2012 Skoda Yeti Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Skoda Yeti as a used buy.

Remember that short, kind of stocky looking kid everyone underestimated in gym class? Well he’s grown up and created a vehicle that will leave comparative, image-conscious SUVs in the nurse’s office.While the Abominable Snowman may have trouble fitting into this compact SUV, Skoda’s Yeti offers human families the opportunity to pursue a little adventure. Strength and tight handling on road, stability off, and a sturdy body - the Yeti brings a neat bundle to Skoda.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe automatic, 1.8-litre Yeti 112TSI 4x4 is priced at $35,290. It comes with 17-in alloy wheels (16 inch steel spare), eight-speaker stereo, ABS, ESC, ASR, EBD, Hill Hold Control, 12-volt sockets, Bluetooth, cruise control, trip computer, dual-zone climate control, pollen filter, auxiliary input socket, and a multi-function leather steering wheel.TECHNOLOGYThe six-speed DSG Yeti prowls with 112kW/250Nm, going from 0-100km in 9.0 seconds. 8.2L/100km is the official fuel combined, but we found 11L/100km on our mostly urban and off road test. The DSG slides through quick and smooth gear changes as the Yeti seeks new territory with confidence...as long as there isn’t a log or large ditch in the way, but we’ll get to that later.DESIGNExternally the boxy Yeti isn’t as well groomed as sleeker compact SUVs, but the Yeti isn’t one to worry about looks when the open road is calling. Internally the cabin is quiet and airy (except for an extremely high pitched noise on our test vehicle).The dash display looks slick, and the leather steering wheel adds a nice, high quality, touch. While the radio display screen gives plenty of programming options, it isn’t easy to navigate while driving, and the fan controls would work better as a dial than the easy to miss buttons.Drink holders are only able to hold small cups, leaving any long distance traveller with a serious lack of caffeine. Seats in back are a bit rigid and narrow for three adults to sit comfortably on a long trip, but kids will have no trouble. The middle seat flips down, providing two more insanely small cup holders, and vents in back will keep all types of creatures cool.The boot is small for an SUV, but storage compartments beside the spare wheel (which isn’t full size), sliding hooks for groceries, and the VarioFlex ability to separately fold down and remove each back seat, gives plenty of storage options, assuming you’re not carrying five people.SAFETYA five-star rating, seven airbags, height-adjustable front headrests with WOKS, ESC, ABS, EBD, and ASR, make the Yeti one safe little monster.DRIVINGThe Yeti can tackle moderate off road terrain. The frame sits tight over bumps and there’s no trouble stopping quickly on loose gravel and sand. The limitation comes with the vehicle’s clearance. With a low frame this 4x4 has difficulty with obstacles and scourged tracks. While the underbody protection can shelter a few dings, it won’t take much to bottom out, leaving the Yeti willing, but not able, to follow the pack. An optional off road technology pack brings a few more tricks for adventurous travellers, but the clearance will still limit you.Obstacles aside, responsive handling, very little body roll (especially considering the high interior), smooth DSG, and a fair dose of zip makes the Yeti a fun on road vehicle, with the ability to get a little dirty off road. VERDICTWrangle this beast and the Yeti becomes a solid, compact SUV for the family or moderate adventurer. 

