Skoda Yeti 2012 review

If Inspector Gadget was real and drove a car, it would be a Yeti. This is a versatile, Swiss Army knife kind of vehicle that wins on its Tardis dimensions, fun yet frugal manners and no-brainer simplicity.

It's no surprise given this Czech-built car is a product of a nation that is so pragmatic it named its capital city after the word. Only 316 Yetis sold in the first four months of this year. Jeep sold 1052 Compass in the same period. I can't work that out.

VALUE

European cars aren't horrifically expensive to buy or service and Skoda's Yeti proves that with prices matching the Japanese and Koreans. This front-wheel drive version with the baby 1.2-litre engine and dual-clutch auto gearbox is $28,590 - on par with rivals.

But it's big on clever features - masses of storage areas, cool boxes for your drinks, hooks for your shopping bag, cruise control, trip computer and comprehensive safety gear. But extras cost - rear park sensors are dear at $640 (but every SUV should have them as standard) and the signature colour-contrast roof is $390.

DESIGN

Imagine a tissue box with a nose. And wheels. Yeti takes the simplicity of a box and builds the car inside out, punching out the corners from within to maximise passenger and cargo room. The 1665-litre boot capacity (rear seats down) is amazing.

It also takes cues from the quirky Roomster model - which returns in June - to achieve some distinction. The black, soft-feel dashboard is all Volkswagen but the triple bucket rear seats are Skoda-born and allow the Yeti to perform its amazing cargo swallowing act.

The boxed tail makes parking backwards easy but the slanted bonnet and protruding grille mean its guesswork at the front.

TECHNOLOGY

The tiny 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre petrol engine gets help from a turbocharger to claim beaut economy and, under most conditions, lively performance. Skoda uses some pieces from other Volkswagen Group cars - more so the Polo - to make the Yeti and that's good for owners from a parts and repair angle.

However, aside from the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the little beating heart under the bonnet, it's a simple device. The bits used are, however, from the top shelf. Brakes, for example, are four-wheel discs while some rivals fit rear drums.

SAFETY

No surprises here as Yeti gets a five-star crash rating, has seven airbags, comes with a full suite of electronic brake and chassis aids - including a hill holder - but only has an ``adult-size'' temporary spare wheel. The side mirrors are heated (perfect timing for winter) and there's even tie-downs in the boot floor to restrain loads. As said, it would be better with park sensors.

DRIVING

I've buttered you up, haven't I? Well now I'm going to drop you on the floor - where you will stick butter-side down - because all the great things about the Yeti come a little bit unstuck when the right foot is extended. The engine is small and so performance will naturally suffer.

The DSG box is generally ultra responsive but occasionally gets brain-fade between cogs, usually when you're coasting and want to quickly accelerate. Though the engine's 77kW is fine when there's just you aboard, or perhaps one passenger, it struggles when asked to haul more.

Given that this is a family car that's liable to be loaded, it may need patience and/or hard work for the driver to keep it on the boil. That undoubtedly will affect its miserly average of 7.0 L/100km fuel - albeit 95RON - economy.

Regardless, the baby Yeti is a lot of fun. It's only front-wheel drive but holds the road like a limpet, steers accurately and even when pushed hard, the engine is pleasantly muted.

The tyres can rumble on coarse bitumen and ride comfort tends to firm - though the seats are soft - but it's still better than many small passenger cars.

VERDICT

Appearances can deceive - this is one sensible, practical and enjoyable car for a lot of seasons.