dare to criticise it

Actually nope. There wasn't a thread like that. We do come outside of our little enclave from time to time to see what the other forums say! Hehehe

I'm guessing that there has been a thread over on the Yeti forum urging all Yeti owners to head over here to defend the little beast against all those who dare to criticise it

Theres no telling them, any negativity no matter how correct against the Yeti gets a rather.... childish response!.

Reminds me of iphone owners

This Yeti 'hater' is a Yeti OWNER.

I dont hate the Yeti anyway, its a great little tool, i use it for carrying big things and it does a tremendous job of it, engine is really punchy too.

Its a great car, but the plastics inside are horrid....... dont see whats so hard to see about that, maybe you haven't heard of soft touch plastics before?.

My GTI has such soft palstics on the dash, it feels like cushy leather around the clocks.

I've never driven or even sat in a Yeti or a recent GTI but

Yeti 1.2TSI E = £14830. Golf GTI = £25305

Go figure.

(Isn't this the Octavia 2 forum by the way)

Edited 21 September, 201114 yr by juan27

Isn't this the Octavia 2 forum by the way.

Yes, what's your point, the OP now owns an Octavia.

I've never driven or even sat in a Yeti or a recent GTI but

Yeti 1.2TSI E = £14830. Golf GTI = £25305

Go figure.

The Golf GTi gets the same soft touch upper dashboard as the entry level Golf S.

A fairer comparison would be:

Yeti E 1.2 TSI 105PS = £14,830

Golf S 1.2 TSI 105PS = £16,715

Still, I'd rather save the £1,885 and take the Yeti any day of the week

Yes, what's your point, the OP now owns an Octavia.

I think my point is quite clear. The post I was responding to was a comparison of a GOLF and a YETI....

It astounds me that a buyer would choose an entry level Golf over an entry level Yeti and for far more money. As the OP, I should say that I think the Yeti is a very good car in the way it drives. It handles fantastically and is FUN to drive - more fun than an Octavia.

Got the Octy yesterday and very, very pleased. More of a grown-up's car - suits me and our needs! Yes - and very satisfying to have 1.8 after 1.2 too! Can't test it yet though - salesman says no running in needed - book says go slowly for 1000 miles! Who knows best?

Reverting to above discussion of my comment that the Yeti was hopeless in snow: I agree that it is partly the lightness of the 1.2 engine. The Yeti was fine after I fitted 4 winter tyres last year. However the point was that the old TDI diesel Octy I had before the Yeti was great in snow WITHOUT winter tyres ...

the great joy is that my Conti winters are just the right size for the new Octy also; so, 'come on, winter!'.

Got the Octy yesterday and very, very pleased.

Any piccies!?

The Golf GTi gets the same soft touch upper dashboard as the entry level Golf S.

A fairer comparison would be:

Yeti E 1.2 TSI 105PS = £14,830

Golf S 1.2 TSI 105PS = £16,715

Still, I'd rather save the £1,885 and take the Yeti any day of the week

I think I would say they aren't direct competitors.

Tiguan starts at £21K and that is not even a 4WD model..

Edited 23 September, 201114 yr by juan27

Reverting to above discussion of my comment that the Yeti was hopeless in snow: I agree that it is partly the lightness of the 1.2 engine. The Yeti was fine after I fitted 4 winter tyres last year. However the point was that the old TDI diesel Octy I had before the Yeti was great in snow WITHOUT winter tyres ...

the great joy is that my Conti winters are just the right size for the new Octy also; so, 'come on, winter!'.

My 2.0 Octy was absolutely awful in the snow with bridgestone potenzas. Switched to Nokians 2 years ago and it was bullet proof. I don't think it makes any sense to say that "Car X is awful in the snow" though, any more than it would be to compare a person wearing proper boots and a person wearing smooth soled shoes in the snow