At least one magazine road test has described the Yeti's ride as 'jittery'. I can't say I've really found that, but I do notice a significant difference in the ride depending how heavily loaded the car is. With a bit more weight on board it always feels more solidly planted, more stable, and it feels like it's 'running on rails' round long fast corners. With just me on board, and close to empty on fuel, I can understand the 'jittery' comment. However, even filling up the fuel tank makes a difference, adding the wife a bit more (thank goodness she doesn't read this, or I'd get "are you saying I'm fat" ). Best of all is having the dog and bags on board as well ... or am I just in a good mood then 'cos I'm going on holiday?

Any other opinions? Do others share my view that a 'loaded' Yeti feels better on the road than an 'empty' one?

At least one magazine road test has described the Yeti's ride as 'jittery'. I can't say I've really found that, but I do notice a significant difference in the ride depending how heavily loaded the car is. With a bit more weight on board it always feels more solidly planted, more stable, and it feels like it's 'running on rails' round long fast corners. With just me on board, and close to empty on fuel, I can understand the 'jittery' comment. However, even filling up the fuel tank makes a difference, adding the wife a bit more (thank goodness she doesn't read this, or I'd get "are you saying I'm fat" ). Best of all is having the dog and bags on board as well ... or am I just in a good mood then 'cos I'm going on holiday?

Any other opinions? Do others share my view that a 'loaded' Yeti feels better on the road than an 'empty' one?

this was one of my concerns before buying but I can't say I have experienced it at all empty or heavy. There's a set of rumble strips near my house and when driving over these my Octavia IIs always felt a bit jittery at the rear (the Octavia 1 did not), but the yeti has been fine on it. Sounds minor (and it is) but it's just something I have to cross every time I leave home so I do notice.

I find it feels very well planted one up but I am a fat git so..But I do find Yeti alarmingly skittish on standing water- seems to aquaplane very easily compared to my last few cars- Tiguan and Golfs.Possibly tyres- we shall see when the winter jobs go on.

PPerhaps some harder or sports springs may help, unless you're intending on regular off road use.

I do find Yeti alarmingly skittish on standing water- seems to aquaplane very easily compared to my last few cars-

That might well be tyres. I was actually really pleasantly surprised (posted about it way back in February or thereabouts) how good the Yeti was in the wet. Blatting along the motorway in a torrential downpour with some huge puddles there was none of the 'snatch' at the steering wheel I've experienced on many front wheel drive cars ... including 2 Golf GTIs and a VR6 ... the car just kept going with excellent grip and control.

I agree that that can be tyres. Especially 225mm wide 17s.

There were a number of early jurno reports that the ride could be jittery or jiggly. I did on occasion notice this with my first 140 SE but only on the poorest of road surfaces.

However had no such issues with the 110 4x4, bare in mind though she's factory fitted and set-up to run the 16" wheels (not the 17" of the SE) and the front assembly carrier (subframe), wish bones and bushes were replaced with a new design in August 2010. Oh for the 2wd it's had both front and rear subframes changed it the Yeti's life cycle so far.

These design changes will have had some effect on how the current monsters coming of the line handle on the road to their early production brethren.

TP

I have had my Yeti (1.8 tsi Elegance) only one week but so far I think the drive is excellent. It feels very solid even with no passengers and near empty tank. Before I bought I had actually seen the odd Journal comment about "Jittery" ride and it did nearly put me off- glad I didn't listen. One well known site refers to a jittery ride but their video review makes no such comment and praises the ride. So much for consistency!Also, remember a certain TV journalst who tested the car to near destruction (the one with helicopter landing on the roof) - he made no comments on jittery ride! I guess it might be worth checking your tyre pressures perhaps?

Don't misunderstand me, I don't accept the jittery ride suggestion and I find the ride generally good. But I do notice a difference between an empty (except for me) car with a close to empty fuel tank and one that is more fully laden. I simply wanted to know if others have the same experience. And I've got 225/50 x 17 tyres, inflated to the correct pressures, which grip beautifully in the rain.

I suppose I probably carry too much stuff in my boot, (Tool box, large First Aid bag, extinguisher, tow rope), but might agree with Bob, there is a difference. I have certainly never noticed it as jiggly however.

Something for TP.

Are the springs and dampers the same in all the diesels?

