Thursday, 27 May 2010 20:08
Traditionally, Skoda has had nothing to offer the 4x4 fan, bar the odd soft-roader version of the Octavia Estate. But with the arrival of the Yeti in the UK, that has all changed. 
As you’d expect from Skoda, there’s some serious value on offer here, with prices starting from just £13,990. Of course the most basic Yeti is only a two-wheel drive unit with no more offroad capability than your average family hatchback, but if you dig a little deeper, £17,580 will buy you the Yeti S 2.0 TDI CR 4x4, rising to £22,635 for the range-topping 2.0 TDI CR 170 4x4.
Whichever Yeti you choose, it’s unquestionably a good-looking device with an interior that may well amaze you. There’s genuine quality here, with smooth, soft-touch plastics and classy
chrome detailing giving it a really upmarket feel. We can’t fault the driving position either, and rear space is also decent considering the Yeti’s compact dimensions (a full 107mm shorter than a Nissan Qashqai).
Whichever Yeti you choose, it’s unquestionably a good-looking device with an interior that may well amaze you. There’s genuine quality here, with smooth, soft-touch plastics and classy
chrome detailing giving it a really upmarket feel. We can’t fault the driving position either, and rear space is also decent considering the Yeti’s compact dimensions (a full 107mm shorter than a Nissan Qashqai).
Skoda fits the Yeti with a Haldex-clutch 4x4 system familiar to many front-drive-based machines. In normal use, 96 per cent of drive is sent to the front wheels, with sensors monitoring differences in rotation speeds between each axle
– which means up to 90 per cent of torque can be sent rearwards when necessary. This makes the Yeti a genuinely tenacious machine off-road. The Haldex running gear reacts quickly, and that permanent small amount of drive sent to the back wheels means it’s ‘primed’ to juggle power whenever necessary. Those disappointed with early Haldex systems will be far more impressed with how ‘traditional’ this 4x4 feels.
It’s smarter too, thanks to the addition of an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) for the front wheels. This works like a ‘virtual’ front diff lock, ensuring that one front wheel can’t spin away merrily on its own. Again, you’d swear it was mechanicals rather than electronics doing the work. Skoda reckons that, with three wheels on a low-grip surface, 85 per cent of power can be diverted to the one wheel with grip, by juggling the Haldex and EDL systems. And by any standards, that’s an impressive statistic. Some models have this boosted further with a special ‘4x4’ button. Here, further electronic programmes call up ‘softer’ profiles for the ABS, traction control and accelerator, while electronic hill-descent control gives additional reassurance on tricky, steep inclines.
There’s no denying that the Yeti has a huge repertoire of functions, but we were particularly impressed with how the EDL set-up works when wheels are in the air. You really can cover some aggressive terrain in the Skoda, and get levels of wheel lift approaching a regular 4x4, yet still have forward motion. It’s far more competent than you might expect, even if the 19-degree approach angle can’t get near more traditional machines.
It’s even supple and smart handling on the road, with less body roll and sharper responses than a large SUV. Okay, it doesn’t boast the axle articulation or ultimate ability of an all-out off-roader, but the MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension does a pretty good impersonation while still remaining crisp on the road.
Diesel is the primary focus of the Yeti 4x4 range, and our pick of the bunch is the popular 2.0-litre TDI in ‘140’ guise – a common-rail direct-injection unit that’s dramatically smoother and less rattly than most older TDIs.
Trim-wise, the must-have Yeti is the range-topping Elegance. Despite adding £1,950 to the price of the SE, it offers some lavish features, including the offroad ‘4x4’ button. And although you’ll pay a cool £21,825 in TDI 140 guise, the Elegance still offers good value considering the package you’re getting.
SPEC
Price: £21,825
Engine: 1,968cc four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel
Max power: 140bhp
Max torque: 236lb.ft. @ 1,750-2,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drive: Part-time electronic 4WD (with diff lock and hill-descent control)
Economy: 37.7mpg (combined)
CO2 rating: 159g/km
Max braked towing weight: 2,000kg
Engine: 1,968cc four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel
Max power: 140bhp
Max torque: 236lb.ft. @ 1,750-2,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drive: Part-time electronic 4WD (with diff lock and hill-descent control)
Economy: 37.7mpg (combined)
CO2 rating: 159g/km
Max braked towing weight: 2,000kg
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