For those needing a sturdy and versatile car that can handle outdoor living with no fuss, then the ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor is the one for you.
Since its market launch, the ŠKODA Yeti has touched the hearts of many SUV enthusiasts — and it has won a whole host of awards such as; Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Power and Efficiency:
My test car was fitted with a 150PS 2.0-litre diesel engine; its performance is not mind blowing – but it does get a move on once you get in the power band. 0-62mph comes in around 9.1sec – and you can expect fuel consumption figures to easily reach 55.5 mpg combined, plus low CO2 emissions of134g/km. Top speed is also around 121mph.
On the road:Firstly – I was really impressed by how the Yeti dealt with the lumps and bumps on our roads. Secondly – this is the 4×4 version – which basically means it handles like a hot hatch does into the corners and feels very controlled and steady when pushed to its limits. But, I do feel the Yeti needs to give the driver a bit more feedback through the steering – apart from that though, the Yeti is rather good.
Overtaking is not too much of a problem either if you are in the right gear. Ultimately, though, the Yeti is more about being a practical family SUV, with the comfort and stability of a 4×4.
Safety and Technology
Inside, The Yeti looks great, and has a nicely trimmed cabin which is something Skoda has worked on a lot over time. Rear leg room is also good – and Yeti will easily accommodate a large family with ease. The quality and feel inside the cabin is very good and if you really wanted to take the Yeti on an off-road drive you can be assured that nothing will fall off or break thanks to Skoda’s excellent build quality.
The level of standard equipment on the SE L Drive version starts with duel zone air conditioning, MP3 connection, cruise control, curtain airbags (front, passenger, side & knee airbags) heated front seats, heated front screen, ABS, EBV, MSR, ASR, EDS, DSR & ESBS, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, front & rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat fittings, Bi-xenon headlights, 17” Origami alloy wheels, Amundsen satellite navigation with DAB, silver roof rails and Maxi-DOT trip computer. This is just a small amount of what you can expect to find on what I consider to be a very well equipped car.
To sum up:The Yeti Outdoor is perfect for anyone looking for a family vehicle that has rugged looks, exceptional safety features and some very clever technology – meaning it is more than capable of handling most off-road situations, slippery roads or rough ground with ease. If I was in the market right now – then the Skoda Yeti Outdoor makes perfect sense to me.
Price: £26,100 OTR (excluding extras) By Anthony Yates
