| Long Term Test | Skoda Yeti 4x4 |
Been anywhere interesting?
If you followed our time with the
MINI JCW you'll know that our declarations of fondness for its mercurial nature were always followed by a caveat. Those caveats most often had their base in issues of practicality. Well, it's time for a change, and it will shortly arrive in the form of... a Skoda Yeti.
We're pleased about this. Like the Clubman, the Yeti's styling is knowingly eccentric and its dimensions quite Postman Pat. But the similarities end there.
So we toddled off to a Newcastle Skoda dealer to ask who the typical Yeti buyer is. On that basis we'd spec our test car.
Anything stand out...?
We'd expected that the majority of Yetis sold would be powered by smaller diesel engines, furnished in middle SE specification and probably front-wheel drive (who among us really needs four-wheel drive?).
Statistically that may prove the case, but according to our friendly Skoda Sales Manager, he's selling more top-spec 4x4 Elegance cars. The Yeti, it seems, is a favourite among an ever-swelling set of family 4x4 drivers looking to downsize; these eccentric hipsters want to reduce their costs and carbon footprints, but without letting go of the kudos of conspicuous 4x4 ownership. There's also, of course, the terrifying prospect of more Christmas snow carnage.
...and for the wrong reasons?
So people are spending good money on their Yetis. We'll take a 4x4 in top whack Elegance spec with the 2.0-litre TDI 170 engine, then. Of course, there's room for cynicism here - why wouldn't a salesman lead us towards a top-spec, high priced car? However, we weren't on a secret shopper mission; the dealer knew he wasn't getting a sale from us.
But at £22,640 minus options this is one pricey Czech. For that reason, we decided not to be too silly with the options list. So, the amazing self-parking feature and satellite navigation miss the cut. Front and rear parking sensors (£270) are useful though, as is a tyre pressure monitor (£90), floor mats (£45) and a spare wheel (£55). Polished 17-inch alloys (an extra £85) and an upgraded stereo (£360) complete our long-term test car. Well, apart from some silver coloured mirror caps (£26) that we thought looked good in the brochure.
And all finished in Storm Blue metallic paint (£410)
Where next?
Everywhere and anywhere. We already know how fabulous a first impression the Yeti makes, but we'd really like to know whether it is really that clever during the day-to-day stuff; the Yeti will have to be very good indeed if it's to justify that sort of outlay. And for once, we're hoping for snow. Loads of thick white snow, ripe for our Yeti to conquer...
