Arrived: Sep 2010 List price (including options): £23,545 Average economy: 43mpg
The Skoda Yeti 4x4 has been -
A tad of car swapping has gone on here: Mark is enjoying some wheel-time in the SEAT Leon Ecomotive whilst I am now running around in the Yeti.
Last month we met at a service stop on the M11 while Mark was making an overnight dash from France to Newcastle, passing by Stansted at 2.30am. I was there ready for the swap and aiming to get a couple of pics of the two cars together... best laid plans and all that: rushing out the door and being half asleep I managed to leave the bag of flashes neatly packed in my hall way. Oops.
Moving quickly on then - the Yeti. I've seen them on the road, read a few reports and spoken to people who have them; everybody rates and loves this car. After being behind the wheel now for a few weeks I too am firmly in the supporters' camp. For a snapper this car has to be very close to perfect.
Job wise the Yeti has headed south and hooked up with Kyle and the McLaren MP4-12C, covered Goodwood, spent time in various long-stay car parks at the country's airports and finally enjoyed a few days in company with the latest Merc C 63 AMG.
We're loving the -
Several things stand out for me. Firstly, in my opinion, this is a good looking car, sitting on 18-inch rims and winter tyres this 4x4 seems to go everywhere I've so far asked it to. The ride is comfortable and supportive. The finish and level of interior equipment is good and importantly there are no rattles or squeaks. Storage is good and the boot, with the seats still in position, takes all my photography gear and keeps it from prying eyes.
Performance for me is good; the steering is precise and thus makes the Yeti a fun drive. Motorway cruising is a doddle too. I haven't really noticed any major wind buffeting and road noise, even with the winter rubber still fitted, is acceptable. Admittedly I have the sounds from my iPhone blasting most of the time. Economy is also better than I expected: around town and on short hops I'm getting a solid 40-42mpg and extended runs of motorway cruising are seeing a respectable 46mpg.
I wouldn't say the Yeti does anything brilliantly but it does do everything very well indeed and as an all-rounder it is really hard to fault in anyway. I love it and am sad that I'll only have a short time with the car.
But not so impressed by -
This will be a short paragraph! The quality of the exterior plastic trim is a little poor; this is a 60-plate car and the plastics look terribly discoloured already, which spoils the overall appearance; I have tried to rejuvenate them but to no avail - something that I wouldn't be happy with if I owned the Yeti. Other than that, a couple of friends have commented on its bug-eyed looks of the light set up, personally I just think this is part of the Yeti's character.
Finally, it took a little while connecting to my iPhone via Bluetooth: having to be stationary was a pain though only a minor one and once done it actually works very well and once again I love the ability to Bluetooth my iPod with the stereo.
We're looking forward to -
Sadly the Yeti returns to Skoda in mid-August; were it to offer me another one I'd bite someone's hand off. Prior to its departure I will take it up to Snowdonia for a small job and then a touch of downtime climbing and mountain biking. Hopefully I'll be able to get to some remote spots that I'm sure in turn will provide some nice pics.
