Peugeot 2008 Shoot-Up (Part 3)

Skoda Yeti

The brilliant Skoda Yeti really needs no introduction. Our Car of the Year in 2010 has won numerous road tests and still sets the compact crossover benchmark.

Even now, nearly three years after its debut, the bold Yeti stands out from the crowd. With its Tonka toy-like lines, raised ride height and chunky details, it looks more like a traditional off-roader than its rivals. And our eco-friendly GreenLine version’s smaller 16-inch alloy wheels (the standard SE gets 17-inch rims) and 25mm lower ride height can’t diminish the Yeti’s considerable visual appeal.

Even now, nearly three years after its debut, the bold Yeti stands out from the crowd

There’s similar no-nonsense approach inside, where you’ll find a slickly designed and logically laid-out dashboard. The high driving position gives a commanding view of the road, while the robust fit and finish means the Skoda should stand up well to the rough and tumble of family life.

And although it can’t quite match the Peugeot for standard equipment, the Yeti still comes with plenty of desirable gadgets. Dual-zone climate control, cruise control and parking sensors are included, as is a six-CD multi-changer. The only significant omission is Bluetooth connectivity, which isn’t even an option – you have to upgrade to the $30,998 Elegance model in your pictures if you want to make hands-free calls at the wheel.

The high driving position gives a commanding view of the road

Fortunately, there are few complaints when it comes to space. Passenger in the back get more head and legroom than in either the Countryman or 2008, while the individual rear seats slide and recline for extra comfort. There’s also loads of useful storage, including a lidded cubby in the dash and huge door bins.

The Yeti’s boot is the biggest here, too, with a healthy 416-litre capacity. When you tumble the Varioflex rear seats, forward, the available space increases to 1,580 liters. You can also remove the seats completely – although they’re quite heavy and cumbersome to free up all estate car-rivaling 1,760 liters.

The Yeti’s boot is the biggest here, too, with a healthy 416-litre capacity

Near touches include heavy duty shopping bag hooks, a 12V power supply and a handy elasticated luggage net.

On the road, the Skoda’s composed, car-like handling really impresses. Direct and well weight steering, strong grip and excellent body control combine to make it the most fun car of our trio to drive on a twinsty back road. However, the trade-off for this impressive agility is a firm low-speed ride – it just can’t match the 2008 for comfort.

That’s not the only weak link in the Yeti’s armor – the 104 bhp, 1.6-litre TDI engine meant it couldn’t match its rivals at the track. Not only was the car slower from 0-60mph, it trailed during the in-gear tests, too. And in the real world, you’ll need to work the five-speed manual gearbox hard to keep up with the Skoda’s two more powerful opponents.

Still, what this car lacks in performance, it makes up for with 47.5mpg economy and solid 46.3 per cent residual values. And while it has the highest claimed CO₂ emissions here at 119g/km – it’s still a cheaper option for company car drivers than the Countryman.

Skoda Yeti technical specs

·         Price: $28,358

·         Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 104bhp

·         0-60mph: 12.2 seconds

·         Test economy: 47.5mpg/10.5mpl

·         CO₂ : 119g/km

·         Annual road tax: $45

·         Why? Our car of the Year 2010 sets the class benchmark. With its tough looks, versatile interior and car-like driving experience, the Yeti delivers the best of all worlds.

Verdict

Despite arriving late to the compact crossover party, Peugeot has made a really strong first impression with its strikingly styled 2008.

The newcomer stands out from the crowd, is good to drive and, in top-spec Feline trim, comes brimming with kit as standard. Better still, its cabin is roomy and slickly designed – and as a result, the 2008 beats the MINI.

The Countryman has an upmarket image, excellent build quality and exceptionally low running costs, but it’s hard to ignore the high price and miserly equipment. It also has the smallest boot and suffers from a firm ride.

So has the 2008 done enough to topple the Yeti? Not quite. Even after three years, the Skoda still sets the standard in this class, thanks to its brilliant driving experience, robust build quality and hugely versatile interior. It’s also well-equipped and very cost-effective to run.