Skoda Yeti: first drive - What is it?

What is it?
Part MPV, part estate car and – with four-wheel drive and a trick off-roading system – part SUV, the Yeti aims to attract buyers who want the space and practicality of an Octavia with the attitude and high driving position of a small SUV.

At just over 4.2 metres long, it sits somewhere between cars like the Kia Soul and Suzuki SX4 on the one hand and the Qashqai and CR-V on the other. Its wide body (almost 25mm more than an Octavia) and tall roof ensure it fits the bill as a five-seat family car, though.

Familiar Skoda design cues include a big chrome grille around the brand's winged arrow badge, and front lamp clusters featuring 'Yeti' script. The front foglamps make the car seem to have two bulbous eyes, and there's a big lower grille above an underbody protection plate.

There's no side cladding to give it the Octavia Scout's air of toughness, and no stepped roof as in the Roomster, but dark panels in the rear three quarter panels make the back window appear to run around the sides. A wide tailgate cuts into a stout plastic bumper, and there's more underbody protection below.