Skoda Yeti review
The Skoda Yeti is a quirky, lovable crossover that combines boxy charm with impressive practicality, making it a cult classic for families who dare to be different.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
7th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
Let’s be honest, most cars these days tend to blend into the background. But the Skoda Yeti? It stands proud, chest out, refusing to look like anything else on the road. It was one of the very first crossovers, mixing the chunky, rugged looks of an SUV with the sensible footprint of a family hatchback. And people absolutely loved it. Why? Because it’s just so useful. That distinctive boxy shape isn’t just for show; it creates a surprisingly airy interior with loads of headroom. It’s a car that doesn’t take itself too seriously but takes its job—getting you and your family around safely and comfortably—very seriously indeed. Whether you’re doing the school run or heading off for a muddy weekend adventure, the Yeti feels like a trusty companion that’s always up for the challenge.
Pros
- Unique, characterful styling that stands out from the crowd
- Surprisingly spacious interior with plenty of headroom
- Fun and engaging to drive, with a solid, planted feel
Cons
- The boot is a little smaller than some newer rivals
- Diesel engines can be a bit noisy and unrefined
- The interior tech feels a bit dated compared to modern Skodas
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Hop inside the Yeti and you’ll find a dashboard that prioritises common sense over flashy gimmicks. It’s all very logical and easy to use, with chunky buttons and dials that you can operate without taking your eyes off the road. While the design might look a little plain compared to the spaceship-like interiors of some modern SUVs, everything feels incredibly solid and well-put-together.
Most models come with a touchscreen infotainment system. On older models, this might look a bit basic by today’s standards, but it does the job perfectly well. If you go for a post-2014 facelift model, you’ll likely get a slightly more modern system with Bluetooth and DAB radio. It’s functional, robust, and built to last—much like the car itself.
Comfort
Thanks to its tall, upright stance, getting in and out of the Yeti is a breeze—no stooping required. Once you’re in, the driving position is excellent. You sit high up with a commanding view of the road, and the large windows mean visibility is fantastic, making parking much less stressful.
The seats are supportive and comfortable, even on long journeys. The ride is generally smooth, soaking up bumps well, although it can feel a little firm on models with larger alloy wheels. It’s a relaxing place to be, with plenty of light flooding into the cabin to keep things feeling airy.
Quality
Skoda has a reputation for building tough cars, and the Yeti is no exception. The interior materials might not be the plushiest you’ll ever touch, but they feel durable and ready to handle sticky fingers, muddy boots, and everything else family life throws at them. The switches and controls have a reassuring weight to them, giving you the confidence that this is a car built to go the distance.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is where that boxy shape really pays off. The Yeti offers excellent headroom for everyone, so even tall adults won’t be brushing their hair against the ceiling. Legroom in the back is generous enough for two adults to sit comfortably. There is a middle seat, but it’s a bit narrow, so it’s best reserved for children or shorter trips.
Storage around the cabin is good, with plenty of cubbies, door bins, and cup holders to keep your bits and bobs tidy.
Boot space
The boot offers 416 litres of space. While that’s not class-leading—it’s a bit smaller than a Nissan Qashqai, for example—the square shape makes it very usable. Because there’s no awkward lip to lift things over, loading heavy shopping bags or a pushchair is nice and easy.
Versatility
The Yeti has a secret weapon called the ‘VarioFlex’ seating system. This clever feature allows you to slide the rear seats forwards and backwards individually to prioritise legroom or boot space. You can even remove the rear seats completely. Do that, and you open up a van-like 1,760 litres of space. It transforms the Yeti from a family car into a serious load-lugger capable of swallowing bulky furniture or camping gear with ease.
Driving
Driving experience
Don’t let the tall, boxy look fool you—the Yeti is genuinely good fun to drive. It feels much more like a hatchback than a cumbersome SUV. The steering is precise and gives you plenty of confidence in corners, where the car stays surprisingly flat with very little body roll.
It feels grippy and secure, especially if you opt for a model with four-wheel drive (4x4). While most drivers will be fine with the standard front-wheel-drive version, the 4x4 models are brilliant if you live in the countryside or want extra peace of mind in winter weather. It’s a car that feels stable, safe, and planted on the road.
Performance
There’s a wide range of engines to choose from. For petrol fans, the 1.2-litre TSI is a surprisingly punchy little engine that’s great for town driving. If you need more power, there’s a 1.4-litre or even a 1.8-litre TSI on older 4x4 models.
If you do lots of motorway miles or towing, the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines are the way to go. They offer plenty of pulling power (torque), making overtaking easy. You can choose between manual gearboxes or the smooth DSG automatic, depending on your preference.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
The Yeti is generally quite affordable to run. The popular 2.0-litre diesel engines are the efficiency champions. If you pick the lower-powered (109bhp) two-wheel-drive version, you can see fuel economy figures over 60mpg in ideal conditions. The petrol engines are decent too, with the 1.2-litre capable of managing around 50mpg.
Because the engines are relatively efficient, CO2 emissions are reasonable, which helps keep road tax costs manageable. It’s a sensible choice that won’t cost the earth to keep on the road.
Value for money
Skoda has always been about offering great value, and the Yeti is a prime example. It was competitively priced when new, and it remains a smart buy on the used market. You get a lot of car—and a lot of character—for your money. Because the Yeti has a bit of a cult following, it holds its value quite well, which is good news when it comes time to sell or trade it in later down the line.
Reliability & Warranty
The Yeti has a fantastic reputation for reliability. It consistently scored highly in owner satisfaction surveys when it was new, often beating much more expensive premium rivals. It’s a tough, dependable car. From new, it came with a three-year warranty, so most used examples will now be out of manufacturer cover, but its strong track record should give you plenty of confidence.
Safety
Safety features
The Skoda Yeti is a safe place for you and your family. When it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP back in 2009, it was awarded the maximum five-star rating. It comes with plenty of airbags and stability control as standard to help keep you safe. While it might lack some of the very latest high-tech driver aids found on brand-new cars, it’s fundamentally a solid and secure vehicle.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Yeti trim lineup changed a bit over the years, especially after the 2014 facelift when it split into two styles: the standard Yeti (for the city) and the Yeti Outdoor (with rugged plastic bumpers for a tougher look).
- S: The entry-level trim. It comes with the basics like air conditioning, electric front windows, and alloy wheels.
- SE: A popular sweet spot. It adds dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and a better stereo system.
- SE L (formerly Elegance): The luxury choice. It adds heated leather seats, bi-xenon headlights, and upgraded infotainment.
- Laurin & Klement (L&K): The top-of-the-range special edition, packed with every toy imaginable, including a panoramic sunroof and park assist.
Engines
- 1.2 TSI Petrol: A small but peppy engine with around 109bhp. Great for town and lighter loads.
- 1.4 TSI Petrol: A stronger petrol engine with around 148bhp, often found on 4x4 models.
- 1.8 TSI Petrol: A powerful option found on older 4x4 models.
- 2.0 TDI Diesel: The workhorse of the range. Available with various power outputs (usually 109bhp, 138bhp/148bhp, or 168bhp). The lower-powered versions are great for economy, while the higher-powered ones are perfect for towing and 4x4 driving.
Most engines are available with a manual gearbox or the quick-shifting DSG automatic.