Hello,

I am interested in buying a new car (mini SUV) with limited budget of €27K, my option are as follows;

Yeti 1.2 TSI DSG (€27K)

Nissan Juke 1.6 Xtronic CVT (€25K)

Suzuki SX4 1.6 DOHC 16V(€21K)

I know it might not be the perfect car comparison, but in Israel for this budget this is what you get.

I was curious, does 4X2 version of YETI has AWD mode? to improve off road abilities.

Out of the 3, which car would you say has the most relatively off road abilities? (light off road)

The Juke (180 ground clearance) and the SX4 (175mm ground clearance) they both have an AWD switch (dunno how reliable it is, I shall do a test ride this week)

appreciate your feedback

Roi

You don't get 4x4 running gear on the Yeti mated to the 1,2 engine. It still has the ground clearance and should manage fine in light duty.

The Juke is a joke - it is a Nissan Micra that has been raised. So very small inside.

The SX4 is highly regarded as a go anywhere vehicle by many. Proper 4x4 with a bit of raised ground clearance. It is long in the tooth though and has been in production for years and years. The replacement can't be far off if indeed it will ever get replaced as it is a slow seller.

If you really, really want 4x4 get the SX4 and if you just want ground clearance and a fantastic car get the Yeti.

I've got a 4x4 Yeti and my wife has a 4x4 SX4 1.6 (had it for 5 years now).

The SX4 is great car but the 4x4 is quite crude - it simply has an automatic clutch that engages the rear wheels when it detects the fronts slipping. What I do like is it can be turned off completely to save fuel, set to AUTO when it gets a bit slippy and LOCK if you are actually in snow/mud and essentially locks the 'diffs' until you get out and then switches to AUTO once you get to 38MPH. It has really helped when in snow but it's not like a fancy quattro system that gives you a variable 4x4 power distribution when driving fast on back roads.

The Yeti is much better long distance car, the SX4 is a bit noisy at speed but great up to 60mph or so. But nearly new SX4s can be got for a good price (or the Fiat version).

Edited 5 December, 201114 yr by Deputy

I've got a 4x4 Yeti and my wife has a 4x4 SX4 1.6 (had it for 5 years now).

The SX4 is great car but the 4x4 is quite crude - it simply has an automatic clutch that engages the rear wheels when it detects the fronts slipping. What I do like is it can be turned off completely to save fuel, set to AUTO when it gets a bit slippy and LOCK if you are actually in snow/mud and essentially locks the 'diffs' until you get out and then switches to AUTO once you get to 38MPH. It has really helped when in snow but it's not like a fancy quattro system that gives you a variable 4x4 power distribution when driving fast on back roads.

The Yeti is much better long distance car, the SX4 is a bit noisy at speed but great up to 60mph or so. But nearly new SX4s can be got for a good price (or the Fiat version).

I had an SX4 4Grip 1.6 when they first came out and I got rid of it as soon as I could! The 4X4 function was, as already stated, a bit crude and I wouldn't use it offroad except in an emergency. Onroad however it did make the car feel more surefooted.

The main reason that I got rid of it was the LARGE "A" pillar that obstructed forward vision to such an extent that whenever I approached a junction I had to lean as far forward as I could to be able to safely see any approaching traffic.

Go for the Yeti every time, you won't regret it.

Fred

Quite simply, the Yeti has no competition on Tarmac without spending a considerable amount more. It's road manners are outstanding, in 2 or 4 wheel drive versions. Incredibly it has reasonable off road capability too and is ideal for European markets where most of its life will be spent on surfaced roads (even the poorly maintained UK ones).

However I do wonder how it will survive when subjected to a lot of use on unmade roads in those markets that have long distance unsurfaced roads (Australia, Middle East etc), as the suspension is relatively stiff and doesn't soak up vibration as well as an offroader with softer suspension. However, I'm sure it's longevity should match or exceed a VW Golf (on which it is based) in similar conditions. Plus it has a better ride height, so will suffer less loose stone impact especially if fitted with the rough road pack.

It really depends what use you are going to put it to. Mainly Tarmac - go for the Yeti. Mainly unmade roads, test drive first to make sure it suits you - it probably still will!

Edited 5 December, 201114 yr by speedsport

Thanks for all the replies.

Can anyone advise how will the Yeti 1.2 TSI go on dirt road / sand / gravel road ? I thought the SX4 will handle slippery road better than the Yeti.

Guess I'll have to take the guy from the Skoda dealership off road .. lol

Thanks for all the replies.

Can anyone advise how will the Yeti 1.2 TSI go on dirt road / sand / gravel road ? I thought the SX4 will handle slippery road better than the Yeti.

Guess I'll have to take the guy from the Skoda dealership off road .. lol

I'd suggest that tyres will be the deciding factor.

Low profile tyres on any car aren't ideal for continuous use on gravel roads as the sidewall won't be flexible enough to absorb the uneven surface. In your own market, you may find that they fit the Yeti with a "taller" tyre (eg 215/60) on 16" rims rather than the low profile tyres (225/50) on 17" alloys that we get in the UK on all but the base model. A reinforced sidewall may be a necessity to avoid sidewall damage too, depending on the state of your roads.

The tread pattern of the best Tarmac tyres is not designed for gravel either, a chunkier tread is better for use away from sealed surface roads. My Yeti was supplied with Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres - which are fitted (in a different size) to many sports cars. It's an terrific tyre on asphalt, but I wouldn't want to subject it to regular & prolonged use at speed on gravel roads.

The above is common to all cars, not just the Yeti.

Check the brochure to see what they fit as standard in your market, and check the options too. If he/she knows the product, the dealer should be able to advise you what tyre alternatives are available too (famous last words!!)

Edited 5 December, 201114 yr by speedsport

I've had my 1.2 Yeti for three months now and it has been fine on rough, rutted and mud filled farm tracks. The ground clearance has been the biggest help I have noticed in comparison with an Octavia which in the same tracks was always scraping the bottom off rocks