Skoda Yeti 4x4 or Subaru XV?

[Ecosseven]

Afternoon folks,

Looking for your thoughts on the above cars. I like a raised driving position and 4WD but don't want anything too big, bulky and heavy. The yeti gets great reviews and my preferred engine choice would probably be the 1.8 petrol motor as I only do around 10-11k a year. Unfortunately these are very rare so may have to settle for the 140PS diesel.

The XV doesn't get a great review in the press but I like the looks and the fact that it's a bit different from the norm. I've only seen two on the road. The XV also has full time 4WD rather than the haldex system most cars in this class use. The diesel engine is rated at 147PS and the car is actually slightly lighter than the Yeti according to official figures.

All the best.

[Johnd52]

I have a Yeti 4x4 170 tdi. 18 months and 30,000 miles. Stops, goes and corners really well and has been back to the dealers once for an annual service. The first car I have had in 40 years where there has been absolutely nothing to raise with the dealer. It is not 'cool' but there is some pride in ownership in the way it does exactly what it should do, without any pretence. Performance can be surprising and can be chipped to 200+bhp quite easily.

[GravelBen]

I've heard good things about the XV from owners.

[rovermorris999]

The 4wd will be much better on the Subaru if you need it. Many years of incremental improvement have gone into it.

[billzeebub]

Subaru

[loskie]

Get a Stan Palmer in Carlisle were excellent, threw me the keys to an XV and sent me out as long as I wanted. I really wanted to like the car as it would be ideal for me.
A bit agricultural and echo e (sp!), I could live with that but quickly ruled it out due to the seats.

I was quite disappointed really and felt quite guilty on return to the dealer that there was no point in having any further discussion with Mike the salesman.

Good dealer experience but not the car for me.

[GravelBen]

loskie said:

quickly ruled it out due to the seats.

Interesting, what was wrong with them? Its a pity if Subaru have dropped the ball in that regard after 20 years of really good seats.

[loskie]

I just found the back rest to be uncomfy. Good thing about being unaccompanied was I could stop and fiddle about with the settings at my leisure. Since that I have bought a 2002 Forester to muck about in and find those seats good.

[MC Bodge]

Skoda Yeti are very popular in The Alps.

[Schtum]

I'd buy the Yeti or a Tiguan but since we've had two Tiguans in a row, I would say that. I see you're in East Central Scotland. We're in the Howe of Fife and I'll happily show you around SWMBO's 63 plate Tiguan Match 177 TDI, if that'd help.

[GravelBen]

loskie said:

I just found the back rest to be uncomfy. Good thing about being unaccompanied was I could stop and fiddle about with the settings at my leisure. Since that I have bought a 2002 Forester to muck about in and find those seats good.

Good info, cheers

I think the perfect Subaru for me would be a bit of a mongrel to be honest - XV with STI engine/drivetrain(DCCD) and Legacy GT interior.

[v8250]

GravelBen said:

Good info, cheers

I think the perfect Subaru for me would be a bit of a mongrel to be honest - XV with STI engine/drivetrain(DCCD) and Legacy GT interior.

Now, Ben, that's just being plain greedy...but I do like your way of thinking.

Earlier this year I bought a 2006 2.5 FXT. I looked at the Yeti 170PS but there was something lacking...and guess it was the sheer grunt factor that only a Subaru can offer. My concern, and that of many others, is that the current line up have all been down tuned to comply with market emissions; which frankly, is mind blowingly boring. So an XV with a 250bhp engine and manual gearbox would be superb...and would take the market to Porsche and some others. Many Subaru Forester owners don't want 150PS with CVT, they want good traditionally/WRC proven symmetrical 4x4 with the power to match..."are you listening Subaru...?"

[csampo]

Parents have an XV, I drive it now and again for one reason or another and am surprised by how much I liked it - especially given the relatively poor reviews it got over here. The Aussie press were much warmer towards it than ours for some reason. It has that traditional Subaru feel to the AWD system and enough power for a utility-type vehicle, but I agree it would be more fun with a little extra poke.