WHAT do you do if you are a maker of sensible, practical and good-value cars seeking to break out into a more dynamic and fun sector? You go a bit wild, that’s what.
Skoda might have achieved the impossible by near-as-darn-it shaking off its old, less desirable image by reinventing its range of cars and, crucially, itself.
However, give or take the occasional warm performance car, fun hasn’t really been part of the equation.
The Czech firm’s line-up is certainly impressive, but it’s all a little sensible. The brand’s traditional buyers wouldn’t have it any other way, but tempting new people – families, active types – is going to take more than millimetre-tight shut lines and plush upholstery.
In reality, it’s going to take something like the Yeti – part compact people-carrier, part mini 4x4 – to get tongues wagging.
Observant types might detect similarities with Skoda’s Roomster, but the tall hatch is biased towards the no-frills end of the market. The Yeti, on the other hand, is noticeably plusher inside and aimed at more adventurous types – read families and those with an active lifestyle.
The Yeti – the name is supposed to conjure up a more youthful and fun character than Roomster – is a fraction bigger than the aforementioned utility wagon. It’s based on the Octavia platform and the extra cabin width and general level of refinement is obvious.
What’s also obvious is the Yeti’s rugged exterior. It’s not being pitched as a mini Land Rover, but the bash-proof cladding is not only attractive, but also functional.
The car’s generous ride height is another sign of the Yeti’s abilities. Buyers get the choice of four or front-wheel drive, with the former a proper Haldex system complete with Skoda’s interpretation of hill descent control.
Either way, there’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, with the Yeti gaining the Volkswagen Group’s latest common-rail oil burners for maximum performance, economy and refinement.
And while it might be a modest engine line-up, quality outweighs quantity. Although Skoda might be forecasting a win for the two-litre 140bhp diesel, there are 110bhp and 170bhp models to choose from. If you don’t need four-wheel drive, the stand-out offering is the deceptively small 1.2-litre petrol motor.
The diesels all perform exceptionally well, but this 1.2 in TSI forced-induction trim with its 103bhp is a real surprise. Quiet, refined yet possessing ample power for urban driving duties and capable of holding its own on the motorway, you really do have to ask yourself if a more powerful engine is absolutely necessary.
Saying that, if you’re an adventurous type, combine diesel power and all-wheel drive and you’re laughing. Skoda might not be the first choice of those seeking a light-duty 4x4, but the Yeti excels in places you’d expect more rugged vehicles to struggle.
The combination of its extended ride height, attractive yet functional front and rear protection, the intelligent Haldex four-wheel-drive system and the flexible nature of the diesel engines conspire to make even the slipperiest of terrain passable with care.
What comes as a real surprise is the usefulness of the Yeti’s hill descent control. In an unusual move, it can be used with the car left in neutral.
Skoda explains that, unlike if left in gear, the electronics can slow the car right down without fear of stalling the engine. It feels counterintuitive at first, but works well – even in reverse for the times when you fail to make it up a hill or stall the engine.
The Yeti’s practical side also shines through in the cabin. The ambience might be closer to that of Skoda’s Octavia – plush materials, exceptional build quality – but you can still shuffle the rear seats around to suit your needs. The middle “half” seat can be removed and the Yeti made into a grown-up four-seater, and you can even take out one or all three seats to convert the Yeti into a posh van.
With its generous levels of standard kit, plus a full complement of safety equipment across the range, the choice of two or four-wheel drive, a line-up of impressive engines, a family-friendly cabin offering plenty of space and a driving experience on a par with offerings from more established car-makers, the Yeti is more than just a high-rise family hatch.
Ahead of its September launch, the Yeti range is expected to start from about £14,000, with the mid-range all-wheel-drive diesel likely to be close to £17,000. That’s not a lot of money for a something capable of so much. You could say it was a monster deal.
Model: Skoda Yeti, range from (about) £14,000 on the road. On sale September, 2009
Engine: 1.2 (103bhp) and 1.8 (158bhp) petrol, plus two-litre diesel in various states of tune (108, 138 and 168bhp)
Transmission: Five and six-speed manual transmissions available, plus an auto option; choice of front and four-wheel drive
Performance: tbc
Economy: tbc
CO rating: tbc