About the only thing we didn't fancy about this car on first encounter was its lack of bluetooth.It should be standard on all cars these days because talking and texting on a mobile phone has been shown to be hazardous to your health, not to mention your licence. Skoda must have been listening because shortly after taking delivery of our test vehicle it decided to make Bluetooth standard across the range.DESIGNThe Yeti is Skoda's odd yet somehow very appealing compact SUV, combining the strengths of an off roader with the practicality and running costs of a hatch. Yeti sits on the same platform as VW's Tiguan which in turn is an off road version of the Golf. Our test vehicle is priced from $37,990.ENGINEYeti comes with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Our test car is the 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque from a low 1750 revs. It's hooked up to the 6-speed version of VW's acclaimed DSG double clutch transmission that functions the same as an auto. The diesel is tried and true, but tends to sound like a truck at idle which can be off-putting.4X4During normal operation 96 per cent of the engine's torque is delivered to the front wheels. If the sensors detect a difference in speed between the front and rear axles, the system diverts up to 90 per cent of torque to the rear wheels. Thanks to a limited slip rear diff, drive is also distributed evenly from side to side. The diesel model also scores under body protection for offroading.VARIOFLEXVario what? The rear passenger compartment features Skoda's innovative VarioFlex seating system. It allows the seats to be positioned in many different ways, folded up or removed completely. What's more, the rear seat is 20mm higher for a better view.FUEL CONSUMPTIONThe diesel is good for 6.2 litres/100km and with a 60-litre tank that gives it a theoretical range of 967km. In practice we've been getting between 6.6 and 6.7 litres/100km, with a best of 710km from a single tank (but we haven't tried to run it dry yet).SAFETYYeti scores a maximum five stars for safety, with a total of seven airbags including a driver's kneebag to protect the lower legs from contact with the dash in an accident.OTHER GOODIESCruise is standard along with a full size spare wheel, height and reach adjustable steering wheel with audio controls and an 8-speaker audio system. The diesel adds dual air, auto lights and wipers, 17 inch alloys, fog lights and a height-adjustable driver and passenger seat with lumbar support.WE LIKEIt's cute looks and compact dimensions, along with the promise of diesel economy and the added safety of all wheel drive (not to mention the fact it doesn't mind getting its toes dirty).WE DON'T LIKEAll good so far, except for over the shoulder vision is hanmped by the large B pillar that sits directly behind the driver when looking to merge right.Skoda Yeti 103TDIPrice: From $35,690Warranty: 3 year roadsideSafety rating: (est). Five starEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl diesel / 2.0-litre 4-cyl sports automatic 103kW/320NmTransmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic dual clutch; 4x4 constantBody: 4223mm (L); 1793mm (W); 1691mm (H)Weight: 1615kg / 1640kgThirst: 6.2/100km 162g/km CO2 / 6.7/100km 174g/km CO2

If Inspector Gadget was real and drove a car, it would be a Yeti. This is a versatile, Swiss Army knife kind of vehicle that wins on its Tardis dimensions, fun yet frugal manners and no-brainer simplicity.It's no surprise given this Czech-built car is a product of a nation that is so pragmatic it named its capital city after the word. Only 316 Yetis sold in the first four months of this year. Jeep sold 1052 Compass in the same period. I can't work that out.VALUEEuropean cars aren't horrifically expensive to buy or service and Skoda's Yeti proves that with prices matching the Japanese and Koreans. This front-wheel drive version with the baby 1.2-litre engine and dual-clutch auto gearbox is $28,590 - on par with rivals.But it's big on clever features - masses of storage areas, cool boxes for your drinks, hooks for your shopping bag, cruise control, trip computer and comprehensive safety gear. But extras cost - rear park sensors are dear at $640 (but every SUV should have them as standard) and the signature colour-contrast roof is $390.DESIGNImagine a tissue box with a nose. And wheels. Yeti takes the simplicity of a box and builds the car inside out, punching out the corners from within to maximise passenger and cargo room. The 1665-litre boot capacity (rear seats down) is amazing.It also takes cues from the quirky Roomster model - which returns in June - to achieve some distinction. The black, soft-feel dashboard is all Volkswagen but the triple bucket rear seats are Skoda-born and allow the Yeti to perform its amazing cargo swallowing act.The boxed tail makes parking backwards easy but the slanted bonnet and protruding grille mean its guesswork at the front.TECHNOLOGYThe tiny 