Like many people, I guess I’ve always had preconceptions about Skoda, while also reading enough to know that today’s Skoda’s are a world away from the vehicles I remember from my younger years.
So I was really excited to finally get my hands on a Skoda of my own – albeit temporarily – when we were given the opportunity to try out a Skoda Yeti for size.
What did we think?
Well, first impressions were good. The Yeti looks big from the front, but actually is more a mid-sized SUV and the word “cute” springs to mind. Inside, the headroom and legroom were both great, and the seating position combined with the massive windows makes for great visibility.
We liked the generous sized boot which, as you can see, could easily fit two small children, and a bit of shopping too, no doubt. Ours came with a plastic tray inside, but we removed this when we went on longer drives, and used the tailgate for seating when we went to the beach – it’s always handy to have a tailgate where you can sit while getting boots on and off, and Flea’s getting a bit big to be lifted in and out of our Honda’s boot, I must confess.
We also tried the optional integrated cooler in our Yeti – basically a small fridge that will hold a few snacks and drinks, and is powered from the car’s charger. I have to say, at £100 plus, this isn’t something you’re going to use every day, but I can imagine it being very handy when we’re driving down to France in the summer and we have to cover some very long distances in the heat. Although I might have had to rethink the positioning of the fridge in this situation – I’m not sure kids would be able to resist the temptation to help themselves!
The most important thing, though – how does it drive?
Well, I was surprised – and really impressed – by how easy the Yeti is to drive. The steering felt light and responsive and I was amazed at how easy the car is to manoeuvre in tight spots, doing three-point turns in a busy car park, for example. The parking sensors are great, the sat-nav is easy to use, and the sound system is a lot of fun.
On the motorway, the Yeti was a pleasure to drive and made me realise how much I miss having a diesel engine – it’s enormously responsive, feels powerful, and makes driving a lot of fun.
Overall, then, the Yeti might not be the most elegant car we’ve ever driven but it’s enormously fun to drive, and the space and comfort make it a good option for a family car. We loved it!
