Skoda: Hairy option? Not this Yeti

The Yeti could cement Skoda's name in New Zealand as it fits our driver profile. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Skoda is still struggling to make its mark on the highly competitive new-car market, and to persuade punters the cars really are as good as you'd expect from the VW group.

Yet the Yeti could make great strides for the brand because a compact four-paw family wagon that handles well on-road, yet isn't fazed when the tarmac runs out or surfaces get slippy, ideally fits New Zealand's driver profile.

What's new?
The Yeti has combined bits from the VW Group parts bin rather than lifting wholesale chunks. So the platform is a blend of the Octavia, current-platform Golf 4Motion and unique elements, engines are shared and so are transmissions.

The Haldex clutch is used in the Octavia, Superb and Golf, driving mainly the front but able to apportion drive to individual wheels, with between two and 45 per cent of urge to each rear.

Clearly the body is new, and it's handsome. The big glasshouse is not as OTT as the Roomster's but still airy; the off-road hints just sufficient to impart visual solidity.

The company line
Skoda NZ can't source an auto until mid-year. As autos make up 90 per cent of the segment, the few $49,990 manuals here so far are dealer demo cars until the six-speed DSG arrives in July, at an expected $2500 premium.

NZ will get four-by-fours only, though they're not intended for hard-core bush-bashing. The off-road system with its hill assist, off-road-tuned ABS, ASR and EDS is available only as an option - though at $200 most buyers will take it.

What we say
The Yeti is a truly versatile family car. Lots of seat configurations include the ability to remove or shift seats sideways.

A spare wheel cuts boot space over Euro cars, leaving anything from 322 to 1655 litres of luggage space, with rails and bag/luggage hooks back there too. The cabin is what you'd expect from the VW group, sensibly laid out and understated in design. Specification is reasonable, too, with seven airbags standard, and there's an options list to ensure you pay for only what you need; an extra two airbags at $500, Bluetooth or a front parking aid at $700 each, and so on.

On the road
The Yeti is unexpectedly agile on-road, happy to be punted along at a surprising clip with plenty of grip, agile steering and limited body roll. Indeed, it feels more like a hatch than a soft-roader. The payback comes in the rough when the firmer suspension imparts a more jolting ride. But this car will spend most time on seal, and its competence there is worth the payback on those few occasions the Yeti's owners will discover its better-than-expected (within the limited ground clearance and wheel travel) off-road talents. We took the cars across a typically hilly New Zealand sheep farm, and found it more capable.

Why you'll buy one
You want a stylish four-paw family wagon with a relatively compact footprint, a Euro rep and good on-road handling.

Why you won't
You're a conservative who'll never trust a modern car with this badge; you think anything with four-wheel drive should look more aggressive.