I have the heaviest model of all with 4x4 & DSG, and the towbar installed in the tool box. I even have 3 seats in the rear at the moment :lol:

Even Elsie I would describe at times slightly jittery one up, but as not really travelled much with her full up, can't comment on the improvement in ride quality, but I would expect it to improve.

Many years ago I had a classic RR with heavy duty springs and it was far worse then the yeti. But with 3 people on board and a washing machine in the boot it was soooo comfortable!!!!!

So Inwould expect the same to be with the case with the Yeti. There will be an optimum weight on board beyond which the handling will be barge like rather than on rails like.

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PPerhaps some harder or sports springs may help, unless you're intending on regular off road use.

Maybe- but I do use the Yeti off road. And cannot for the life of me think why anybody would buy one if they didnt need 4wd and off road potential. Buy a Golf- faster, lighter and more economical. V pleased with Yeti but like all 4Wds one has to accept a price in 'normal ' driving.And 'sports' and Yeti is sort of oxymoronic to me.

Maybe- but I do use the Yeti off road. And cannot for the life of me think why anybody would buy one if they didnt need 4wd and off road potential. Buy a Golf- faster, lighter and more economical. V pleased with Yeti but like all 4Wds one has to accept a price in 'normal ' driving.And 'sports' and Yeti is sort of oxymoronic to me.

+1

Don't misunderstand me, I don't accept the jittery ride suggestion and I find the ride generally good. But I do notice a difference between an empty (except for me) car with a close to empty fuel tank and one that is more fully laden. I simply wanted to know if others have the same experience. And I've got 225/50 x 17 tyres, inflated to the correct pressures, which grip beautifully in the rain.

And your Yeti is probably 150(ish)kg heavier than ours.

We notice the difference when it's full, but even driving alone with half a tank of fuel the ride is good. Not jittery at all, it handles really well and feels quite nippy as it weights nearly the same as the Fabia mkI diesel. Which is a noticably smaller car.

Maybe- but I do use the Yeti off road. And cannot for the life of me think why anybody would buy one if they didnt need 4wd and off road potential. Buy a Golf- faster, lighter and more economical. V pleased with Yeti but like all 4Wds one has to accept a price in 'normal ' driving.And 'sports' and Yeti is sort of oxymoronic to me.

The driving position is good. You are not sitting on the floor like in a regular car.

Handy for families (baby seats) and people with mobility issues/well used knees.

Probably why so many 2wd ones (ours included) have been sold.

Probably why there is no VRS, it's not got much "sports" target market.

Interesting - as Ithink the driving postion, although comfy ,is one of the compromises of soft roader ownership. I just dont really understand why some folk buy 1500kg++ 4wds and faux 4wds when they dont really need to.

Interesting - as Ithink the driving postion, although comfy ,is one of the compromises of soft roader ownership. I just dont really understand why some folk buy 1500kg++ 4wds and faux 4wds when they dont really need to.

You are describing me and I suspect a lot of others. To be honest I don't really understand either but my best attempt would be to say that if I look back over my vehicle history the last powered vehicle that was what I needed and no more was a Honda CD175 I owned as sole transport in the mid 70's although, upon proper analysis, a C90 step-through would have been sufficient.

From reading posts on this forum I believe up to 5% of members might genuinely "need" 4x4 Yetis.Among those that do some could no doubt make a properly shod 2wd do all they need.

I chose a Yeti because I was attracted to the look,enjoyed the drive, find the size useful without being excessive and went for the intelligent 4X4 to provide me with more capability than I have the know how to employ.

And your problem with that is.........?

And your problem with that is.........?

I for one don't have one. I bought the Yeti because it represented the best all round compromise package for my various needs/uses of a car. 95% of the time I don't need the 4x4 capability, but for a few weeks in winter, on the steep, narrow, twisty, mile long, unmade farm track that separates my house from the main highway it's pretty useful.

Over the last two winters I had a number of difficult journeys, one of which I was only just able to complete and which I had no choice but to make. But I still don't feel the need to justify my choice of vehicle to someone who "doesn't understand" :wonder:

I have a 4x4 because I WANT TO!!

Yes I probably could get away with a normal car most of the time, but driving many miles throught forest stages after a rally is most uncomfortable and nerve wracking hearing the sump rattling on the gravel, plus I have to get to work at silly hours, on roads that are often waterlogged, muddy and slippery. I'm ignoring the snow because I realise that 2WD and winter tyres might suffice, but 4x4 gives me a liitle more security.

