SKODA YETI CROSSOVER READER REVIEWS

My car

We have owned a Yeti for three years now (and have just exchanged it for another!)

Initially, the care felt tight and smooth, but gradually over time, it loosened off and ultimately, after three years had quite a few rattles, especially with the condition or the roads, which seem to be full of potholes. Having said this, the noise was nothing exceptional and we have owned new cars which were worse from day one!

On the road, the Yeti feels very responsive, acceleration is sufficient for most overtakes and top speed is more than sufficient for todays roads and traffic. Braking is very good and ride is reasonably comfortable.

On a long journey, the seating can be a little uncomfortable, but my main reason for choosing the Yeti in the first place was for the driver's seating position - before this, we owned a saloon and couldn't drive more than 100 miles without stopping and stretching my back (I am only 6 foot tall!) The seating position of the Yeti allows me to at least double that distance before stopping, although after 200 miles, my wife does begin to complain! One of the advantages of the Yeti is it has a height adjustable passengers seat as well as the drivers seat (unlike some of the rivals we tested).

In the three years and 30,000 miles we've had the first Yeti, reliability has been second to none, although missing guards on the rear wings necessitated a respray under warranty due to paint chipping.

My car

Having owned this car since December 2011 I have mixed reviews, on the plus side very comfortable driving position perky engine and economical could do with a 6th gear for motorway driving. Disappointed with the ride quality very unsettled over all types of surfaces, quite a few cabin rattles vibration coming through the peddles. The most alarming problem I have with this car is the paintwork , I have counted nine stone chips already on the bonnet and on the drivers and rear passengers doors,wish I had gone for the Hyundai ix35 now.

My car

Bought this car after owning a C-max. Did look at Ford Kuga which looks fantastic on the outside but was like sitting in a C-max - the wife couldn't tell the difference. Also VW Tiguan - too expensive and the Freelander - too big. The Yeti is just about perfect in size, its not too big to be branded a full blown, fuel burning 4x4. The outside is a little bit boxy (postman pat style) but you drive the car from the inside. Its got all the latest mod-cons, although I would have liked a sunroof. Driving it is a pleasure and I don't get tired on long journeys. My only complaint if any, is that the bonnet is a little light and because you can see it from the cockpit you can see it vibrate, I kept thinking the latch was up for the first month or so. It might just be the shiny colour and the reflections cos the bonnet certainly feels sturdy when stood still. The engine is strong, and feels even better after its first 18k mile service. Long journey MPG can reach high 50's if cruising. Average 48mpg to work and back on A roads at 40-50mph. Total average with some town driving is 44mpg. I tend to stick between 1000 and 2500rpm but every month or so I drive home in a low gear the clear the soot out. Cetainly feels better after. Problems encounterd:- Xenon lights not working together - control unit change Bluetooth unit changed TWICE ??? Skoda dealer very slow to respond, weeks to get a booking slot. Summer tyres shocking in the snow, trying all-season tyres this

My car

Disappointing, costly and over-rated, sold after only 10 months due to continuous problems resulting from poor build quality, bad design and complacent unhelpful dealers.

Failed five times and needed to be towed in to dealers twice. Two breakdowns caused by defective immobiliser. Diesel pump failed after only 200 miles, supplying dealer tried to blame me for misfuelling (they filled the car). During ownership engine consumed a litre of oil every 1000 miles, that adds about £8 to the cost of each tank of fuel. Vast numbers of niggly faults, especially with electrics, we had five door mirror switches. I became resigned to the headlamp washers never working.

Very poor ride, rear seat passengers complained of nausea after about 10 miles, car bounces and wallows on all but smoothest of road surfaces. Engine delivers luke-warm performance but is rough and noisy, especially at normal dual carriageway speeds, add this to too much wind and tyre noise to make this car especially tiresome on journeys.

Practicality no better than OK, strange seat arrangement just adds to the cabin rattles and the reality is that with four passengers the boot is too small for their luggage, especially if you have the (essential) spare wheel.

Dealers unable to comprehend real costs to business of unreliability and the constant failure to fix things first time. Half a day labour to replace a bulb is plain madness!

I must place the Yeti down there with the worst and most costly cars I have eve