Skoda Yeti 2014 review

We've come to expect the unexpected from Skoda, and not just the styling. The likes of the short-lived Roomster and the latest Yeti definitely stick out from the crowd but a Skoda badge invariably means something even more unexpected. As an example, there's the umbrella in a sheath in the back door of the Superb wagon.

Unfortunately, Skoda is also - unexpectedly - not as cheap as you might hope. The brand plan for Australia was always that a Skoda would sit below an equivalent Volkswagen on price. That is not happening as the costs from the Czech Republic stay relatively high and the "mothership" grabs as many sales as it can.

Unfortunately, Skoda is also - unexpectedly - not as cheap as you might hope. 

DESIGN

So the Yeti, like the beast that provided the name, is close to invisible in Australia. It's definitely not known as well as the Tiguan.

VALUE

And yet the bold youngster - after a facelift this year and introduction of a front-drive starter at a value price of $23,490 - is definitely worth a look. It's flexible, practical and drives well. The cabin has everything you need, seating is flexible and the boot provides the usual Skoda surprise with excellent storage choices including hooks and netting.

My time with the Yeti is spent with the flagship 4x4 Outdoor, not remotely the model I would have chosen. I cannot see anyone heading to Big Red sand dune outside Birdsville with it.

The Yeti is an urban fighter and a family friend, although the 103kW engine is good and the seven-speed DSG that's used across the VW family does a good job as an auto and a driver-friendly manu-matic.

Every car needs to be compared with its rivals and the Yeti is in a maelstrom of compact SUV competition, where the field runs alphabetically from the Audi Q3 to the Tiguan, which now starts from $28,490.

The Yeti scores on its starting price but it's up against the cheapie Ford EcoSport and latest Holden Trax, and at the top end there is also the Tiguan in the $30,000-ish runners.

DRIVING

I like the Yeti, particularly its family friendliness, the solid feel and the competent chassis. However, it's not without flaws. The cabin feels cheaper than I expect, definitely in the hard-feel plastics used in much of the dash, and I'm not a fan of the super-upright rear bench seat.

Skoda is not finished yet with the Yeti, which is getting a solid push in Australia and will soon be stretched - with extra length in the chassis - into a compact seven-seater. It's not announced yet but it's coming next year, definitely providing that edge from Skoda.