Skoda Yeti SE Plus 2.0 TDI CR 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Performance credentials in the Skoda Yeti SE Plus 2.0 TDI CR are identical to those of the Skoda Yeti S 2.0 TDI CR and the Skoda Yeti SE 2.0 TDI CR. This means the four cylinder engine delivers a healthy 108 bhp of power, with torque figures of 184 lb-ft at 1500-2500 rpm, to this front-wheel-drive car. All in all, this gives the vehicle a decent top speed of 110 mph with acceleration fairly average as the car takes 11.6 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

Whilst the handling and steering is responsive within this car the suspension could do with improvement. As it stands, the drive can be a little uncomfortable with the car struggling to smooth out any imperfections or bumps within the road.

On top of this, noise disruption is fairly high within the cabin. The majority of this disruption comes from the wind and road this means that it is worst at higher speeds. In terms of engine noise, this model is fairly quiet but lacks the refinement of the petrol models.

In terms of efficiency, the car performs well and achieves 52.3 mpg on a combined cycle. Carbon emissions are a little high at 140 g/km but road tax costs remain fairly reasonable under insurance bracket E.

Externally, the Skoda Yeti is a fairly attractive car and this gives it great appeal. The SE Plus model offers upgraded trim and the difference in price between the standard SE and the SE Plus is minimal.

Fittings offered as standard include power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility. As stated, a built-in sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity become standard options with the purchase price only increased by £700 – far less than the £1,850 it would cost to add both these features to the standard SE model as optional extras.

Stability control is still only available for an additional cost of £410 and the option of a leather seated interior is no longer an option.

With large amounts of cabin space for both passengers and luggage, the Skoda Yeti is a great practical 4x4. With the seats in place the boot offers a decent capacity of 416 litres which can be expanded to 1,760 litres when the seats are folded down. The rear seats can also be slid backwards to accommodate passengers with longer legs and there is plenty of headroom thanks to the cars height.

For the driver, the driving position isn’t as high as in other 4x4s but there is plenty of adjustment within the seat and the steering column and this means that a comfortable position can be attained. The dashboard is also logically laid out and this means that operating controls whilst driving is easy.

Skoda are known for their reliability and this means that maintenance costs should be fairly low for this vehicle. Safety levels are also high and the car achieved a top five star rating for overall safety in the NCAP crash tests.

This is thanks to an advanced safety kit which includes driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard features alongside an alarm and immobiliser. Anti-whiplash head restraints are also standard fittings and from the S model upwards the Yeti also comes with an airbag to protect the driver’s knees.

Priced at £18,930 this car is still affordable for its class. Strong resale values offered with this car make it a great investment for those looking for long term ownership and the price difference between this model and the standard SE is minimal.

Running costs remain the same between the SE and SE Plus models with both offering fuel efficiency of 52.3 mpg with road tax falling under band E and insurance premiums under insurance group 12. This means that ultimately the only decision buyers have to make is over whether they consider a built-in sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity a priority for their vehicle.