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre petrol engine gets help from a turbocharger to claim beaut economy and, under most conditions, lively performance. Skoda uses some pieces from other Volkswagen Group cars - more so the Polo - to make the Yeti and that's good for owners from a parts and repair angle.However, aside from the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the little beating heart under the bonnet, it's a simple device. The bits used are, however, from the top shelf. Brakes, for example, are four-wheel discs while some rivals fit rear drums.SAFETYNo surprises here as Yeti gets a five-star crash rating, has seven airbags, comes with a full suite of electronic brake and chassis aids - including a hill holder - but only has an ``adult-size'' temporary spare wheel. The side mirrors are heated (perfect timing for winter) and there's even tie-downs in the boot floor to restrain loads. As said, it would be better with park sensors.DRIVINGI've buttered you up, haven't I? Well now I'm going to drop you on the floor - where you will stick butter-side down - because all the great things about the Yeti come a little bit unstuck when the right foot is extended. The engine is small and so performance will naturally suffer.The DSG box is generally ultra responsive but occasionally gets brain-fade between cogs, usually when you're coasting and want to quickly accelerate. Though the engine's 77kW is fine when there's just you aboard, or perhaps one passenger, it struggles when asked to haul more.Given that this is a family car that's liable to be loaded, it may need patience and/or hard work for the driver to keep it on the boil. That undoubtedly will affect its miserly average of 7.0 L/100km fuel - albeit 95RON - economy.Regardless, the baby Yeti is a lot of fun. It's only front-wheel drive but holds the road like a limpet, steers accurately and even when pushed hard, the engine is pleasantly muted.The tyres can rumble on coarse bitumen and ride comfort tends to firm - though the seats are soft - but it's still better than many small passenger cars.VERDICTAppearances can deceive - this is one sensible, practical and enjoyable car for a lot of seasons.

The more I see of the Skoda Yeti the more I like it. In many ways it feels like the original Subaru Forester, before it morphed into just another compact SUV. It is likely to appeal to the same kind of people too.Prices start at $32,990 for the manual and $35,290 for the auto version of what is basically a small offroader from VW's bargain brand -- but more of a jacked up wagon than the current crop on the market. Until now you have been able to get a front drive petrol or diesel all-wheel drive, but not petrol all wheel drive Yeti. The 112TSI with its 1.8-litre turbcharged petrol engine changes that and it's a beaut, especially the sporty manual.MECHANICALThe 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers varying amounts of power depending on the transmission attached. With the manual its 118kW at 5000 revs and with the auto 112kW at 6000 revs.Torque remains constant at 250Nm from 1500 revs. Although it is turbocharged, we like the fact it has a larger capacity than seems to be the current norm which conceivably means it is not under as much stress.You get a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG manumatic style transmissions. The Octavia however with the same engine gets the seven-speed engine. It's got something to do with the car being developed originally for the Russian market (say what?)The manual is slick and can be worked hard to deliver a sporty driving experience. While not as spirited the DSG also performs flawlessly. Fuel consumption is 8.2L/100km for the DSG and 8.4 litres/100km for the manual. We got 11.1 and 10.8 respectively on the test drive, but we weren't exactly holding back.ON THE ROAD Let's face it, not many people are going to take this car off road. Sand and dirt roads are probably the limit, so the front drive version is worth consideration. Having said that the 112TSI comes spec'ed to the same level as the diesel, but costs $2500 less.It's easy to get in and out of. Comfortable and easy to drive, with plenty of zip and a reasonable amount of luggage space. Rear seats are raised for a better view. The variable layout features three separate rear seats with adjustable backrests. The outer seats slide backwards and forwards. With the middle seat removed, the outer seats can be moved towards the centre.Or the seats can be folded and removed completely. Bluetooth is standard along with a trip computer, auto lights and wipers, roof rails and 17 inch alloys. Nice to see a full size spare is standard. And that it gets a full five out five stars for safety with seven airbags, stability control and a host of safety systems.VERDICTGreat little car that should do very well for Skoda. Maybe it's the one that will finally put the company on the map in Australia (we think so).

