Good Morning

I had a look around a Skoda Yeti and think it is the perfect upgrade from my current Honda Jazz (which has now been sold). I am thinking of getting the 1.2 DSG in SE or Elegance - the car is primarily a family car around town - and would love any thoughts from existing owners of things to consider.

A few other (possible useful) details:

-I will probably buy a new one assuming I can get one within a reasonable time frame (I have been reading the waiting list thread!)

-I have two young children

Any thoughts much appreciated.

This seems like a good choice of car. The 1.2 l engine is more than adequate for the Yeti as long as you don't need 4wd, or do any substantial amount of heavy trailer pulling.

But - with two young children you might want to take a look at the Roomster as well. It's not as refined and "luxury" feeling as the Yeti, but it has more room inside both for kids and stuff. And it being a bit narrower it's more convenient around town. You can get it with the same 1.2 TSI DSG combination.

Greetings from an ex-Yeti and current Roomster-owner

Personally I think the 1.2 DSG SE yeti is a great machine for a family.

We had exactly that car for 18 months, but recently traded it in for the same car in Elegance trim.

Purely because we were offered a very good part exchange price.

I borrowed a Roomster. Good car, but the front half being based on the Fabia means it's not as good to drive and the cabin is not such a nice place to be.

It depends wether you want a tool to do a job or you enjoy having a better and more fun to drive car. (IMO) As you have decided on a Yeti I'm guesing there will be reasons while you have done so.

Rear seat space is good.

The only slight negative thing about the Yeti is that boot space is not huge. It's big enough, but if you take a lot on trips you may struggle as it's no estate car.

However, this means you are not driving round in a larger car when you don't need to.

The secret is in packing the boot vertically, as the back of the car is flat, meaning you can actually get a lot in.

Or you could always get a roof box.

I believe the Elegance is worth it for the extra toys, if you can justify the price increase of about £2k. Better headlights and other features.

We also find the leather much easier to care for than a cloth interior with a child, it means we just don't worry about it.

Get the Elegance model,simply for the fact that it has ESP as standard fit-the SE has it only as a option.

I have a Yeti 1.2 SE DSG, and my wife a Jazz 1.3 i-shift. The Yeti is definitely a better car for a longer journey. The ride and quietness knocks the Jazz into touch, as does the DSG gearbox compared to i-shift. And having cruise control on the yeti, which I love. Boot space is about the same, with the spare type option in the Yeti. The Roomster is definitely a better bet for larger loads, but it is simply not in the Yeti class for comfort and looks. Where does the Jazz score? I would say primarily economy (51 mpg versus 41 mpg on the yeti when driven carefully, and the Jazz is cheaper to run - tyres and services in a different league, tax cheaper, Insurance the same.) Being a smaller car my wife prefers to drive it. The Honda dealership are normal humans and not motor-geeks. I would say the build quality of the Honda is better. Flusher panels, and no plastic has fallen off. If I had to give one up, I think we would keep the Yeti and not the Jazz, based on emotion rather than logic!

I went through the selection process myself not so long ago (although it seems like it!), and this was my own approach:

Firstly, match the mechanics to the intended job. In my case, DSG and towing were the main considerations (which brought me to the Yeti in the first place). You give yours as a family town car, so there seems little or no need for high power or 4x4 and the diesel DPF factor means petrol. The 1.2 looks good, then, and there is a lot of forum support for DSG for town driving. Alright so far?

The question of trim level is much more a question of personal choice, but in your position I would wonder about the relevance of a £1K velux and cornering lights to town driving. (How often would you actually open the lid, and most street lighting goes round the corners.) A TomTom or Garmin might be a fraction of the cost of a built-in satnav. There are different forum opinions about leather.v.fabric seats, too. In the end, it's your preferences, and a comparison of the cost of 'must-have' features both within trim levels and alternatively as upgrading extras might - I repeat 'might' - suggest savings that you would want to take advantage of.

YMMV.

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by brijo

Hi and welcome,

1.2 TSI DSG SE+ (Family Edition in Europe) would probably be the best choice if you have a young family; picnic tables in the back, boot storage bag, floor mats etc. Might also consider the folding front seat for possible DIY runs. Mainly town driving, then probably be able to get away without a spare to increase boot space but get TPM.

ESP and HHC standard with DSG option.

My thoughts on what might suite,

TP

Get the Elegance model,simply for the fact that it has ESP as standard fit-the SE has it only as a option.

DSG has it as standard.

Wow!

Thanks for all the replies, this is hugely useful.

I had thought about the Roomster, but I am not really a big fan of the looks (purely a personal thing, please don't be offended as having the same taste as me certainly isn't universally viewed as a good thing) and I really liked, and was surprised by, how comfortable the Yeti was.

The DSG choice is driven primarily by my wife's preference for an auto as I have no strong preference either way. In terms of trim levels I'll definitely look at the SE+, although the choice of leather was mainly driven by its 'wipe clean' properties than anything more (probably too much information, but our Honda Jazz has experienced considerably more than its fair share of child generated substances on the back seat).

notyeti's comment 'and no plastic has fallen off.' did raise an eyebrow though!

Thanks again for the warm welcome and advice.

DSG has it as standard.

Just testing to make sure you were paying attention!.

...child generated substances on the back seat...

We don't wish to know that, thank you!!

