But a good update I guess. Though I hope the 184 DSG TDI does come to fruition. Even though that is not even available anywhere else in the world (yet).

.........

That's available in the new model Superb isn't it?

 

Yup it sure is. That with a few choice options (OK nearly all of them! I like my treats.) makes the 184 DSG Octy Scout a snip at £35,000...  hahahahahaha  So alas not in my budget any day soon.

Yup it sure is. That with a few choice options (OK nearly all of them! I like my treats.) makes the 184 DSG Octy Scout a snip at £35,000...  hahahahahaha  So alas not in my budget any day soon.

I'm thinking it would be available in the stretched Yeti.

Further to my earlier posts on this subject.  I have bitten the bullet after being offered a deal on a CRV that I couldn't turn down.

 

The Yeti configurator is still not available and all the informed opinion from a dealer contact is that the 1.4 petrol will only be available in the L&K version for the time being.  As I've mentioned before, brown leather seats and the sun roof are show stoppers for me.

 

Anyway, I've sourced an end of the line 2014 CRV Special Edition in black with a tow bar included in the price.  Cost before the deal was £31k and I got it for £16k with the Yeti part exchanged.

 

Cons;

 

1. Registered to Honda UK already in March 15 but has only 8 miles delivery mileage and in 5 or 6 years time will be irrelevant.

 

2. Not particularly fast, more leisurely, at 0-60 in 12 or so seconds.

 

3. Nothing special on petrol consumption, circa 38 MPG but this is of no interest to me in light of my low mileage.

 

4.  Various bits of bling which I definitely wouldn't have chosen but can live with, e.g. a decorative spoiler over the rear window, chrome exhaust embellisher, fancy all singing, all dancing infotainment system with sat nav,, reversing camera, etc.

 

5  19 inch wheels, so we know what that can mean but I'll get a set of 17 inch steel wheels with cold weather tyres for 6 months of the year (thought carefully about the 19 inch wheels and actually drove a second hand one with them and it wasn't too bad at all).

 

Pros (which decided it for me)

 

1.  Automatic with a conventional box (I know, I know, increases petrol consumption, saps power, etc. etc. but the truth is I just don't like the characteristics of the DSG boxes and I wanted an automatic).

 

2. Petrol - had enough of worrying about short journeys which most of my driving is, plus potential issues with DPFs, EGRs etc.

 

3.

Don't know what happened there but I hit the wrong button and posted it before finishing, anyway to continue:

 

4   Wheel drive.

 

5.  Large boot which is absolutely cavernous with the back seats folded.

 

6.  Honda's reliability record, particularly for this car.

 

Well there you have it.  I probably would have had another Yeti if I could have got one with petrol and 4 wheel drive because I really liked it - it really is a very good vehicle. 

Don't know what happened there but I hit the wrong button and posted it before finishing, anyway to continue:

 

4   Wheel drive.

 

5.  Large boot which is absolutely cavernous with the back seats folded.

 

6.  Honda's reliability record, particularly for this car.

 

Well there you have it.  I probably would have had another Yeti if I could have got one with petrol and 4 wheel drive because I really liked it - it really is a very good vehicle. 

 

Did you think of waiting to see the new 2015 Honda FR-V? Due for August and initial reviews look positive. About same size as Yeti and is reported to be more price comparative than the larger CR-V. The smallish crossover field is getting ever more crowded and competitive and I suspect that the Yeti Mk1, good as it is, risks getting steamrolled by newer models. Skoda might have to rethink their pricing/model philosophy if they wish to retain the Yeti sales volume.

In a nutshell, no, I wasn't aware of it. However I wouldn't go for any car in its 1st year of production, plus the exceptionally sized load space with the seats down, the very well proven reliability of the CRV and the deal I was offered really meant the decision was almost made for me.

What about the HRV?

Too small?

I have to have a chuckle at this, I must live in a very sheltered place, I've never heard of any of these vehicles, mind you I have considered HRT!

What about the HRV?

Too small?

 

 

It's obviously the HRV that Expatman is talking about. He just typed   F instead of H by mistake.

It's obviously the HRV that Expatman is talking about. He just typed   F instead of H by mistake.

I don't think that is the case. I've looked both of them up and they both do exist, however as has been suggested they are both smaller than the CRV, so not contenders for me.

The HRV (due to be released later this year) is 4294mm long.  The FRV (discontinued in '09) 4285 mm long.  Yup, both shorther than a CRV (but both similar to a Yeti at 4233mm).  I'd still be surprised if Expatman wasn't thinking of the forthcoming HRV though despite your thoughts..  I'm sure the mystery will be solved in time :-)

The HRV is another one of these 'fashionable' curvy crossovers, compromising internal space. I've little time for this form over function trend. Also, the UK is only getting 2WD versions.