The more I see of the Skoda Yeti the more I like it. In many ways it feels like the original Subaru Forester, before it morphed into just another compact SUV. It is likely to appeal to the same kind of people too. The small Yeti off roader from Skoda is more of a jacked-up wagon than the current crop of compact SUVs.VALUEPrices start at $32,990 for the manual and $35,290 for the auto.TECHNOLOGYUntil now you have been able to get a front drive petrol or diesel all-wheel drive, but not petrol all wheel drive Yeti. The 112TSI with its 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine changes that and it's a beaut, especially the sporty manual. The 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers varying amounts of power depending on the transmission attached. With the manual its 118kW at 5000 revs and with the auto 112kW at 6000 revs.Torque remains constant at 250Nm from 1500 revs. Although it is turbocharged, we like the fact it has a larger capacity than seems to be the current norm which conceivably means it is not under as much stress.You get a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG manumatic style transmissions. The Octavia however with the same engine gets the seven-speed engine. It's got something to do with the car being developed originally for the Russian market (say what?)ECONOMY8.2 for the DSG and 8.4 litres/100km for the manual. We got 11.1 and 10.8 respectively on the launch, but we weren't exactly holding back.SEATINGRear seats are raised for a better view. The variable layout features three separate rear seats with adjustable backrests. The outer seats slide backwards and forwards. With the middle seat removed, the outer seats can be moved towards the centre. Or the seats can be folded and removed completely.SAFETYA full five out five stars for safety with seven airbags, stability control and a host of safety systems.DRIVINGLet's face it, not many people are going to take this car off road.  Sand and dirt roads are probably the limit, so the front drive version is worth consideration. Having said that the 112TSI comes specc'ed to the same level as the diesel, but costs $2500 less. The manual is slick and can be worked hard to deliver a sporty driving experience. While not as spirited the DSG also performs flawlessly. Easy to get in and out of. Comfortable and easy to drive, with plenty of zip and a reasonable amount of luggage space.Bluetooth is standard along with a trip computer, auto lights and wipers, roof rails and 16-inch alloys. Nice to see a full size spare is standard.VERDICTGreat little car that should do very well for Skoda. Maybe it's the one that will finally put the company on the map in Australia (we think so).Skoda Yeti 112TSIPrice: from $32,990 (manual); $35,290 (auto)Engine: 4 Cylinder, 1.8 LitreThirst: 8.4L/100km man; 8.2L/100km DSGTransmission: Manual 6 speed; 6-speed DSGOutputs: 118KW/250NmCO2: 197g/km manual; 194g/km DSGWarranty: 3 yearsBody: 5-door SUVDimensions: (L) 4223mm, (W) 1793mm, (H) 1691mm, (WB) 2578Tyres: 16inch  Alloy 215/60 R16

Most telling is VW's Tiguan 103TDI, which is only $300 more than the Skoda Yeti with the same engine. At the entry level the 77TSI Yeti is more competitive at $2200 less than the more powerful 118TSI Tiguan.DESIGNAnd there is certainly nothing abominable about its character. Styling is a standout in a world of lookalikes. It might not be the prettiest face with its bulging fog light sockets and boxy rear but it has identity.Styling is purposeful and functional and high on versatility and maximising space. Its three-piece back seats fold and slide every which way. With near vertical sides and tailgate, the load volume is almost van-like. The interior is inviting and well laid out with familiar Volkswagen-style controls and instruments.DRIVEOn test, a manual 77TSI was not to be fooled by its small capacity. With the help of turbocharging it punches above its weight. Power delivery is smooth and progressive with eager step-off, decent mid-range response and a relaxed touring gait.Frugal too at 6.5 litres/100km of premium unleaded on test or the same as the 103TDI auto also on test. The official combined figures are of 6.6 litres/100km for the TSI manual and 6.7 litres/100km for the TDI auto. Slick and precise, the six-speed manual shift is a delight to use. The DSG is quick and decisive, but still shows some jerkiness on take-up and is not suited to left foot braking.The 4-Motion system sends 90 per cent of the drive to the front wheels until slip is detected when up to 100 per cent of drive can be directed to the rear wheels. Off-road, the Yeti will clear all but the sharpest humps and cope easily with dry, rutted forestry tracks.The chassis is well sorted with agile and confident handling, less body roll than expected of such a tall frame and a comfortable and compliant ride, at least in the base model. The wider tyres on the TDI were lumpy over secondary surfaces. Electro-hydraulic steering is well weighted and quick enough. VERDICTThe big challenge for the Yeti is to gain a foothold in a cluttered market.

