| First Drive | Oxfordshire, England | Skoda Yeti Greenline II |

Skoda has updated its eco-friendly Greenline range (now known as Greenline II) for even lower emissions and better fuel economy across the board. The Yeti crossover is just one of the models to benefit.

In the Metal

Aside from some Greenline badges on the exterior and a 20mm lower ride height, there isn't much to distinguish this model from the standard Yeti. There are also smaller, lighter alloy wheels and low rolling resistance tyres, but that's about it. Check out our review of the standard Yeti for our take on its looks and cabin without the Greenline tweaks.

What you get for your Money

The Skoda Yeti has been consistently praised for its excellent packaging and all-round good value. The company knows that such virtues are its biggest selling points, so the Yeti Greenline II is equally well priced. It starts at £16,865 in basic S trim and tops out at £20,185 for the flagship Elegance version.

Equipment levels tally up with those of the standard Skoda Yeti, but obviously this version includes a full complement of eco-friendly mod cons. In addition to the aforementioned eco features, expect a full suite of driving aids, a stop-start system, an energy recovery system and a gear shift indicator.

Driving it

Again, we'd refer you to our road test of the standard Yeti for the full lowdown on how the car drives. The Greenline II model may have been slightly modified for economy purposes, but the reality is that it's pretty much the same as the standard car on the road - and that's not a bad thing.

The VW Group's familiar 1.6-litre TDI engine provides the power, with 104bhp and 184lb.ft of torque. You might expect the Yeti to be a little tardy with a modest powertrain like this, but it's actually quite punchy when you want it to be. Don't expect much in the way of instantaneous acceleration, but it's capable enough on the move.

The only slight difference that we noted was a smidgen less grip from the low rolling resistance tyres. They ride on higher pressures and are designed to cut down on road friction, so it is possible to notice a little less grip during hard cornering. That can be said of any car fitted with similar rubber, though, and you have to be pushing it to reveal the differences. Equally, the five-speed manual transmission has tall gearing - again, in the name of economy - which means adapting your driving style if you're used to more conventional cogs.

Worth Noting

The figures say it all for the Yeti Greenline II. Not only is it very affordable, but, according to Skoda, it will also return 61.4mpg on average and emit 119g/km of CO₂. In the long run, expect to pay only £30 a year for road tax. Don't forget about the super practical Varioflex rear seating system, either.

Summary

In basic S spec, the Skoda Yeti Greenline II costs only £280 more than an equivalent 2.0 TDI CR version. That's a negotiable sum at a dealership and there's little between the two cars performance wise, so it seems silly not to go for the former with the lower running costs in mind.

The Yeti has been nothing but successful for Skoda and this new model can only bolster what is already a top all-round car. It's also good to see a manufacturer develop an eco sub brand and not charge buyers the earth for the privilege.