The company owned by the Volkswagen has already created a new competition with the launch of its one of a kind crossover SUV, the Yeti. The car is available in two drive variants. The entry level is a budget friendly front-wheel-drive petrol version which is powered by the same engine seen in Drive's reigning Car of the Year, the VW Polo 77TSI. The turbocharged 1.2-litre four-cylinder delivers 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque. The car comes in a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission priced similar to most of the premium SUV's in the market.
The higher end model is the 4x4 version fitted with the VW Group's familiar 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 103kW/320Nm. This car comes with the option of six-speed manual or dual-clutch auto transmission. The 103TDI slightly costs more than the two wheel drive. The familiar drive trains have nothing new to offer and the diesel engine and DSG transmission offer smooth and noiseless drive even at high speeds. There is however a bit of lag interrupting proceedings in stop-start traffic. The 4 wheel drive diesel is more robust and responds well under heavy foot. The gears are also nippy and get their power from the pulling power of the engine instead of looking for another cog.
The Yeti is quite present and gives you the on road feel with its high riding stance. Even the corners are not much of a bother and holds well to the ground. The grip is quite sticky and the steering is pin point accurate. On the smooth roads the Yeti rides comfortably and even gulps any lumps on the road quite easily. The suspension seems a bit stretched and feels cranky at smaller bumps. The Yeti for a crossover suv somehow seemed to have forgotten the interiors and there is practically nothing new on the cards. The car is fitted with a modular rear-row of three individual seats that can slide, recline, and even be removed completely that come as a standard for all the variants.
The luggage space of the Yeti like the Tiguan is also small with the rear seats in their most passenger-friendly position and under normal circumstances it has a space of 322 litres in capacity. However, once the seats are flipped and pulled out, you have a huge space of 1665Litres which is not far from the Mitsubishi Outlander's 1691L capacity. The functionality in the cabin is quite good for storage. There is adequate storage in the cabin for loose items in the centre console, and rear passengers also get a small central storage drawer under the rear air-vents.
