Skoda Yeti SE Plus 4x4

The best all round car I've ever owned

I had owned two Land Rover Freelanders and wouldn't have a word said against them until I looked at the Yeti and was won over by the capital outlay and the running costs. The Freelander was returning on average 34mpg whilst the Yeti does 52mpg the difference being attributable to the non-permanent 4x4 of the Skoda and the less powerful engine. The latter may be a problem if you tow something but as I don't it isn't an issue and I'm long past being a boy racer.

Land Rover's 4x4 system is probably the best there is but although I live in the depths of rural Cumbria and value four wheel drive in truth I didn't need it that often hence the Yeti's system is much better for me, I only suffer the reduced fuel consumption when I need to.

Having had a 4x4 previously then the practicalities of the car are what I'm used to although the Yeti has a lot more cubby holes than the Freelander particularly in the boot, I also like the various elastic straps, nets and hooks dotted about the place. One odd thing however is that the 12v socket outlets are permanently live so if you have an electric coolbox remember to unplug it overnight!

As with the Freelander I can only get one set of golf clubs in the boot and that's by taking out the longer clubs, any more and the back seats have to be dropped. Surprisingly I would guess the Yeti's boot space is no less than the Freelander's.

The Yeti SE Plus has satnav as standard and a six CD changer (for my three CDs!) as well as the radio, as a non-techy the operation of all this stuff seems quite intuitive and I don't often have to resort to the manual. One nice touch with the satnav is that the screen darkens if you turn on the sidelights, the Freelander's used to shine brightly at night which was quite a distraction.

All in all a very good car and to be recommended as one of the best in its sector.

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