Yeti yomping

Jan 25 2010 Alistair Coull & Val Jessop

ALL thanks to the Yeti. Without it I'm not quite sure how I would have survived the recent abominable weather.

Even the eco-lobby, who normally shoot looks of disapproval at anything which hints of an off-roader, looked positively green - with envy.

There was just one day when Skoda's new 4x4 remained entombed in an igloo - when not even the farmer's JCB ventured out through giant ice sculptures shaped by flesh-biting blizzards.

It was only a three-mile drive to the 'mountain motorway' which, incidentally, was kept open, but the M62 might as well have been on another planet that day.

Instead of heading westwards to the office, I spent the day head bowed earthwards, excavating the Skoda and half a dozen other cars from their icy straitjackets.

But what a difference a day makes. The mercury, previously hovering between -8 and -10C, bounced back above freezing point, enough to release the Yeti from its petrified state and enable it to lumber forward with reassuring four-corner grip. Even on still treacherous sections where a 12-inch snowfall had compacted to six inches of solid ice, it cramponed on steadily but safely.

The 1.8-litre, 160bhp petrol-powered Yeti lumbered on, emitting a reassuring low-pitch, gravelly whirr as the Haldex 4x4 system was kept busy transferring power to and fro to wherever it was needed. It is a first-class system, sending up to 90% of the drive to the rear wheels when the front ones lost grip.

The all-roader was a godsend and I was thankful that this was the full-blown 4x4 Yeti which had been despatched for test, and not one of the 2x4 versions which, we're told, will make up around 80% of the sales of the new Yeti.

Several unplanned skating sessions in a Golf GTi the day before had been a little disconcerting. The sight of the Yeti parked outside the house brought a sigh of relief.

The Czech 'crossover vehicle' has already scooped 'Family Car of the Year' from Top Gear during its short life and few would deny the allure of its robust profile.

It initially reminded me of a squat version of the Land Rover Freelander 2 and those impressions still hold.

Once on bare road the Yeti was able to flex its muscles, achieving 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 124mph - with a combined fuel return of 35mpg. For a petrol 4x4 unit, that's good.

The Yeti handles well and the six-speed transmission is fine though a bit 'clunky'. The ride is firm, but not unduly so and there's excellent space for five - with the superb Varioflex seating which allows 20 configurations.

Standard kit is very good, including adjustable heated mirrors. The SE trim test car also gets 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, and cruise control.

- Val Jessop

AS Britain shivered in the coldest January for 30 years and as thousands of drivers faced the daily danger of slipping and slithering in unsuitable cars, I was able to gloat. How glad I was to be driving a Skoda Yeti.

With all the benefits of a 4x4 combined with the practicality of a family hatchback, there was nothing abominable about this Yeti as it made light work of the treacherous weather conditions.

Combining safety and comfort with bold design, the Yeti is a versatile family car no matter what the elements throw up.

Equipment levels are high across the range with electric front windows, CD player, air con, six airbags and Skoda's hugely practical Varioflex seating standard on all models.

Add the practicality of frugal fuel consumption and low emissions to the mix and its easy to see why the Yeti has already picked up a clutch of awards.

From the front, with its bold grille and high-mounted circular fog lights, the Yeti looks purposeful. By comparison, the sides and rear are fairly conservative with flat flanks, upright tailgate, extra ground clearance and very good headroom. Tough-guy synthetic protectors, under the front, sides and rear add credence to the Yeti's off-road ability.

In no way is the 'crossover' Yeti a serious mud-plugger but it can more than hold its own off road. The Yeti uses the Haldex system from the Czech carmaker's Octavia, which normally runs 96% front wheel drive but in icy, snowy or muddy situations rapidly transfers up to 90% of the power to the rear wheels.

The test car was powered by a 160bhp 1.8-litre petrol which 'officially' returns just over 35mpg and CO2 emissions of 189g/km. In atrocious conditions, the combined return was a bit down on the Skoda target but at around 30mpg it still wasn't bad.

The engine is an absolute gem. The Yeti has a good amount of low down grunt and, given the limitations of the weather, the 160bhp unit made for an enjoyable drive. With a top speed of 124mph and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds it was reasonably quick.

Despite its high ride and off-road ability, the Yeti is a very comfortable car at all speeds and is a sharp handler. Body roll is virtually non-existent and vibration from the wheels is well suppressed. On the open road it's quiet as well and while it has the 'commanding' driving position that town dwellers feel safe with it is still small enough to park easily in the multi-storey car park.

In the country, the Yeti exceeds expectations. It copes well plodding its way through mud and snow, but if you want to tackle really tough ground, an optional 'off road' button regulates the throttle, brakes, stability systems and torque transfer between the wheels while all the driver has to do is point the car in the right direction.

At only £85, it's an affordable option that could come in very handy once in a while.

- Alistair Coull

FAST FACTS

Skoda Yeti 1.8 SE

Price: £19,305

Mechanical: 160bhp, 1,768cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-62mph: 8.4 seconds

Combined mpg: 35.3

Insurance group: 8

CO2 emissions: 189g/km

BIK rating: 23%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles