My concern over the 1.2 is that she test drove both that and the 1.4 when she bought the current Yeti and preferred the 1.4.

 

 

I suspect that when you test drive two cars like this the lower powered one is always going to seem a bit underpowered in the comparison. For what its worth I went from a 2 litre diesel to my Elegance with the 1.2 litre petrol engine.  It really hasn't been a problem and in fact the Yeti is overall a much more enjoyable drive. In fairness a lot of my 8,000-9,000 miles a year is pretty leisurely, a good part of it with four adults in the car. I'll grant you it's not "slam you back in your seat" acceleration but it trundles along at motorway speeds happily, I've not had a problem with overtaking when it's been necessary and I've not come across a hill it hasn't comfortably coped with (even in the West County with four adults and all their luggage, including a roof box). Before I ordered mine I did wonder about whether to go for the 1.4 engine for the extra power (road tax, insurance etc,) but can honestly say I have no regrets. And its been 100% reliable, which for long-term ownership is something to consider - generally the more bits there are, the more bits to go wrong and the more scope for the mechanic to suck air through his teeth, the way they do.. 

 

You don't say how much time she is in the car on her own and how much time driving with the car fully laden and that might be what sways it one way or the other for her. If most of the time she is on her own I think a decent test drive in a 1.2 on her own or just with the salesman (depending on how trusting the dealer is )would be a sensible next step. If most of the time the car's well laden then try and do a test drive with four in the car and a few hills. Whichever you do if she isn't happy then really the decision is made. But probably best not to test drive the 1.8 before the 1.2, unless that's really what you want her to have (I assume you will get to play in it?).

I have the other extreme - a 2.0 CR170.

I have driven the 1.2. It never struck me as underpowered.

That said I still say heated screen retrofit is the obvious solution.

That said I still say heated screen retrofit is the obvious solution.

 

Its top of the list at the moment.

I thought this would be worth an update.

 

It seems the car she wants, and is happy to pay for, is the 1.8 TSI L&K but in "proper" red with black leather. As any shade of brown is intolerable so she'll be keeping her 1.4. 

 

I can't believe that Skoda aren't losing sales with their quirky colour choices.

Keep in mind the next Peugeot 3008 with their Pure-Tech 1.2 as a potential competitor if it's not out already.

Keep in mind the next Peugeot 3008 with their Pure-Tech 1.2 as a potential competitor if it's not out already.

If its anything like my new pug expert van stay clear of that, it's been in 9 times for the same problem and after changing everything on the charging system including the battery it's still not fixed, constantly charging at 15.1v and cooking the battery  . plus rattles and other noises, they can stop them ether, I have turned the radio up to hide the noise, and drive with the headlights on to use some excess volts up . they may have the answer on hows to fix it within the 3 year warranty hopefully.   

Peugeot have reinvented the petrol engine recently and have started hiring production line worker for the first time in a v long time......

It's make-or-break time.

Trickle down will put vans last I'm thinking.