If you’re looking for a car that can handle itself on tight city streets, on large open motorways and down twisting country lanes then you need the Skoda Yeti Urban.
I was a bit apprehensive about testing the Urban Yeti at first, mainly because I didn’t know a lot about it. Basically, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like it too much. It’s not the type of car that you talk about with the lads over a few drinks and you don’t really see it plastered all over the place on car forums. However, after I was done testing the motor I was more than just pleasantly surprised.
Usually, I jump into a car and instantly start picking out the obvious things I don’t like, but that’s only after I’ve given the outside of the car a good inspection with my fine comb and white glove (I don’t literally do that). The older Yeti was a bit smaller and you can definitely notice that this new Urban Yeti has bulked up. It looks more like a 4×4 and less like an estate car and it’s even got a bit of a sporty look about it too.
The 2.0 TDi 2wd version I tested had a gorgeous set of grey and black bi-colour wheels that really gave the car a racing edge. So before I even sat into the Yeti, I was, as I said above, pleasantly surprised.
It’s the small things that make a big difference… like these rims
The interior of the Yeti simply oozes with Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ ideas, such as an adjustable arm rest, multiple cup holders and a handy parking ticket holder, just to name a few. You also get a panoramic sunroof which will certainly keep the kids entertained, but if you happen to be childless then you too can sit in the back and look up at the stars with the missus beside you. Just make sure to pull up the handbrake…
There was even a hint of fake carbon fibre along the front of the dash, which really appealed to the ‘boy racer’ in me. However, the centrepiece of the whole interior has to be the Vario-Flex Seating, which allows for up to eight different seating options in the back. However handy the Vario-Flex Seating might be, it was a bit difficult trying to move the seats around, especially if you’re short tempered like a certain someone (me).
Stuck for words…
I was driving around the Sally Gap, giving the car a good long run, when the girlfriend turned around and asked ‘what don’t you like about the car?’ I can honestly say that I was stuck for words. I loved this car. It handled brilliantly for a big tall bus of a motor, it was extremely comfortable no matter what the terrain was and most importantly, I definitely wouldn’t be embarrassed rolling up to a party or business meeting in the Yeti Urban.
Another great little surprise the Yeti had tucked up its sleeve (or wheel arch) was its fuel efficiency. A full tank of diesel lasted over a week and that was even after a few long spins. I was in and out of work everyday, around Sally Gap twice and a few spins out towards Kilcock, all on a singe tank. Great news, considering we could be paying nearly €1.80 (and the rest) per litre in the not too distant future.
Annual road tax for the Yeti Urban comes in at just €225 which is nothing really and the 2.0 TDi 2wd version I tested costs €25,495, which is a reasonable price for a large sports utility vehicle like this. All in all, I’d say this is the perfect car for a young dad who is looking to keep his cool, or the bloke who wants a big car but without the big price tag. It’s definitely something I would drive myself.
Having seen a few brand new Yetis on the road, the one thing I’d say about them is that the colour of the car makes a massive difference as to how mean and sporty it looks. I’d stick with the metallic black for that extra edge… but that’s just me.
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