Well the decisions made for the next 4 or 5 years or so but who knows what's on the Yeti horizon in that time. As I said earlier, if eventually they do a non-L&K petrol 4x4, particularly if it was a bit bigger, I would be back like shot.

It's obviously the HRV that Expatman is talking about. He just typed   F instead of H by mistake.

I typed AND meant HRV, which is what appears, for me at least.

Is this an iPad fault of some sort?

Never heard of an FRV, certainly not here.

HRV is a contender if you don't mind a bit of tizz.

I don't think that is the case. I've looked both of them up and they both do exist, however as has been suggested they are both smaller than the CRV, so not contenders for me.

Whoops, sorry I meant HR-V. Brief reviews on AutoExpress and What Car. About same size as Yeti  but Honda Jazz based with new 1.5 litre petrol engine, I guess the cruncher will be what performance Honda can elicit from the (probably) normally aspirated engine. Honda seem to be going against the trend of turbocharged small capacity petrol engines by sticking with non turbo larger capacity petrol engines. Performance of their existing 1.4 litre petrol is dire - tried it in the Jazz and it was like stirring treacle to get any pep from it. point I was making was that every manufacturer seems to be releasing new small crossovers and Yeti will be "old" in many buyers mind by the time Skoda update it.

Small turbo Hondas are on the way.

Put a 1.2 turbo from the 308 in it and it would be a winner.

That's the future and the death knell for urban diesels also.

Small turbo Hondas are on the way.

Put a 1.2 turbo from the 308 in it and it would be a winner.

That's the future and the death knell for urban diesels also.

Agree - Honda usually take some time to 'get with it' but when they do their engines etc are generally excellent and reliable. But I am not sure the new 1.5 is a turbo?

Agree - Honda usually take some time to 'get with it' but when they do their engines etc are generally excellent and reliable. But I am not sure the new 1.5 is a turbo?

The Asian manufacturers tend to give economy more of an emphasis for the European market, so if there is a 1.5 turbo, I'd expect it to go to the U.S. and Australia in their 'compact' vehicles and you'd likely get a 1.2.

The Asian manufacturers tend to give economy more of an emphasis for the European market, so if there is a 1.5 turbo, I'd expect it to go to the U.S. and Australia in their 'compact' vehicles and you'd likely get a 1.2.

That is if they make a turbo at all! So far Honda seem to be wedded to non turbo engines. In the USA, where the HRV is already on sale, the engine is a 1.8 litre normally aspirated unit. No sign of a turbo I can find. 

That is if they make a turbo at all! So far Honda seem to be wedded to non turbo engines. In the USA, where the HRV is already on sale, the engine is a 1.8 litre normally aspirated unit. No sign of a turbo I can find.

If your interested in what Pacific rim countries get from Asian makers GoAuto News is worth a free subscription.

We have the 1.8 HRV.

Honda's engine division has been asleep for a long time but they are working as fast as pos to bring their small, more fuel efficient, turbos to market.

I'm guessing the HRV update for us will have the turbo versions.

They have an enviable reputation for NA engines and were loath to go turbo I'm thinking but emissions are driving this imperative.

One thing is certain, this forum is miles ahead of the Honda one I've been looking at. It seems to be 95% U.S. oriented and there is more useful info on Honda generally in this thread than the whole of the Euro section (there is no dedicated UK section).

This forum appears far more active with significantly more useful posts from interesting (and interested), helpful, members. Could be just the sort of personality certain car marques attract.

Another good reason I suppose to stay with Skoda (Yeti).

It's worth keeping an eye on the Australian market because we have an enormous choice for a mere 23million and get Asian vehicles manufactured in Korea, Japan and Thailand (due to an FTA).

The green field sites in Thailand manufacture many Japanese vehicles due to the FTA.

Our Civic hatch comes from the UK but the sedan from Thailand frinstance.

Yes, thanks Ryman.

Very unusually these days, the CRV is actually made (or maybe more accurately, assembled) in Swindon in the UK.

Yes, thanks Ryman.

Very unusually these days, the CRV is actually made (or maybe more accurately, assembled) in Swindon in the UK.

It's all about FTAs and comparative wages for us.

Our(?) auto industry is being rationalised out of existence come 2017.

Cars are white goods now - comparatively dirt cheap and massive depreciation.

...comparatively dirt cheap and massive depreciation.

An argument for buying a good one - well speced Yeti - and keep it for a long time 8+ years.