We humans like order and regularity. Obviously the odd bit of creative chaos is a nice thing to experience, but we are creatures of habit and are somewhat cautious of the new and the different. Trouble is that can mean we’re missing out just because templates are rigid and unyielding.
Cars used to fit neatly into such templates. There were saloons, hatchbacks and estates and that was pretty much it. We were all happy with that too; somehow we all managed fine with one of those options, but thankfully the idea of a little mixing and matching soon took hold. Skoda has a bit of history in this department too, with the Roomster playing the role of a supermini-cum-MPV and a bit of estate thrown in, and despite it sounding like an unholy mix it makes a lot of sense.
The tricky second album is the Yeti — perhaps so-named as this is another creature that isn’t quite one thing or another. The Yeti sticks one foot in the camp marked ‘CUV’ thanks to the rugged exterior. It has the raised ride height, chunky wheels and even chunkier bumpers that look suitable for barging obstinate foliage out of the way.
You can also have it with four-wheel drive too, so it really can hit the beaten track with confidence. But the Yeti is quite clearly a car: it doesn’t tower over pedestrians or demand two consecutive parking spaces at the side of the road. Length-wise it’s somewhere between the Fabia and Octavia but is nearly as wide as the Superb, and the reality is that for most people that is more than enough.
It gets better still on the inside. For starters there’s no need for a step ladder to climb aboard — your kids will be able to manage by themselves. Once inside, there’s more successful blending going on. You sit in slightly elevated fashion with a large windscreen in front of you for a splendid view out, but it’s still more car-like than bus-like, and the appealingly simple dashboard layout is just what is expected from a Skoda.
Anyone could climb behind the wheel and feel at home and unfazed, which is surely the name of the game. In terms of cabin and boot space the Yeti pulls off a passable impression of an estate car: rear seat space is very good while the boot is usefully square and tall, with the option of cargo dividers for extra practicality. There’s a conventional tailgate too which can even double as shelter if you’re outdoors and the weather turns tricky.
Despite this very sensible approach to creating a usable and practical car, the Yeti is certainly not adverse to a little playtime. Although the diesel-engined versions make a very good case for themselves, the 1.8-litre TFSI engine proves the petrol still has plenty to offer. For starters it is a remarkably rapid thing — with 158bhp on offer it can haul the Yeti from 0-100kph in a shade over eight seconds and keep pushing to 200kph but still sip fuel when required: the combined fuel consumption figure of 35.4mpg for a four-wheel drive petrol car of this performance is quite an achievement. Even the chassis is up for the task of helping you exploit the performance.
Verdict
With an engine that’s keen to rev, a very slick six-speed gearbox with a pleasing action to it and steering that is both accurate and sensitive without being hyperactive, the Yeti is a practical car that achieves the holy grail of being fun to drive too. Of course, the on-demand four-wheel drive system provides extra reassurance and the ability to use the performance in all sorts of weather. But this is not a performance car at heart; it is still a car to be used every day, for all sorts of tasks and to be as undemanding as possible. That it manages to do all those things so well is proof that an automotive cocktail can be a real treat.
Specs & ratings
Model Yeti
- Engine 1.8-litre four-cylinder
- Transmission Six-speed manual, 4WD
- Max power 158bhp @ 4,500rpm
- Max torque 250Nm @ 1,500rpm
- Top speed 200kph
- 0-100kph 8.4sec
- Price NA
