Skoda Yeti 1.2 turbo vs Subaru XV 2.0i

[triffid]

A couple of years ago I was on this forum about the Yeti but after mulling over the potential problems of maintenance etc in Chiangmai, where I live, I decided not to buy it (& took the safe option of a Pajero). But really the Pajero is too big for my needs and I'm thinking of replacing it with either the XV or the Yeti. Both Skoda and Subaru now have spanking new showrooms and are touting their servicing facilities. I'm assuming the dealer back-up in Chiangmai is now ok. Both have decent warranties. Both vehicles are at the same price of 1.4 million. 

 

The XV's chief advantages seem to be: 4wheel drive, high clearance; its weakness seems to be insufficient torque - overtaking etc.

The Yeti's advantages are its better ride and performance and higher quality interiors.

 

I might go on soft-roads but very rarely - it's the surer grip etc on wet roads that attracts me about the XV's all wheel drive (I recently suffered a scary skid/accident). But the Yeti's more comfortable and quieter ride over distances, especially with zippier overtaking, seems a big plus. (Looks? I like them both. Re-sale? I don't want to take that into account. Comparable alternatives? I've considered some, e.g. CX5, but I prefer these two.)

 

Perhaps people here, especially owners, have comments that might help me choose.

 

 

[frankphuket]

I had a good look at the Yeti 1.2 2 years ago, but in the end for the price the no 4wd and small engine (albeit powerful) made me not go for it.

I am just slightly afraid that those small capacity engine with charger, turbo, etc. will stand the test of time in Thailand with its very high heat.

If Skoda would bring the Yeti 2.0 tdi....in 4Wd then we would have a great contender.

I guess the XV is the saver bet here and has 4Wd.

As you did ditch the CX5 which I believe is the Best at the moment in this segment (have you actually tested one? In white or black they look ok, but agree I prefer the looks of the Yeti or XV too....but in the end looks are not everything)....there is not much alternatives. The new Xtrail is supposed to come quite soon....

The other issue is Skoda Thailand seems to be really slow in everything....look at the website, etc. No new cars or models making it to Thailand.

Is the Octavia Combi already available....I believe it has the nice Diesel in it....could be an option. or a slightly used Mini Cooper S countryman.....;)

 

[triffid]

Thanks, ffrankphuket. We think along some similar lines. 

I want a car that's 4-wheel drive or very well planted on wet roads, even at speed. It should be ok going off road once in a while. It should be comfortable, quiet and brisk in overtaking - for long distance driving. It should be reliable. 

I ruled out the cx4 purely on design grounds -it has a slight wedge profile i.e. a discernible forward leaning slope of the window line - which is apparently a popular design feature but not for me. I'd look very seriously at the new xtrail, but is that imminent, or at least 6 or more months away?

 

I may well get a second car for mainly town driving - it would ideally be a coupë or 3 door and with reliable service support in Chiangmai - although the bmw 116 which is 5 door looks very acceptable to me, with a good price for what it is, and comes with a 5-yr maintenance package.

 

Of course if I find a car which is an all-rounder, would do both jobs, and work out cheaper than two cars I'd be very pleased.

 

The octavia combo tdi is something I'd consider seriously as the all-rounder, but I don't know about its slippery and off-road capabilities.

 

One advantage of getting the Subaru XV is that it's not that expensive and the brand is likely to become better known and therefore if later on a 4-wheel drive Yeti or something else came along I could sell it with less trouble.

[frankphuket]

Resale of the Subaru XV will surely be better and if Skoda would bring the Yeti in 2.0tdi 4wd it would be close to 2m I am certain.

 

I also try always to look for European cars...drive a Golf GTI and a Mini GP myself.

Having said this I was very much impressed with the new Mazda 3 on a test drive and also the CX5. (Have a look at a white or Black one, not the blue).

Me and some friends do feel that the looks are going towards BMW actually, as you mentioned the 116.

 

If you can forego 4Wd then another really nice car for the price is the Volvo V40 or V40 Cross Country (although unfortunately without 4Wd for the later as well). Starting at 1.69 or so close to your budget and really nice interiors, strong powerful engines. I would get this or another GTI ....:).....over the Bimmer any day.

 

I have seen a VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI, second hand on the biggest 2nd hand car website in Thailand. Around 1.5-1.6m, but already 80,000km on it. Nice car though....

 

[mike324]

Stick with subaru for better parts support and more garages will be able to fix it if you happen to be in Bangkok. Subaru will have a better resale value.

 

If you don't mind waiting for parts, go with what you like. Skoda has some good reputations.

[triffid]

Stick with subaru for better parts support and more garages will be able to fix it if you happen to be in Bangkok. Subaru will have a better resale value.

 

If you don't mind waiting for parts, go with what you like. Skoda has some good reputations.

 

Yes, I'm tending towards the Subaru. Maybe next year one will have a better perspective on the various imported options and which ticks all the boxes.

[xen]

 

Stick with subaru for better parts support and more garages will be able to fix it if you happen to be in Bangkok. Subaru will have a better resale value.

 

If you don't mind waiting for parts, go with what you like. Skoda has some good reputations.

 

Yes, I'm tending towards the Subaru. Maybe next year one will have a better perspective on the various imported options and which ticks all the boxes.

 

 

Subaru are indeed very good vehicles but do have  extremely heavy  fuel consumption ,as a general rule across their whole range. A friend of mine has a  Skoda and  gets exceptional fuel mileage in comparison . Maybe it is not a consideration for you and many people who buy Subaru do not buy them for economy . 

[Scotssing]

 

 

Stick with subaru for better parts support and more garages will be able to fix it if you happen to be in Bangkok. Subaru will have a better resale value.

 

If you don't mind waiting for parts, go with what you like. Skoda has some good reputations.

 

Yes, I'm tending towards the Subaru. Maybe next year one will have a better perspective on the various imported options and which ticks all the boxes.

 

 

Subaru are indeed very good vehicles but do have  extremely heavy  fuel consumption ,as a general rule across their whole range. A friend of mine has a  Skoda and  gets exceptional fuel mileage in comparison . Maybe it is not a consideration for you and many people who buy Subaru do not buy them for economy . 

 

When the XV came out Subaru claimed it was more economical than the competitors in N America - I totally agree previous Subarus were not that economical but the XV is supposed to address this issue. On their UK website they claim: 5.5 L/100km extra urban, 8.6 urban, 6.6 combined for the 2.0 Lineartronic petrol engine which I think is the same one as that used in Thailand. Of course manufacturers claims are not totally reliable.