Skoda Yeti Elegance 2.0 TDI CR (170bhp) 4x4 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Performance credentials in the Skoda Yeti Elegance 2.0 TDI CR (170 bhp) 4x4 offers improvements on the other 2.0 litre diesel models in the Skoda Yeti range. The four cylinder engine delivers 170 bhp of power, with torque figures of 258 lb-ft at 1750-2500 rpm, to this front-wheel-drive car. The vehicle has an impressive top speed of 125 mph with acceleration fairly rapid for a car of this size, taking just 8.4 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

Whilst the handling and steering are responsive within this car, the suspension could do with improvement. The driving experience can be a little uncomfortable with the car struggling to smooth out any imperfections or bumps within the road.

The car fails to match the high economic value of other diesel models in the range. Fuel efficiency reaches just 47.9 mpg and carbon emissions of 155 g/km are fairly high, putting the car under road tax band G.

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 high speeds. In terms of engine noise, this model is fairly quiet but lacks the refinement of the petrol models.

The Skoda Yeti is a fairly attractive car. The Elegance model is the highest trim level of offer and this means there are plenty of standard features for buyers to enjoy.

Fittings which are offered as standard include power steering, central locking, stability control, climate control, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a leather seated interior, Bluetooth connectivity and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility.

A built-in sat nav is only available for an additional cost of £1,510 whilst the exterior can be upgraded to a metallic paint finish for an extra £440.

With large amounts of cabin space for both passengers and luggage, the Skoda Yeti is a very 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 the height of the car allows plenty of headroom.

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, 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.

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.

Priced at £23,675 this car cost significantly more than other models within the range. Those who prioritise comfort and performance over efficiency will see this cost as worthwhile but those on a budget are likely to opt for models which offer a good compromise of features – such as the Skoda Yeti SE Plus 2.0 TDI CR.

That being said, resale values are good for the range and this means the Skoda Yeti Elegance 2.0 TDI CR (170 bhp) 4x4 could still be a good option for those looking for long term ownership.
It should be remembered that the running costs will be higher due to the lower efficiency however and whilst the SE Plus model offers fuel economy of 52.3 mpg with insurance and tax costs under brackets 12 and E respectively the Elegance model lowers efficiency to 47.9 mpg whilst associated motoring costs rise to group 16 for insurance premiums and band G for road tax.