Things to consider when choosing 2 or 4 wheel drive?

Considering adding a Yeti to the car pool and wondering on the factors I may be over-looking when considering the 2 or 4 wheel versions.

Am aware 2 wheel drive usually does not have ESP but that it does about 5 mpg better on average perhaps. Anything else noteworthy??

If its a pool car that anyone may end up driving I would suggest a petrol, definitely if the journeys are short and the driver does not know what to do 'should' the DPF light come on. Diesels are only efficient when hot and warm up slower that a petrol.

Depending on the above that could dictate 2WD or AWD as not all engines are available in AWD spec.

I guess the primary question is is the car likely to have to negotiate dodgy road conditions and carry heavier loads (a tow car?) if not stick with a 2WD, quite a few 1.2 TSi engine owners on here who can comment better than I.

If its a pool car that anyone may end up driving I would suggest a petrol, definitely if the journeys are short and the driver does not know what to do 'should' the DPF light come on. Diesels are only efficient when hot and warm up slower that a petrol.

Depending on the above that could dictate 2WD or AWD as not all engines are available in AWD spec.

I guess the primary question is is the car likely to have to negotiate dodgy road conditions and carry heavier loads (a tow car?) if not stick with a 2WD, quite a few 1.2 TSi engine owners on here who can comment better than I.

When I say pool car I only mean driven by me and the better half and possibly older kids if not too expensive to add to policy.

Local dealer has a diesel Urban and SE plus with the same engine but worried having a 4x4 type vehicle without the 4 wheel drive is a bit of a con but then the 2 wheel drive system seems well thought off and fuel consumption is better but then there is no ESP usually on the 2 wheel drive and I have seen it come on the Octy VRS, so must do something.

Dilemma!

You could argue that it boils down to which engine you want. The only one available in both 2 and 4WD is the 110PS 2.0 TDI. If you like VRS's, then you will probably be looking at a 4WD anyway.

According to the current brochure, ESP is fitted to all 2WD Elegance and Greenline II

And another thing... on your Octy, does the ESP warning light double up as the TCS (traction control) light as it does in the Yeti? If so, there's a good chance that you've seen that instead especially under heavy acceleration.

If you go for a diesel give serious thought to a heated front windscreen, the heater takes forever to warm up. Its embarrasing having a car that can go almost anywhere but not being able to drive off because you can't see through the windscreen.

but then there is no ESP usually on the 2 wheel drive and I have seen it come on the Octy VRS, so must do something.

Dilemma!

gone beyond the laws of physics then in the vRS.

Won't buy a new car without that feature myself.

TP

gone beyond the laws of physics then in the vRS.

Won't buy a new car without that feature myself.

TP

Was going down hill and on a long sweeping bend and it was very wet which is just the sort of place where ESP would kick in I would have thought.

it has been said that that terrible coach crash on the M4/25 junction may not have happened if the coach had had ESP as it would have corrected the out of shapeness.

General have thought ESP should be made mandatory on all new cars like ABS was a few years ago.

But it does sound a bit stingey to have one warning light for ESP and traction so you cannot be sure it is one or other.

Edited 28 September, 201213 yr by lol

As I understand it, you need to have the same size circumference wheels on a 4x4, so using a space saver for an extended period of time is a no no.

As I understand it, you need to have the same size circumference wheels on a 4x4, so using a space saver for an extended period of time is a no no.

The Yeti is not permanent 4x4, so the majority of the time only drives the front wheels, when accelerating hard or on loose surfaces the haldex does its magic and drives the rears, so not an issue I don't think.

Personally answering the OPs question, I got the 4x4 just because I could and I wanted the 170 diesel, having had the car for just over a year now I will be having another, the car is sure footed and feels extremely safe, even when knocking on or getting up to speed in the wet, as for fuel consumption, published figures are a mere dream, I believe the figures are set running the car on a rolling road as I have never achieved them, I have been getting 43mpg average on mixed road driving.

I am sure whichever Yeti you decide on, you will enjoy driving it.

But it does sound a bit stingey to have one warning light for ESP and traction so you cannot be sure it is one or other.

I suppose TCS generally occurs on acceleration, and ESP on braking. Either way, most drivers (including me) would only be aware of a yellow light briefly flashing. ESP is well worth while, especially when the wheels are on different surfaces.

The Yeti is not permanent 4x4, so the majority of the time only drives the front wheels, when accelerating hard or on loose surfaces the haldex does its magic and drives the rears, so not an issue I don't think.

Some drive (I saw a figure of 4%) is always applied to the rears, just more when needed in conditions like those you mention. More knowledgeable folks than me here on these forums recommended I get a full-size spare for my 4x4. So it could be an issue.

Edited 28 September, 201213 yr by Yearofthegoat

If you go for a diesel give serious thought to a heated front windscreen, the heater takes forever to warm up. Its embarrasing having a car that can go almost anywhere but not being able to drive off because you can't see through the windscreen.

Funny isn't it? Even in the depths of last winter I found the heater on my diesel was producing warm air within 4 miles of home, from a cold start in the street, driven straight away, not left to warm up first (Showing consideration to neighbours at 0430!!)

As I understand it, you need to have the same size circumference wheels on a 4x4, so using a space saver for an extended period of time is a no no.

Using any space saver wheel for longer than needed to get to a tyre place is a big NO NO, and I think you will find that the Yeti spare is hardly any difference circumference wise. Plus what James says.

