One of the coolest cars this year is the Skoda Yeti. It has that design factor that looks cool, has finesse and still holds enough class to pull it off. That is why if you buy a Skoda Yeti you are going to look a little refreshing in the line up of cars heading off to the ski field or up the main street to work. I like it, and I think I’m not going to be the only one, either.

Brand new from the ground up, the Skoda Yeti is a competent small SUV-type vehicle. When the going gets tough the Skoda Yeti knuckles down and gets on with it. Thanks to a cleverly designed four-wheel-drive system the Skoda Yeti 103TDI is provided by an ingenious system that uses a fourth generation Haldex inter-axle clutch that enables the car to run economically in 2WD when the going is easy, but will switch into 4WD for excellent traction as the vehicle has need. The multi-link axle with a wider wheel track gives the car greater stability when driving on rough terrain. On-road, the Skoda Yeti has great feel and a nice direct ride, thus providing some top-class handling characteristics on the road. If you love the Yeti design, and do not need AWD, then the Skoda Yeti 77TSI is the one for you. This model is FWD.

The best way to describe the new Skoda Yeti 103TDI is, perhaps, that the car is likened to a baby 4X4. An upright posture, a somewhat boxy cabin, plenty of room and AWD capability equals practicality and cross-over potential. This is a great car for running around town during the week and then going with the family on an adventure in the weekend. The Skoda Yeti 77TSI has the same good looks, but is made for life on the tarmac.

The Skoda Yeti has handy room because the overall shape is 4.22 metres long, almost 1.8 metres wide and a tall 1.7 metres in height. There is well over a metre of room in the front and rear, so that even the tallest people will find the headroom top notch. Comfortable seats are finished in a wide variety of quality materials – depending on your taste. Leather is the option for complete luxury, however the cloth is smart and will be preference of many.

Along with excellent space for passengers, the higher position of the seats creates a feeling of safety – with an excellent view for all occupants to what’s going on outside. Comfortable seats that provide an adjustable back rest eliminate tiredness on long trips and make the journey a relaxing one.

Skoda provide both Yeti models with a great level of technological features for entertainment, luxury and fun. Optional extras add things like satellite navigation, a panoramic sunroof, an alarm system, rear parking sensors, a mobile device interface (MDI) for hands free communications and plenty of other goodies as well. Note here, that things like air-conditioning, a fabulous audio system, electric windows, reading lights, and the like, are all considered as premium standard features that just need to be made available as standard items. This should give you an indication of how well equipped you’ll find both Skoda Yetis. The Skoda Yeti 103TDI has a few extra things as standard, like the cooled storage box, vanity mirrors and dual-zone climate control.

Plenty of storage space is helped by the VarioFlex system which separates the three rear seats to maximise the variability in interior and luggage space. This is a great feature and is one that becomes a very useful feature, overtime. There are some things that you come to really appreciate in cars, and its not always how quick the car is or how well equipped the car is. Sometimes it is the little things done well that give the car a long lasting feeling of satisfaction to the car’s owner. Skoda has provided the Yeti with plenty of handy features to make life pleasant.

Stylish is a word you could use for the Skoda Yeti’s interior design. The new dashboard has a fresh, practical appearance with plenty of storage space. Premium materials are used, and you can choose from 16 various colour combinations for the dashboard, upholstery and trimmings. An optional electrically controlled two-part panoramic sunroof and crossways roof rack can be a part of your unique Skoda Yeti appearance. These are great features and all the people onboard will appreciate the wide open sunroof from time to time.

Safety is well and truly covered in the Skoda Yeti. All of the best features are onboard. A five-star, Euro NCAP crash test result ensures that you are buying well. Optional active bi-xenon headlights, front fog-lights, ABS, EBD, EDL, ASR and Hill Hold Control provide premium active safety. On the passive safety front, Skoda’s solid design of the Yeti’s SUV body, robust doorsills and columns, special mounting for the engine and pedals, and up to seven airbags as standard – (including driver’s knee airbag, two front, two side and two curtain airbags), are at the ready to protect the space for the driver and passengers in the event of a major crash. When the airbags are activated, the fuel pump also switches off, as do the fuel supply and certain electrical circuits. This all helps to prevent fire.

Both the Skoda Yeti 77TSI and 103TDI are perky enough to drive. Both engines are class-leading in their economy, refined and willing. Boasting a fantastic 320 Nm from a low 1750 rpm makes the 103TDI, turbo-diesel the model of choice if you are going to spend most of your time in a Yeti loaded up with gear and occupants. Definitely go for the 1.2-litre petrol (77TSI) variant if most of your time is spent around town and between suburbs.

It’s great to be able to write up a vehicle that I know deserves the big tick.

The current model series includes the:

• Yeti 77TSI
• Yeti 103TDI

For any more information on the Skoda Yeti, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Skoda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

Back to Skoda Car Reviews