2014 Skoda Yeti Review
So the 2014 Skoda Yeti has a name that draws more laughs than those wacky animal compilations on YouTube, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a worthy vehicle. To start with the SUV’s styling in rough and rugged – like the abominable snowman. The boxy styling reminds onlookers that it’s a genuine trail ready 4×4.
The Yeti may have rugged, truck like looks, but it handles as well as most cars. There is plenty of grip and little body roll, with GreenLine II models feeling even sharper thanks to their 10mm lower suspension. That dropped height however, does result in a rougher ride.
Under the bonnet, there is some bite to back up the Yeti’s bark (the sound of Himalayan ape-like cryptids has never been documented, so I guess we don’t know if they actually bark). It starts with the 1.2 TSI which offers adequate performance and exceptional fuel mileage. There are also more powerful petrol options including the 1.8 TSI, which comes with four-wheel drive. For those who love soot churners, there is the 1.6 TDI diesel engine, exclusive to the eco-friendly Skoda Yeti Greenline models. The little diesel feels sluggish at times but its exceptional mileage more than compensates for the lack of get-up-and-go. The 2.0 TDI diesel is another option – offered in 109bhp, 138bhp and 168bhp variants.
Of course, a vehicle named after the abominable snowman that isn’t equipped with four-wheel drive is unacceptable. The 2014 Skoda Yeti’s four-by-four system offers excellent grip in mud, snow or other rough terrain, while the system also controls throttle response to minimise wheel spin and help the car to descend steep hills. A single button on the dash automatically controls the Yeti’s entire off-road prowess including the traction control, hill descent control and braking, making traversing the wilderness a cinch.
Unfortunately, the tall and right-angle bias design of the rig is bad for aerodynamics, so there is quite a lot of wind and road noise at high speeds, and the diesel engines are quite boisterous.
The 2014 Skoda Yeti has exceptional reliability records, so it won’t leave you stranded in the wilderness. Skoda is owned by parent company Volkswagen, meaning quality is guaranteed. The Yeti’s body is as square as Area = a2, which allows for generous cabin space, even though its wheelbase is quite short. The boot measures 416-litres, but the tall roofline allows for 1,580 litres of space when the back seats are folded – 1,760 litres of capacity with the back seats completely removed.
Neat tricks found throughout the interior include boot rails with shopping bag (or gun rack) hooks on either side, a deep lidded cubby on top of the dash, usefully sized door pockets and a centre armrest with storage underneath.
Despite being as square as a rubik’s cube, the Yeti returns impressive fuel mileage. Even the entry-level 1.2-litre will return 44mpg while producing 149g/km of CO2, but for maximum efficiency the Greenline model with the 1.6-litre diesel is the ride of choice. This engine emits only 119g/km of CO2 while consuming a meagre 61.4mpg.
If you plan on towing with your rig, the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel is a better choice. This unit emits 134g/km, or 154g/km depending on if you buy one with two or four-wheel drive. As always, four-by-four models consume and pollute more than their two-by counterparts.
The 2014 Skoda Yeti is practical, economical and can tackle the great outdoors. If you are looking for a four-wheel drive SUV that can do it all, the Skoda Yet might be the vehicle for you – as long you don’t mind people snickering when you reveal its name.
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