Bingo! It's been a long hard slog but Skoda could finally have a winner on its hands. The compact off road segment is where it's happening and the Volkswagen off-shoot has come up with a little beauty in the form of the Yeti. Yeti (love that name) not only looks good, it goes well and is priced well too, which is half the battle.POWERThis one is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. You can also get a 2.0-litre turbo diesel but it's considerably more expensive  and all wheel drive too. The turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI engine develops 77kW of power and 175Nm of torque. It's available with a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed DSG transmission, with drive through the front wheels.ECONOMYCombined fuel consumption is a claimed 6.6 litres/100km for the manual or 7.0 litres/100km for the DSG, a twin clutch box that functions like an auto. We were getting 8.3 according to the trip computer.OFF ROADBeing the two-wheel drive version we wouldn't be planning any major off road excursions. But with short front and rear overhangs and 180mm of ground clearance it will make short work of dirt roads.HOW'S IT GO?High seating position with plenty of vision. Nice to see a large digital speedo can be displayed. Surprisingly nippy for such a small engine. We really need to start thinking in terms of power and torque instead of outright capacity.HOW MUCH?Prices start from $26,290 plus on-roads. The DSG transmission which we heartily recommend adds an extra $2300. It's a lot for the auto but the engine really shines under its stewardship, with seven cogs to spread the load.SAFETYGets a full five starts for safety in crash tests. Seven airbags are standard including a driver's knee bag to protect your lower legs in an accident. It's also fitted with all the latest electronic driver aids to help prevent an accident including electronic stability control.WADDAYAGET?All the usuals including aircon, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, remote central locking,  16 inch alloys and a full size steel spare. The steering wheel is height and reach-adjustable, with phone and audio controls. Bluetooth is standard along with an eight-speaker audio system is standard with an AUX input.The flexible three rear seats can be adjusted independently or removed completely. The two outside seats move backwards and forwards, the centre seat folds down to form an arm rest or can be removed all together allowing the two outside seats to be pushed together.VERDICTWe like it. We like it a lot. Easy to drive, easy to get in and out of. Reminds us a lot of the original Forester. Nice and safe in the event of an accident too. Boot is not huge but that's the price you pay for a full size spare.

