Looking for a bit of advice. I currently have a 13 reg Koa Sportage 1.6 petrol (2wd) and I really do not like it. Horribly under powered engine, uneconomical (mid 30s mpg) and in my case, problematic with gearbox, stereo and other switch issues. Because of all this I am looking at getting rid of it but due to budget will probably need to replace it with a used car.

I don't so a huge amount of miles per year but the journeys I do do all tend to be over 10 miles often at higher speeds.

So. I am looking at the Yeti but would like to know what people think of the various engines. Are the lower powered smaller diesels any good? The Sportage has 133bhp but it's all at 6000rpm so totally wasted. I'm not even confident overtaking on A roads without a really good run up! In contrast my wife has an Audi A4 with diesel with 170bhp and it is a wonderful machine. Makes me sad getting into mine afterwards :-)

I'd like a diesel for the fuel economy over a petrol ideally, but I'm open to options.

Thanks for your help.

I've got a 140bhp 4x4 diesel. Had it for more than 3 years and it has now done just over 80k miles. Overall I've got the top 40's fuel consumption, which has included off-road low gear work and quite a bit of towing.

 

Only problems have been minor. 

 

I looked at a Sportage before we bought the Yeti but didn't like the reduced headroom at the back.

I also have a 3 1/2 year old 140BHP 4x4 and fuel economy is in the low to mid 40s'.  Kitten and I have covered just over 20K from new

 

NO problems whatsoever, and there is LOTS of power for overtaking at all speeds, and LOTS of good accelerating power too :yes:

 

Welcome to the forum chuckalicious.  

The 140 and 170 dieaels are very torquey and reasonably economical but if you are not doing many miles I would suggest buying a petrol. The 1.2 TSI isn't far behind the diesels in therms of real wod economy and the price hike of buying the more expensive diesel will take a lot of miles to recoup in fuel salvings. Plus they're more expensive to service and diesel is 6-8p a litre more expensive than petrol.

I have not driven the 1.2tsi but those that have do remark how surprisingly nippy and brink the acceleration is - so I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Out here, the Mazda range, with its skyactive engines are worth more than a look ie 14/1cr on 91ulp giving close to diesel economy on standard petrol.

CX5 would be the nearest Yeti competitor.

This does surprise me after looking at all the reviews on You Tube especially from Auto express and other UK reviewers. The one model that they do tell you to shy away from is the Petrol version of the Sportage/ix35 though. The latest Diesel versions of both have been tweaked for better fuel economy but do not come any where near to the Yetis economy. As Ryeman states the Mazda CX5 gets some very good reviews even for the skyactive petrol version. Myself I would not part with my 140 BHP DSG version of the Yeti, best car I,ve ever owned.

Tony

Me too manxman,

Every trip evokes a smile!

Wow, what a response.

Interesting about the lower petrol models being good - I will check them out. I just don't know if I better off with petrol or diesel - I only did 6000 miles this year but it's going up each year. I just found that on each journey I could literally see my fuel needle go down during the journey whereas with my wife's diesel the same journey hardly touched it. I know lots of people who have diesels and do low miles, but doesn't meant it's the right engine for them I suppose

I looked at the CX5 but it is way out of my price range. Shame as it is a gorgeous car.

I also don't need 4x4 all the time, but I do live in a nearer that when we get bad weather it can be a bit messy so it would be nice to have the option.

Thanks again

1.2TSI typically returns around 35-38mpg.

The 2.0 diesels return around 40-45mpg.

 

But as I say, you'll probably be paying £1500-£2000 more to buy a diesel, followed by 6-8p per litre more for the black pump and another £50-£100 each service.

 

Oh and when the DPF goes into regen on a diesel your MPG gets briefly trashed (I regularly see around 30mpg when it's regen time).

 

The analysts suggest it takes around 45,000 miles before the diesel becomes cheaper. If you're only doing 6000 miles a year that will take you nearly 8 years.

 

I would definitely try the petrol.

