It has been about a month since reciving the Snowmonster, so here is a summary of my subjective impressions:

1600 miles (2600 km) in mixed driving, a few long trips, but mostly rather short and local. No real off-road, but plenty of ****ty winter surfaces. ( I just have to see forum clean up the language again ) Maximum speed achieved around 90 MPH/ 150 km/hr ( shhh....don't tell)

Previous vehicle: Octavia II combi 2.0 TDI PD. 140 Hp. 4 years and 120,000 km.

Generally the Yeti is a class act. it is very poised under many different driving situations, more than powerful enough for most things, handy in tight quarters and very comfortable and very quiet, even with winter tyres. It is not as sporty as the Octy, and does not have as much room - except in the two front seats.

Handling is superb and very predictable. The Haldex system works flawlessly and mostly without indicating any shift in power to the rear axle, except no whellspin and no ESP indications when accelerating in sloppy conditions. When you get out into marginal traction conditions, the workings of the Haldex combined with the ESP givs you clear indications that "'nuff 's enough", so you can recover easily. The off-road function is simply amazingly good on hills with very icy surfaces - both up and down. It is almost like it just adds glue to the tires and gets you going in places where hard core off-road vehicles need some dramatic action.

High speed motoring is a breeze, 1500 rpm in 5th results in 65 km/hr and in 6th 80 km/hr. Up to around 140 km/hr, it is very quiet and normal voice communication is very easy. Higher speeds have not been achieved for any period of time, but will happen naxt month on our annual trek to Costa del Sol. I would expect very comfortable cruisng down thrhough Germany at the normal pace of arund 160 -180 km/hr with enough power left over not to get in the way.

The 170 HP CR engine is quite different from the PD in the Octy. In the PD, the power came on as a kick in the butt, but here, it is more modulated and lasts longer. Driving style will have to be different, but there is plenty of Oomph there. The PD tended to run out of enthusiasm after the 3000 rpm level, but the CR just keeps going. Crúising at 160 km/hr in 6th seems to be just at the sweet spot around 3000 rpm - not really feasible here in DK, but should be awesome in Germany.

Of the details, the Columbus is good and very easily read on the road. The voice commentary is nice and brief without all the additional polite phrases you do not need. The touch screen works well and the set-up is logical and natural to use. The telephone inadequacy was solved with a Parrot, which wa cheaper than adding to the Columbus and gives a very clear hands-off communication over the telephone with the dual directional microphone mounted in the shaded area above the rear view mirror.

It took a while to get the driving position and wheel adjustment to function well. I ended up with the seat a little lower than maximum and the steeing whell low, but far away. I like this position - probably from watching Stirling Moss waaaay back in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Lateral support is not as good as in the Octy, but adequate. In the Octy, I found one setting and never changed it - here i can change the seat adjustment and get comfortable in different positions for longer drives.

Fuel comsumption figures are probably not quite fair as yet, but are between 6 and 7 litres/100 km. Cold mornings and short drives take a lot of fuel.

There have been no DPF problem indications.

There are only a few problem areas I have been aware of:

Xenon light failure indication - covered in another post. A little squeek in opening the boot - probably a dab of grease on the airstrut will resolve this, and a little exhaust-like smell on some occasions. I do not know if the latter is my sensitive nose or just imagination.

The decision to by the Yeti and in this configuration was just to get something diffeent from the perfect Octy 2.0 PD Combi I had driven for 4 years. It was bought as a "last car" as I was about to retire - and still am, but just do not seem to get around to it. I am pleased with the Yeti, and if necessary, I am sure it will do for a lot of years.

Sounds like it ticks all the boxes for you, well done

I would agree with the OP. But I would also add that I hate looking at the bonnet virbrating when sitting at the lights........Well pleased with mine.

I would agree with the OP. But I would also add that I hate looking at the bonnet virbrating when sitting at the lights........Well pleased with mine.

I noticed that on the demo 140 HP 2.0, but have not seen it on mine.

BTW, idle indicates 800 rpm - lower than the demo.

I would agree with the OP. But I would also add that I hate looking at the bonnet virbrating when sitting at the lights........Well pleased with mine.

Reference the vibrating bonnet, yes mine does this both idling and sometimes on the move too. I think it depends on colour as to how noticeable this type of thing will be.

Also remember with many modern cars you can't see much if any of the bonnet anyway, so what the bonnet might be doing could be a long past renewed acquaintance. I remember at the end of the 90's my dad had an XJ6 with a similar sculpted and fairly flat bonnet which did the same thing.

TP

A little squeek in opening the boot - probably a dab of grease on the airstrut will resolve this, and a little exhaust-like smell on some occasions. I do not know if the latter is my sensitive nose or just imagination.

Thanks for an excellent review Agerbundsen.

The little squeak is a more creek with me on the LH side (your drivers side), tried lubricating struts and hinges to no avail. Something for the dealer to look at when they have her back in for another go at the dash, weather and my health permitting (on sick leave at the mo :() next week.

Also noticed an unusual exhaust gas smell particularly during the colder temperatures; put this down to the DPF as I have not had a vehicle with one of these contraptions before.

Regards,

TP

edit typo

Edited 7 January, 201016 yr by The Plumber

Good review, Agerbundsen. I agree with all your findings. Not noticed the vibrating bonnet yet, I'll have a look tomorrow.

I gave one of my guys a lift home this evening and he asked if there were any bad points about the Yeti (they're bored at work listening about all its good points!). The only thing I could think of was that the door mirrors and A pillars are a bit restrictive when trying to see round but with more miles under the paws I'm getting used to that.

Although that is a minus point (the minus point!), I think the mirrors do a good job particularly when reversing so I can forgive them! :yes:

Great report there, thanks Agerbundsen!

Brilliant report, very honest and very encouraging. I look forward to the sequel!

Thanks for an excellent review Agerbundsen.

Also noticed an unusual exhaust gas smell particularly during the colder temperatures; put this down to the DPF as I have not had a vehicle with one of these contraptions before.

edit typo

Twice now I have noticed a strong smell of "burning rubber" around the rear wheel arches. Thought I had left the handbrake on the first time but, when it happened again, I took the Yeti in to the dealers for a check up. Nothing found but the problem was noted. There was no obvious reason for the smell occuring except that there may have been some material touching the exhaust at some hot point. Or it could have been the DPF.

Both times the rear brake disks were cool to the touch.

Edited 7 January, 201016 yr by Terfyn

Good review, Agerbundsen. I agree with all your findings. Not noticed the vibrating bonnet yet, I'll have a look tomorrow.

I gave one of my guys a lift home this evening and he asked if there were any bad points about the Yeti (they're bored at work listening about all its good points!). The only thing I could think of was that the door mirrors and A pillars are a bit restrictive when trying to see round but with more miles under the paws I'm getting used to that.

Although that is a minus point (the minus point!), I think the mirrors do a good job particularly when reversing so I can forgive them! :yes:

I do not have any issues with the A pillar or the outside mirrors, not with water from the windshield on the sidewindows either. I do have a little issue with the inside mirror getting in the way on a right hand turn (Left hand drive), but then I had the same on the Octy. In the Yeti, it is a little easier to duck and see below the mirror. As the mirro is positioned to get the best possible view of the rear, I do not see it could be positioned differently, so have not mentioned it. I like to sit high in the car, so that makes it a little worse. If you lower the seat an inch or so, the problem goes away.