Deep in Siberia earlier this year a group of scientists gathered to study the yeti, the legendary humanoid creature also known as bigfoot or abominable snowman.The region around Tashtagol, more than 3000km east of Moscow, has had a spate of sightings. After finding tracks and other evidence, the scientists declared themselves 95 per cent certain it existed. Cynics, of course, say it was all a publicity stunt for the tourism-starved region and the yeti is as real as the Loch Ness monster. A few weeks later, deep in the Northern Territory, a little off-roader called the Skoda Yeti is making tracks of its own. Witnesses say a dozen Yetis meandered along the Finke River, leaving deep ruts in the sand, before settling into a makeshift camp where lots of beer was drunk.Cynics, of course, say it was all a publicity stunt to prove to Australians that Skoda exists. Now, I'm not a scientist, but I can see the problem. There have been increasing reports of sightings during the past three years, but the evidence for Skoda's existence here is thin.Some motorists are only 95 per cent certain. The beast may or may not be imaginary, but the Yeti SUV should be the car that confirms the Czech brand means business. Executives say it will be Skoda's most important model and, with sales expectations of up to 300 a month, we'll soon notice them.  Truth is, the Yeti car has nothing to do with the shaggy troglodyte and seems to be another victim of Skoda's random naming strategy. This has given us the Octavia, Roomster and Superb.Anyone detect a theme here? Skoda's other SUV is the Scout, really an Octavia in desert boots with half a foot in the traditional station wagon segment. In engineering terms, the Yeti is related to that car, but where the Scout straddles, the Yeti jumps feet-first into the bunfight for compact SUV buyers.In the minds of marketers, these are tanned 20-something couples setting off on life's journey with mountain bikes and smiles. In reality, everyone must be buying them because they are the only type of vehicle with a sales graph pointing north.Most brands already have at least one, and the Yeti joins two dozen rivals to compete for about 110,000 buyers this year.VALUEOnly the two smallest categories of car sell more. That suggests the Yeti is in the right place. At 4.2m long, it's one of the smallest SUVs you can buy: shorter than a Mitsubishi ASX or Nissan Dualis and shorter than the upcoming Subaru XV.With a tiny 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the 77TSI is the other bookend of the Yeti range. From $26,290, it goes against the entry-level Japanese on price, and if it goes to form, four out of 10 Yeti buyers will save money and forget their offroad ambitions. Despite what the scientists in Siberia found, there's nothing to see out in them thar woods.DESIGNIts upright shape means interior space doesn't suffer, with plenty of headroom, while the rear has taken the marketing cliché and gone nuts, with seats that fold, flip, slide or can be removed so that even the most awkward snowboard or baby seat can fit. If the centre section is taken out, the outboard seats can be relocated more centrally. There's probably a good use for that, but I'm struggling to imagine what it is.The cabin turns plain into a virtue, lightened here and there by shiny details and soft materials. For the cargo space, the tailgate opens high enough to stand under unless you're indecently tall, and they are hooks and tie-downs to secure at least 310 litres of stuff with all the rear seats in place.It could be deeper, and probably is in some markets, but for Australia, Skoda has fitted a false floor with a space-saver spare below. Like many new small cars, the design cribs from Mini. In this case it's the Mini's colour-contrasting flat roof.The cabin glass appears to wrap around the rear thanks to blacked-out pillars and, although that's a visual trick, it contributes to a successful design. It's pleasing to see a car that bucks the trend towards high beltlines and shallow glass relative to the body sides for some old-fashioned SUV proportions. At the same time, the Yeti looks nothing like a normal offroader.SAFETYSkoda was keen to demonstrate that it's not all hat and no cattle either, hence the excursion to Finke River. A check of the spec sheet suggests the Yeti has some bush credentials, with underbody protection and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system that heavily prioritises the fronts until they slip, when up to 90 per cent can be directed to the rears.The rear axle has its own limited slip differential and individual wheels can be braked to stop them spinning. Specialised offroad software, such as hill descent control, is available in an optioned bundle. Not many compact SUVs come with all this.TECHNOLOGYBefore we get to the national park there's 120km of tarmac, very little traffic and Territory speed limits to exploit. The diesel engine in this 103TDI has been shared by many brands in the Volkswagen group and holds no surprises.It is easily powerful enough to get this 1.3-tonner to 130km/h and keep it there in a relaxed manner. It isn't quick, of course, at 9.9 seconds to 100km/h, but