Thanks. Maybe its a mental thing, but seeing greater mpg seems to win over cost. May need to get over that. Also enjoy the torque of a diesel engine, although i see the Yeti petrol engines have more than my Sportage.

Thanks. Maybe its a mental thing, but seeing greater mpg seems to win over cost. May need to get over that. Also enjoy the torque of a diesel engine, although i see the Yeti petrol engines have more than my Sportage.

 

I do know what you mean about greater mpg outweighing purchase price. Also it all depends on how much of an accountant you might be. It's undeniably true for you to need to be doing eg 12-15000 miles a year for diesel to become more economical overall.

 

But subjectively I and I imagine some others see initial and running costs as rather distinct. If you buy a car outright then the money been paid and gone and you tend to forget about it. Whereas you're reminded of running costs every time you visit the filling station, eg every 2 weeks. You'll fill up less often with a diesel but it will cost slightly more to do so at each fill.

 

I think that average journey length from cold is another important factor. I think most agree that diesels take longer to warm up than petrol (as judged from oil temperature reaching normal). So if your typical commute is eg 10-12 miles then I'd suggest that the petrol/diesel mpg ratio is closer than on long journeys.

 

There's also the issue too that particulate emissions from diesels are slowly being recognised as more dangerous than previously thought (DPF notwithstanding). So I wouldn't personally be surprised for taxation on diesels to rise in the coming years.

 

Not an easy decision at all (unless the model spec you'd prefer pushes you in a particular direction - eg if you want a more powerful Yeti with DSG then CR170 is your only option!)

I'd also recommend a look at the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross. It has a 120bhp 1.6 diesel that goes well and does very nicely on fuel (50+ MPG is realistic), plus fits into the £30 a year road tax bracket even if you pick the 4wd option.

It doesn't have quite the same premium feel as some alternatives, but it's priced very sensibly and neither does it feel cheap.

Again all brilliant replies, so thank you. Would you all agree that even with some shorter journeys the diesels should be no less efficient? Even if the higher mpg is only seen on longer journeys?

I am going to look at some today so will get a better feel. Thanks for the Suzuki tip nwill check it out too.

1.2TSI typically returns around 35-38mpg.

The 2.0 diesels return around 40-45mpg.

 

But as I say, you'll probably be paying £1500-£2000 more to buy a diesel, followed by 6-8p per litre more for the black pump and another £50-£100 each service.

 

Does it? The most I have ever paid for a service is £250, and that included the Haldex oil and brake fluid change. Generally my services have been around £150. How much is a petrol service?

 

Oh and when the DPF goes into regen on a diesel your MPG gets briefly trashed (I regularly see around 30mpg when it's regen time).

 

Why is it "trashed"? It ups the fueling slightly and rarely for for more than 10 minutes. And most people don't even realise that the regen is occurring.

 

The analysts suggest it takes around 45,000 miles before the diesel becomes cheaper. If you're only doing 6000 miles a year that will take you nearly 8 years.

 

I would definitely try the petrol.

Aw man, this just keeps getting more complicated. I have no idea what the right choice is.

Logic says petrol for your mileage but the very best thing is to try one if you find it feels right and does what you want then the decision will make itself. vehicle choice can never really be made by research -research will provide candidates but only experience can lead to selection in real life.

Alternatively - their are the 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel 2WD Yeti's. 

I average 50mpg through the warmer months, 40ish in the winter (2.0 litre 110 bhp)

Had a few journeys caught in slower moving motorway traffic (50mph) and I often average over 60mpg, that's with 5 of us on board. Had no DPF issues and my wife and I  both drive the car with mixed motorway and city driving. Choices choices??

Right, no more suggestions! Please! :-) i think I have enough info and yes I need to get out and try them all. Next test will be fitting buggy in the boot - but lets not go there yet ;-)

I've got a 140bhp 4x4 diesel. Had it for more than 3 years and it has now done just over 80k miles. Overall I've got the top 40's fuel consumption, which has included off-road low gear work and quite a bit of towing.