Also having the 4x4 gives me a chance to join in the silly man's "big society" guff, as I am able to work with my 4x4 Response team providing aid and assistance to various bodies in the community, which I find most satisfying.

I have a 4x4 because I WANT TO!!

Yes I probably could get away with a normal car most of the time, but driving many miles throught forest stages after a rally is most uncomfortable and nerve wracking hearing the sump rattling on the gravel, plus I have to get to work at silly hours, on roads that are often waterlogged, muddy and slippery. I'm ignoring the snow because I realise that 2WD and winter tyres might suffice, but 4x4 gives me a liitle more security.

Also having the 4x4 gives me a chance to join in the silly man's "big society" guff, as I am able to work with my 4x4 Response team providing aid and assistance to various bodies in the community, which I find most satisfying.

You are someone who has a very good reason for having and using a 4x4 and have my full respect for your voluntary work -but your phrase in bold is the real answer.

Our roads would be very different if we all only drove what we need. Dacias/Nivas, immaculately kept Renault 4s and 2CVs and van based mini people carriers for those with large families and lots and lots of step through Hondas.

If you watch traffic for a while and delete all cars with more than 60bhp and all single occupancy 4 wheelers.....

so less of the need talk while we live in a society where we can choose.

Over the last two winters I had a number of difficult journeys, one of which I was only just able to complete and which I had no choice but to make. But I still don't feel the need to justify my choice of vehicle to someone who "doesn't understand" :wonder:

No need to justify my dear chap- people should drive what they want- white Range Rover Sports excepted obviously. I have no problem in a person buying a 4wd if they dont need one - apart from, I admit it, daft suburban bimbos in X5s and Cayennes- it is just I do not see the benefit in lugging round several hundred kilos worth of extra mechanicals to do something that is rarely ,if ever done and which costs extra cash,often compromises road holding and ride and consumes more fuel for no real benefit. I am in a minority of course as 4wds sell in vast numbers and if folk want to own Yetis that is fine by me.

Grayson-I do decline any suggestion I should justify. Sorry I misread your post thinking it was an invitation to do so. I can see from your stable that you are not racked by doubts about the necessity of your vehicles

No need to justify my dear chap- people should drive what they want- white Range Rover Sports excepted obviously. I have no problem in a person buying a 4wd if they dont need one - apart from, I admit it, daft suburban bimbos in X5s and Cayennes- it is just I do not see the benefit in lugging round several hundred kilos worth of extra mechanicals to do something that is rarely ,if ever done and which costs extra cash,often compromises road holding and ride and consumes more fuel for no real benefit. I am in a minority of course as 4wds sell in vast numbers and if folk want to own Yetis that is fine by me.

No problem, Grayson.

I've argued with the greenie anti-4x4 lobby in the past, who thought my Freelander was killing the planet!

I will take you up on one part though, and that is the section in red above.

Comparing the kerb weights of the 110 diesel shows thus:

2wd : 1415kg

4x4 : 1525kg

and a 140 4x4 1530kg

Not exactly "several hundred kilo's" is it?

I would also suggest that the 4x4 actually handles slightly better than the straight front wheel drive especially when wet.

And since I'm still getting top 40's mpg I can't complain.

No problem, Grayson.

I've argued with the greenie anti-4x4 lobby in the past, who thought my Freelander was killing the planet!

I will take you up on one part though, and that is the section in red above.

Comparing the kerb weights of the 110 diesel shows thus:

2wd : 1415kg

4x4 : 1525kg

and a 140 4x4 1530kg

Not exactly "several hundred kilo's" is it?

I would also suggest that the 4x4 actually handles slightly better than the straight front wheel drive especially when wet.

And since I'm still getting top 40's mpg I can't complain.

Agreed.

But a 1.2tsi only weighs 1265kg, or a greenline 1335kg, so they are 100's (ish) of kg lighter than my gargantuan CR140DSG at 1480kg, based on the MY 12 brochure.

or according to my manual, 1.2tsi 1340kg, greenline 1410kg(tech changes manual) and my CR140DSG 1555kg

So mine is about 215kg heavier than a 1.2tsi or 145kg heavier than a Greenline.

and no I'm not comparing like for like, but to an outsider a Yeti is a Yeti......(and mine could easily be confused with a 1.2tsi DSG which is 185kg lighter.... as I have no rear badges......)

I find the extra security of four wheel drive reassuring in bad weather conditions.

I also WANT to drive the Yeti because I think it is a great car.