Having said that, we once had the misfortune of spilling a pint of milk over the back seat. Despite all possible attention, the car still (to us) smelt a bit when we passed it on.

child generated substances on the back seat).

No worse than child generating substances!

Had a JAZZ 1.4 CVT and now a Yeti 1.2 SE DSG.

Didn't go for the latest Jazz as inspite of the dimensions being slightly bigger than previous version the real extra usable space was hardly noticeable. In particular the boot width was about 2" narrower than previous model.

Jazz CVT very good and smooth (i-shift when tried was crap in comparison, notice they have gone back to CVT I assume by public demand. Honda dealer good.

Jazz very reliable, clever internal use of space.

Yeti has been a bit of a pain with lots of niggly problems (trim, paint finish, turbo fail, A/C not working, radio, 12v socket to name a few). Dealer response very good and helpfull. Boot space is different, maybe a touch larger even with spare wheel fitted. Yes have used it with pushchairs and if you fit things in vertical/diagonal mode takes more than a Jazz.

A liitle irritated with some of the electronic gizmos that constantly decide whats best for you (buzzers etc).

Have researched other models mainly due to reliability concerns but unable to find a comparable package.

My experience is not the norm as most on here report no problems but 1.2 DSG more problems reported than other specs but no particular pattern.

Most on here could list a dozen smallish items that could be improved in a model year change/facelift but you get the impression Skoda won't bother...we shall see (2013 model year changes being minimal, dealer couldn't quote any)

MPG Yeti 40, Jazz 42, insurance cheaper on Yeti amazingly (by £90), tyres 70% dearer on Yeti as not a

mainstream tyre fitted and not easy to source as in stock.

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by kibby

No worse than child generating substances!

Cough!

Careful Bob, you've been good lately, but it's still there!!

+++++++++++++++++

Re the plastics falling off; I think this may in reference to a few owners loosing a bit of the plastic trim on the roof bars, all of which have been replaced under warranty.

The plastic that fell off was the front corner roof rail attachment cover (£25). I am not alone - see this forum. Dealer replaced it FOC, but not without multiple phone calls and saying I am telling porkies.

I love the yeti, but I think Honda are better at finishing with the Jazz, whereas the Yeti wins overall. You won't find things like the middle rear seat that does not tip up completely on a Jazz, or the rear black plastic lights that are not flush, or the shenanigans over the spare wheel or not, and other minor details. I haven't had the milky badge - but that is another skoda feature.

We don't wish to know that, thank you!!

Having said that, we once had the misfortune of spilling a pint of milk over the back seat. Despite all possible attention, the car still (to us) smelt a bit when we passed it on.

This confirms all my worries about buying used cars...

No worse than child generating substances!

You know it's going to end badly when the conversation starts 'Dad, my ice-cream fell off'. I have learnt useful lessons in what can easily be removed.

Had a JAZZ 1.4 CVT and now a Yeti 1.2 SE DSG.

Didn't go for the latest Jazz as inspite of the dimensions being slightly bigger than previous version the real extra usable space was hardly noticeable. In particular the boot width was about 2" narrower than previous model.

Jazz CVT very good and smooth (i-shift when tried was crap in comparison, notice they have gone back to CVT I assume by public demand. Honda dealer good.

Jazz very reliable, clever internal use of space.

Yeti has been a bit of a pain with lots of niggly problems (trim, paint finish, turbo fail, A/C not working, radio, 12v socket to name a few). Dealer response very good and helpfull. Boot space is different, maybe a touch larger even with spare wheel fitted. Yes have used it with pushchairs and if you fit things in vertical/diagonal mode takes more than a Jazz.

A liitle irritated with some of the electronic gizmos that constantly decide whats best for you (buzzers etc).

Have researched other models mainly due to reliability concerns but unable to find a comparable package.

My experience is not the norm as most on here report no problems but 1.2 DSG more problems reported than other specs but no particular pattern.

Most on here could list a dozen smallish items that could be improved in a model year change/facelift but you get the impression Skoda won't bother...we shall see (2013 model year changes being minimal, dealer couldn't quote any)

MPG Yeti 40, Jazz 42, insurance cheaper on Yeti amazingly (by £90), tyres 70% dearer on Yeti as not a

mainstream tyre fitted and not easy to source as in stock.

Thanks for the details. Certainly something to bear in mind - I have had two Jazz's, and not a single thing has gone wrong on either.

The plastic that fell off was the front corner roof rail attachment cover (£25). I am not alone - see this forum. Dealer replaced it FOC, but not without multiple phone calls and saying I am telling porkies.

I love the yeti, but I think Honda are better at finishing with the Jazz, whereas the Yeti wins overall. You won't find things like the middle rear seat that does not tip up completely on a Jazz, or the rear black plastic lights that are not flush, or the shenanigans over the spare wheel or not, and other minor details. I haven't had the milky badge - but that is another skoda feature.

It is really good to hear that you still love the car despite the niggles.

I am off to find one, and will report back!

Edited 5 July, 201213 yr by londonjas

Good Morning

I had a look around a Skoda Yeti and think it is the perfect upgrade from my current Honda Jazz (which has now been sold). I am thinking of getting the 1.2 DSG in SE or Elegance - the car is primarily a family car around town - and would love any thoughts from existing owners of things to consider.

A few other (possible useful) details:

-I will probably buy a new one assuming I can get one within a reasonable time frame (I have been reading the waiting list thread!)

-I have two young children

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Sent you a PM