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

Performance credentials in the Skoda Yeto SE 2.0 TDI CR are identical to those of the Skoda Yeti S 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. 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.

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.

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

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.

The Skoda Yeti is an attractive car with great visual appeal. The SE model offers upgraded trim from both the E and S models but some may feel the additional features are not enough to warrant the higher purchase price.

Fittings which are 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.

The air conditioning offered in other models is upgraded to climate control but other features can only be added for an additional cost. Bluetooth connectivity is priced at £340 with a built-in sat nav costing £1,510 whilst a leather seated interior will set buyers back £1,815. Stability control is still only available for an additional cost of £410.

With large amounts of cabin space for both passengers and luggage, the Skoda Yeti is a great, practical 4x4. The boot offers a decent capacity of 416 litres with the seats up, 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 so there shouldn't be too much need for looking away from the road.

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. The advanced safety kit 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 trim upwards the Yeti also comes with an airbag to protect the driver’s knees.

Priced at £18,230 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 but the price difference between this model and the more basic S may seem a little steep for buyers.

Ultimately, it is only the trim that differs between the S and the SE models with performance credentials are running costs almost identical. Buyers looking for a car on a budget are therefore likely to select the S model over the SE, whilst those more concerned with comfort will prefer the SE. The only additional consideration to bear in mind is upgrading the trim to the SE model will push the car into a higher insurance band (12) but these costs will still be more than manageable.