Model tested: Skoda Yeti SE
Price: £21,710
Date tested: December 2009
Road tester: Adrian Hearn

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 88%
The Skoda Yeti is the latest in a line of niche-busting crossoves - but is it a jack of all trades and master of none?

1. Looks
The Yeti looks like a bulked-up Roomster with its chunky bodywork, sculpted bonnet and 17-inch alloys. Skoda has marked out the Nissan Qashqai as its main rival but the two couldn't look any more different.
8/10

2. Looks Inside
The moment you open one of the solid-feeling doors you'll be amazed at the high build quality of the Yeti. The interior is plain but classy; you'd think you were in something much more costly.
10/10

3. Practicality
This is where the Yeti excels. There are over 20 seating combinations; all seats can be individually folded while the middle one can be removed completely. The boot's 322-litre capacity can be extended to 1,485 litres.
9/10

4. Ride and Handling
Skoda bills the Yeti as having 4x4 benefits but hatchback practicality. There's plenty of body roll but the ride is excellent, soaking up poor road surfaces despite the 17-inch alloys. The six-speed gearbox is slick too.
8/10

5. Performance
The Yeti is available with 2-litre diesel engines in 110bhp, 140bhp and 170bhp guises. In 110bhp front-wheel drive form, the Yeti does 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds (12.2 for the 4x4) and manages 110mph (108mph). The 140bhp and 170bhp 4x4 models cover 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds and 8.4 seconds and top out at 118mph and 125mph respectively.
8/10

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6. Running Costs
The 2.0TDi is the model to choose for low running costs. The front-wheel drive 110bhp averages 52.3mpg and the 4x4 46.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 140g/km and 159g/km respectively. The 140bhp and 170bhp models average 47.1mpg and 46.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 157g/km and 159g/km respectively.
8/10

7. Reliability
Skoda is well known for its reliability and the engines and transmissions are tried and tested across the VW group; with fantastic build quality too, you're unlikely to have many issues with bits falling off.
10/10

8. Safety
The Yeti has a five-star EuroNCAP rating; base models get six airbags with an additional driver's knee airbag on S, SE and Elegance models.
10/10

9. Equipment
All Yetis get air-conditioning, trip computer and front electric windows; posher versions also have ESP, parking sensors, dual-zone air-con and cruise control along with Bluetooth, bi-xenon headlights and heated front seats.
8/10

10. X-Factor
The Yeti is one of Skoda's finest achievements. It's practical and safe, has an amazing build quality and is an environmentally-conscious alternative to more traditional 4x4s.
9/10