I do like the new Skoda Yeti with its funky upright and perky styling... but if I was to buy one it wouldn't be the petrol 118 tsi.
It has one of the most prodigious thirsts for fuel this side of a V8.
During a week of city and country driving...200 kms on the open road.. the engine sucked premium at an average of 9.7 litres per hundred kilometres.
Considering all the marvellously frugal and powerful engines available in the Audi/ VW/ Skoda range, it was very disappointing to say the least.
A vast gulf between the powerful, quiet and smooth 103 tdi engine I tried in another Yeti variant a week or two previously.
That aside, many will enjoy the extra high seat hip line which makes for easy entry and egress.
It has one of the most prodigious thirsts for fuel this side of a V8.
During a week of city and country driving...200 kms on the open road.. the engine sucked premium at an average of 9.7 litres per hundred kilometres.
Considering all the marvellously frugal and powerful engines available in the Audi/ VW/ Skoda range, it was very disappointing to say the least.
A vast gulf between the powerful, quiet and smooth 103 tdi engine I tried in another Yeti variant a week or two previously.
That aside, many will enjoy the extra high seat hip line which makes for easy entry and egress.
The doors open almost ninety degrees, and the front pair have red safety lights in the trailing edge.
The fascia is familiar to anyone who has sat in a current VW/Audi.
Skoda has its own touches here and there but the VW heritage is obvious and that's a good thing.
The 118tsi while less than impressive in the economy stakes, has a real turn of performance.
The fascia is familiar to anyone who has sat in a current VW/Audi.
Skoda has its own touches here and there but the VW heritage is obvious and that's a good thing.
The 118tsi while less than impressive in the economy stakes, has a real turn of performance.
The six speed manual gearbox in my test car proved easy to use with a good spread of ratios..
Sixth however best left for the highway...
At 100 kays or more the car is very quiet, wind and tyre noise, barely audible.
Fifth is still useable around town at 60 kays, with enough torque to pull away from less than fifty with a gentle throttle.
Seats are comfy and head room for my 6'3" frame is more than adequate.
The ride is not as compliant over unsettled road surfaces as I had expected.. but still acceptable.
Some cost cutting is evident on the 118tsi.. grab handles are not damped and there is no courtesy light on either passenger of driver sun visor.
However the headlights are very good, providing an excellent penetrating light on either low or high beam.
The short rear overhang means boot space is less than it could be but there's still enough room for a family's luggage, and even more when the rear seats are folded down.
At 100 kays or more the car is very quiet, wind and tyre noise, barely audible.
Fifth is still useable around town at 60 kays, with enough torque to pull away from less than fifty with a gentle throttle.
Seats are comfy and head room for my 6'3" frame is more than adequate.
The ride is not as compliant over unsettled road surfaces as I had expected.. but still acceptable.
Some cost cutting is evident on the 118tsi.. grab handles are not damped and there is no courtesy light on either passenger of driver sun visor.
However the headlights are very good, providing an excellent penetrating light on either low or high beam.
The short rear overhang means boot space is less than it could be but there's still enough room for a family's luggage, and even more when the rear seats are folded down.
There are various shopping hooks and configurations.
A quality sound system is a bonus, and its clarity is superb.
A quality sound system is a bonus, and its clarity is superb.
The Yeti has been awarded best SUV under 40 thousand dollars in a recent on line survey, and it's easy to see why.
It has enough special features and style to make it stand out from the others in its class... but steer clear of the 118 petrol engine, unless someone else is paying your fuel bill..
Peter Sellen
It doesn't look massive and rowdy but its size is more than a hatchback or a sedan.In conparison to other leading SUV's its a huge failure.
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