Hans-Dieter Seufert Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI 4x4 Experience tested
27.03.2010
You could also have called him Rübezahl. After all, there is the Giant Mountains, where this bushy-bearded mountain spirit was occasionally spotted, the home of the new Skoda Y eti far closer than the Himalayas. So be it: Yeti sounds better, and whether it is an actual existence does not matter with car names anyway.
The Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI shows the figure of a classic off-roader in the test
The VW Tiguan, a successful cross between a tiger and an iguana, has not even seen Reinhold Messner . The Yeti from Skoda and the VW Tiguan from the parent company Volkswagen present themselves as close relatives. VW cleverly avoids the mistake of so-called badge engineering that dilutes any brand character - i.e. different brand emblems on the same car. The Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI is stylistically one Step away from the fashionable SUV crossover universal design and show the rustic figure of the classic off-roader. The vertically cut rear and the flared fenders make it appear more compact and sturdy on the road than its VW brother at first glance.
Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI in the test with top equipment
The additional headlights do the rest, reminding us of the almost forgotten fact that lights can simply be round. According to the brand philosophy, a Skoda has to be cheaper than a comparable Volkswagen. This calls for the art of saving with largely identical technology without making the customer feel poor. Operation successful, may be determined. Although when looking at the photos, it should be taken into account that the test car comes from the top equipment line called Experience. For example, the red pencil was applied to the door panels, where the often maligned hard plastic spreads. But that doesn't look unattractive and is at best a minus point for people who like to knock the interior of their car with their knuckles. In general, the interior looks quite high quality and - a lotmore important - ergonomically thought out.
The seating system in the Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI was taken over from the Skoda Roomster
The operation is largely self-explanatory, although the test car from the most complex navigation system (type Columbus, 1,820 euros) to perfect functioning Bluetooth coupling of the mobile phone (330 euros) has almost everything on board that the surcharge list offers. Comfortable seats and good all-round visibility increase the feel-good factor - as does the fact that the Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI can also handle larger transport tasks when required. The seating system in the rear was adopted from the Skoda Roomster - there are three individual seats, with the middle one only being a short-haul solution. The outer seats can be moved lengthways and crossways or removed.
Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI in the test with remarkable terrain properties
The standard equipment of the Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI version also includes all-wheel drive. It uses the proven system with an electronically controlled Haldex clutch that distributes the torque between the front and rear axles. When driving normally on firm ground, the Skoda Yeti is practically a front-wheel drive vehicle with 96 percent front axle share. Depending on the grip situation and performance, some of the power flows to the rear axle. The whole thing works imperceptibly and above all at lightning speed. Even a brutal start does not allow the front wheels to spin significantly because the rear axle engages immediately. The electronic networking of the all-wheel drive, a locking function on the rear axle and an off-road mode with hill descent aid that is active at the push of a button give the Skoda Yeti considerable off-road properties.
The test shows that the Skoda Yeti 1.8 has good driving characteristics offers
If you don't need it, you benefit from excellent traction in winter - and from extremely pleasant driving characteristics all year round. With the precise steering, the Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI obediently follows the will of the driver and can be controlled effortlessly even in wet conditions. There are no concessions typical of an off-road vehicle, the driving manners are those of a modern, well-coordinated compact car: handy, nimble and inspire confidence - up to and including the brakes that can withstand heavy loads. And the best thing about it in everyday life: the firm, but cleanly appealing suspension, which is not overwhelmed by rough waves.
With the Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI, less than eight liters per 100 kilometers are possible in the test
So driving pleasure, to which the drive unit also contributes. Frequent drivers will prefer one of the available diesels, but with normal annual mileage the turbo-charged 1.8-liter gasoline engine is a good choice. It runs extremely cultivated even at high speeds and reacts spontaneously to the gas. Only when starting off do you have to be prepared for the fact that the torque does not exceed the force of a dieselPowertrain fails. 9.5 liters of test consumption are not a reason for hurray, but still appropriate if you take the temper of the engine into account. If you shift diligently and use the upper gears, you can get by with less than eight liters, although shifting is fun in itself because the lever slips from one position to the other by itself. The competition is diverse, but considering the many good features of the Skoda Yeti, one can be confident about Skoda. The good genes of the progenitor VW Tiguan make it one of the most pleasant appearances in the densely populated segment of SUV compacts.
