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The brilliant beast – Skoda’s first generation Yeti revisited

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Author: | Updated: 07 Nov 2013 15:22

Skoda’s loveable monster – the Yeti – has been attracting admirers since it first went on sale in 2009.

Four years and several prestigious accolades on, the compact SUV is still being able to outstrip many of its rival, however a refresh rolls round right on cue as Skoda seeks to maintain its rapidly developing and ever-surprising product range.

Ahead of driving the updated Yeti this week, ContractHireAndLeasing.com took some time out to get reacquainted with the original car and rediscover what was so brilliant about it in the first place.

Skoda’s loveable monster – the Yeti – has been attracting admirers since it went on sale in 2009.

Aside from replacing some outmoded parts such as steering wheel controls, gear stick, touchscreen and the now-phased out logo and lettering, there’s nothing too urgent Skoda needs to do to whip the big friendly SUV into shape.

If the forthcoming refresh was a mere tinkering and tidying exercise, few people would moan. As such, Skoda has decided to take a more drastic approach, splitting the car into two different models but more on that here and here.

there’s nothing too urgent Skoda needs to do to whip the big friendly SUV into shape.

The facelifted Yeti will carry over the virtually the same engine range from the first car, minus the 1.4 TSI, and the 1.6 TDI Greenline II model we drove recently was as brutish as it was frugal.

The Yeti Greenline claims a 61.4 combined mpg, which we surpassed it by 2.2mpg Getting to 62mph may take 12.1seconds but with 105bhp, it never felt frustrating or lazy and in the lower range of the five speed manual, you’d guess a 0-62mph dash closer to the 10 second mark due to the heaving 250Nm of torque available.

Fuel economy is surprising too. The spec sheet claims a 61.4 combined mpg and on a frostbitten November morning, we surpassed it by 2.2mpg over a 22-mile commute, with the heated seats and air con on all the way.

It would have been interesting to see just how high that consumption figure could have been pushed and in all honesty, doing laps of the M60 all day in such a hugely fulfilling car did seem appealing. Alas…

Some similar models have a habit of seating the driver too upright or making them feel exposed (you want names? Okay, 2008 and Mokka/Trax), however, the Yeti’s snug and sturdy cabin instils comfort and confidence almost immediately.

the Yeti’s snug and sturdy cabin instils comfort and confidence almost immediately.

The inclusion of extras like Hill Hold Control, full leather upholstery, Bluetooth, stop/start and cruise control make Elegance models (starting from £19,235 OTR) make the Yeti an even better place to be.

Skoda has come a long way in recent years with its ever popular Octavia and Fabia models helping it grow into a brilliant and bold brand. A spruced-up Yeti will only aid its development.

Read our first drive verdict of the facelifted Yeti

The original Skoda Yeti in numbers:

Length: 4223mm
Width: 1793mm
Height: 1691mm
Wheelbase: 2578mm
Boot space: 440 / 984 litres
Petrol engines: 1.2L TSI 105PS, 1.4L TSI 122PS, 1.8L TSI 160PS
Diesel engines: 1.6L TDI 105 PS, 2.0L TDI 110PS
Trims: E, S, SE, SE Plus, Elegance, Laurin & Klement
Cheapest Yeti: £15,250 – E 1.2 TSI 5dr
Priciest Yeti: £27,180 - Laurin & Klement 2.0 TDI CR (170bhp) 4x4 DSG 5dr
On sale: Now. Facelift model delivering from January 2014
Rivals: Volkswagen Golf Plus, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka

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