economy of 6.2 litres is some compensation. Those figures are for the manual, and the double-clutch DSG auto isn't as good on either count.DRIVINGOn the highway, the ride and refinement are acceptable, although with quite a lot of tyre noise on a coarse surface. The steering feels vague and handling has all the vices you would expect of a tall, boxy device.But at least it's not pretending to be a sportscar, like most SUVs seem to do. There's honesty to the way it goes about its business. It's the same offroad. The Finke River trail to Boggy Hole runs along the riverbed much of the way.There are large stones, water crossings and long stretches of soft sand. LandCruisers have trouble here. Too slow in the sandy sections and you'll get bogged. The double-clutch automatic isn't the first choice of outback adventurers and, left to its own devices, it doesn't work well.The manual felt more assured. It wasn't long before a tricky section caught out a Yeti, and if the one in front gets stuck, it slows everyone, bogging them too. Once they are grounded underneath, they are like upside-down turtles. The Yeti's relatively low clearance is a drawback here.With a little help from the offroad toolkit carried by a Volkswagen Amarok support vehicle, though, everyone got through. There was little damage except to tyres. Skoda says the car is robust, and it stood up to the test. If its limits were explored as an offroader, it wasn't just about the car. Since the Yeti is not ideally equipped for bush-bashing, the margins for driver error are smaller than they would be in a full-strength four-wheel drive.The return journey was less problematic, at least partly because everyone was more aware of the car's limits. With sufficient skill, and only a small fleet of support vehicles, you could go quite a long way in a Yeti.VERDICTIt could take Skoda a long way too, on to many shopping lists for the first time. The diesel all-wheel-drive version is only half the story. Like most compact SUVs, the Yeti also comes with front-wheel-drive only, as yet undriven.

The Yeti has an identity crisis. The compact Skoda SUV has moved out of the grainy footage and into the spotlight . Only to be revealed as a Volkswagen with smarter seats. The Czech-based outfit is meant to be the entry level to the VW Group, yet this vehicle is only $300 less than the VW Tiguan it's based on. Not so in the UK, where up to $3000 separates comparable Yeti/Tiguans. VALUE The turbodiesel is the range-topper in the (for now) two model Yeti range and is priced at $35,690 for the six-speed manual, with a $2300 premium for the six-speed DSG auto. It is loaded with features and is priced within $1000 of the Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Sportage.But then there's the Tiguan at only $300 more and with far more brand authority.  Offsetting that is the fact the Yeti picks up 17-inch alloys,  front fog lights, a better sound system and dual-zone airconditioning.TECHNOLOGY The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine produces 103kW and 320Nm and is a proven performer in the VW Group stable. Matched to the six-speed twin-clutch automated manual gearbox, it officially uses 6.7 litres/100km, dropping down to 6.2 litres if buyers opt for the six-speed manual. What makes the Yet special is the VarioFlex rear seats.The centre pew can be removed and the outside seats moved in to give more elbow room, while they all move fore and aft and can be folded down or taken out entirely depending on cargo. DESIGN Unmistakably Skoda, the Yeti stands out from the crowd, though the massive front fog lights blight the front-end.  The silver-coloured plastic "U" that surrounds the bottom of the radiator vent gives it some machismo and the boxy rear lets it swallow huge loads once the parcel shelf  is removed. Rear visibility is good and, unless you've jacked the front seats right up, you don't have to climb into it. SAFETY The Yeti adds a driver's kneebag to trump the Tiguan with seven airbags to six but both are five-star cars. ABS brakes are backed by a hill-hold feature, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist. Stability control is also standard, along with an auto-dimming rear-vision mirror. DRIVING Inoffensive is the best description of the compact Skoda on the road. The suspension is firm without being spine-jolting and helps minimise body roll in the turns but the six-speed auto hesitates or requires a hefty kick to jump up or down the cogs from low speeds - it's almost as though it's asking "are you sure?" before responding.The seven-speed DSG in the Tiguan doesn't do this, so I'm blaming the engineers' search for fuel economy as the cause, given I found myself driving around the problem by either being very light on the pedal or flooring it, depending on the situation. The four-wheel drive system could cope with a deal more than the short stretch of corrugated gravel road Carsguide tested it on. VERDICTPracticality as a load-lugger makes the Yeti hard to look past, even at a comparable price to more established brands. It is well-specced and a competent drive on or off the bitumen, so the value equation is certainly not abominable.