 

Only problems have been minor. 

 

I looked at a Sportage before we bought the Yeti but didn't like the reduced headroom at the back.

 

I agree with what Graham has to say, I have the same car with a DSG box., which is fantastic. The Yeti was my choice too after looking at the Sportage.

 

Some of the reasons I went for the Yeti:

Far better ride, and its not fabulous on the Yeti.

Far Better handling

DSG box

140 diesel is quick.

 

I love the styling of the Sportage (styled by the ex-Audi man of TT fame), with those sexy white DLR's, please take note Skoda.

 

2 things that took me away from the Sportage in the end, the local Kia dealer wouldn't give me a decent p/x on my Merc. However, the main reason was the roly-poly ride made my partner feel sick. As I have said, the thought of rolling over hill and down dale with your partner's head out the window leaving behind a trial of that day's lunch does have some appeal, but really, not in the long term.... 

The only worry for me relates to the DSGs ( wet or dry ) reliability outside of warranty.

Hi have DSG 2. Litre Diesel.

 

Have been a Diesel, freek for 32 years, was initally dissapointed which my Milage,

Whilst it was new averaged a 530 Km to a Tank, now get after 30,000KM, 650 Km to the tank and it doesn't touch the Red Line.

Like most diesels if you work them, they become better.

When I was looking for a replacement for my TD5 Landrover Manual, 13 years later with 385,000Km trouble free motoring.

The Yeti (My Snowman) was the easiest and comfortable to drive, especially with the Auto. And I tried every similar size vehicle in the AUS.

Market and none came close to my "Snowman".

And I have a neigbour who has 1971/351V8 Falcon GTHO and gets really pizzed off when my snowman drags him of at the lights.

Edited 21 May, 201412 yr by Gobmax

 

1.2TSI typically returns around 35-38mpg.

The 2.0 diesels return around 40-45mpg.

 

But as I say, you'll probably be paying £1500-£2000 more to buy a diesel, followed by 6-8p per litre more for the black pump and another £50-£100 each service.

 

Does it? The most I have ever paid for a service is £250, and that included the Haldex oil and brake fluid change. Generally my services have been around £150. How much is a petrol service?

 

Maybe not at a Skoda dealer where they offer fixed-priced servicing - but at an independent garage - yes. Consumables for diesel engines are more expensive than for petrol ones. And independent garages offer servicing considerably cheaper than main dealers - and will pass on additional savings to petrol owners due to the lower cost of servicing them.

 

Oh and when the DPF goes into regen on a diesel your MPG gets briefly trashed (I regularly see around 30mpg when it's regen time).

 

Why is it "trashed"? It ups the fueling slightly and rarely for for more than 10 minutes. And most people don't even realise that the regen is occurring.

 

Whether or not anyone "notices" it's occurring, it IS still occurring and it IS still consuming additional fuel whilst in the regen state. And if the OP is only doing low mileage and short journeys, there will be more regen's occurring. Something petrol owners do not need to concern themselves with.

 

The analysts suggest it takes around 45,000 miles before the diesel becomes cheaper. If you're only doing 6000 miles a year that will take you nearly 8 years.

 

I would definitely try the petrol.

 

Llanigraham - I'm not sure why you're getting so much on the offensive. I like you have a diesel - and I think it's great. I personally would not swap for a petrol.

But just because I bought a diesel doesn't mean I cannot recognise when a petrol might be worthy of consideration for someone with very different driving patterns and requirements to myself.

Who's on the offensive? 

You made a couple of comments that from my experience are incorrect and I wondered whether you could substantiate them. Nothing more than that.

Skoda now have fixed price servicing, so if you have it done at a main dealer it costs no different between a petrol or diesel, or for that matter whether you have a Fabia, Yeti or Superb.

Yes but it's cheaper to get the car services at a Skoda specialist, and cheaper still if you have a petrol.