And to "lol";

Exactly why do you think you need a 4x4?

Do the other drivers have any experience of 4x4?

I went 4x4 'cos I wanted the CR170.

The Octy VRS CR seemed to scrabble a lot trying to put the power down, whereas the Yeti just goes.

I've tried Superbs with FWD and 4x4 and the 4x4 seemed much keener to turn - my assumption is that the ESP and Haldex shift the power around to get the car around the corner quicker.

That said, as others have pointed out, with the Yeti the choice of FWD or 4x4 is largely dictated by the engine you choose.

And to "lol";

Exactly why do you think you need a 4x4?

Do the other drivers have any experience of 4x4?

Well me and the better half both have jobs where we sometimes really need to get to a visit, either in the Midland or UK, and am wondering if the 4 wheel drive would be substantial better at that. Happy to invest in winter tyres which ever model we get but is it really worth getting the 4 wheel drive for ten or so bad days a year and if the 2 wheel drive can be quite good in bad weather and does much better mpg in the other 350 odd days. Not to worried about whether 110,140 or 170 as I expect it to be driven relatively sedately. If want to go quick then will use the Fabia VRS or bike.

Edited 29 September, 201213 yr by lol

Well me and the better half both have jobs where we sometimes really need to get to a visit, either in the Midland or UK, and am wondering if the 4 wheel drive would be substantial better at that. Happy to invest in winter tyres which ever model we get but is it really worth getting the 4 wheel drive for ten or so bad days a year and if the 2 wheel drive can be quite good in bad weather and does much better mpg in the other 350 odd days. Not to worried about whether 110,140 or 170 as I expect it to be driven relatively sedately. If want to go quick then will use the Fabia VRS or bike.

Sounds like you've already made your mind up. A lower powered 2wd running winter rubber in the colder months.

I suppose TCS generally occurs on acceleration, and ESP on braking. Either way, most drivers (including me) would only be aware of a yellow light briefly flashing. ESP is well worth while, especially when the wheels are on different surfaces.

How ESP works and how it can save you in various conditions (with the correct tyres for time of year obviously).

TP

Then personally I would say go for a 2 wheel drive and a set of winter tyres.

Then personally I would say go for a 2 wheel drive and a set of winter tyres.

OR you could go for the 4x4 version and when we go for another meet you can join us to play in the mud or the quarry and not leave your Yeti in the car park with the uber low Fabia types

OR you could go for the 4x4 version and when we go for another meet you can join us to play in the mud or the quarry and not leave your Yeti in the car park with the uber low Fabia types

Take it your vRS was at home and not one of those in the car park then

Just ordered a Monte for Mrs TP, so I will also need to make sure I have the right vehicle for the event being attended

Already referring to the new order as our Mid-life Crisis rather than a Monte Carlo :rofl:

Oh and on a more serious note hope you get her sorted :yes:

TP

Thanks Mr TP, the Fabia was at home as you say and our Yeti was a taxi for the Fabiaists who were in park ferme, I really like the Fabia and hope it can be sorted soon as it is great fun for the weekends, I love the Yeti too but when you do 50k a year in a car sometimes it can get tedious.

The Monte is a car my lad is looking at being 17, however the insurance comes close to that of the national debt. 1.2 petrol version hopefully.

Thanks Mr TP, the Fabia was at home as you say and our Yeti was a taxi for the Fabiaists who were in park ferme, I really like the Fabia and hope it can be sorted soon as it is great fun for the weekends, I love the Yeti too but when you do 50k a year in a car sometimes it can get tedious.

The Monte is a car my lad is looking at being 17, however the insurance comes close to that of the national debt. 1.2 petrol version hopefully.

My teenage lad is also running a Fabia HTP, started with a 03 classic 54PS and recently we helped him upgrade to a 59 plate 70PS Level 1 trim. With a multi car policy the premiums have been, for us anyway, reasonable even with him being the named driver and R/K.

TP

We haven't found any reasonable quotes, Fabia vrs all quotes refused, Yeti quotes from 12k to 18k, even a free mk ii golf diesel the quote was 10k.

We have looked into the new car and the quote is around 4k but the car is more expensive, he is in uni s a car would be a luxury at the minute so we may hold off a year or two. I think the youth of today are being hammered for excessive insurance.

We haven't found any reasonable quotes, Fabia vrs all quotes refused, Yeti quotes from 12k to 18k, even a free mk ii golf diesel the quote was 10k.

We have looked into the new car and the quote is around 4k but the car is more expensive, he is in uni s a car would be a luxury at the minute so we may hold off a year or two. I think the youth of today are being hammered for excessive insurance.

Wow those are very high and scary figures, not aware of any of my lads friends paying anything much over 2.5k tops round here, even for a Corsa.

As you say hammered and a potential stumbling block to helping them find and get to work.

TP

After watching last week's Fifth Gear which covered ESP in detail, if indeed we order another SE 110 diesel FWD I will be adding ESP as the only option when our lease expires in June 2013.

Also all car manufactured from 2014 will have ESP as standard. I've been in a few tricky high speed 'siuation's taking evasive action in our Yeti on a few occasions, I think the general overall stability of the car helped a lot.

LOL: If you do go for a diesel or petrol Yeti, winter tyres are a must FWD OR 4X4.