The Skoda Yeti Has Been Killed Off By The New, Less Quirky Karoq

The loveable and eccentric Yeti is being replaced by an all-new, potentially less interesting MQB creation
The Skoda Yeti Has Been Killed Off By The New, Less Quirky Karoq

The Yeti isn’t exactly prime CT fodder, but we’ve always had a soft spot for it. Practical cars like the Yeti are often generic and rarely interesting, but this Skoda has always been delightfully quirky, well packaged, rugged and rather loveable.

It’s a borderline cult car, but it’ll soon be no more, replaced with the car you see above: the Karoq. Yep, first Kodiaq, now Karoq - we’re thinking names ending on the letter q is Skoda’s new thing for SUVs (Karoq is “derived from the language of Alaska’s indigenous people,” says Skoda). But our worries about the Karoq go further than the loss of the adorable Yeti name. Why? Because the recipe doesn’t sound as interesting.

So long Yeti, it's been fun...
So long Yeti, it's been fun...

It’s an MQB-based affair, and is best thought of as Skoda’s take on the VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Judging from the first prototype drives that are coming out in the motoring media, it doesn’t sound like there’s a huge amount going on to differentiate the crossover from its VW Group cousins.

While official images released by Skoda show a partially disguised Karoq, it’s pretty clear it’s a much more conventional shape than the Yeti. A little like a Kodiaq and a Seat Ateca had an MQB-shaped baby.

The Skoda Yeti Has Been Killed Off By The New, Less Quirky Karoq

We’ll reserve further judgement until we first drive one, of course, but the Karoq does get the clever Varioflex seating from the outgoing Yeti. It’s bigger too, so should be significantly roomier - just expect much of the Yeti’s utilitarian nature to go out of the window as Skoda aims to move further upmarket.

On the engine front, the Karoq gets VW Group’s brilliantly smooth new 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, along with a 1.0-litre petrol three-pot, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels.

It’ll go on sale later this year. For now, we’ll be mourning the impending loss of the affable, dependable Yeti…

Sponsored Posts

Comments

Nissan 420sx

Tbh I never really was a fan of the Yeti. It basically was a lifted, uglier VW Caddy with a Skoda badge.. But that’s only my opinion 😂

04/28/2017 - 11:53 |
10 | 10

It doesn’t share much with a caddy, the caddie has a torsion beam rear axle and is very primitive, the Yeti was the best handling car in its class, and it’s pretty much a MK6 Golf on stilts.
I know, I’ve had 3 of them.

04/28/2017 - 12:17 |
4 | 0
BV86_OFISHAL (AUDM Fanboy)

The Yeti will always be remembered for being able to have a helicopter land on it.

04/28/2017 - 11:53 |
236 | 0

And protecting JC from getting decapitated.

04/28/2017 - 12:02 |
142 | 0

This is the only thing I know about the Skoda Yeti. Oh, and that you can actually get a tattoo in the back.

05/01/2017 - 05:49 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Awwww. I’m from the U.S, and when I went to the U.K. a while ago they were so cute and funny looking (in a good way). Nowadays, I feel like so many of Volkswagen’s car look like they were designed with a ruler and they get sharper and more aggressive looking at every generation. Besides, why did they get rid of the name Yeti? That’s so fun to say and now they gave it another stupid name that ends with a q and that no one can say except for the people who made up the name. Skoda, in my opinion has been going down a awful path in terms of styling lately.

04/28/2017 - 12:00 |
16 | 2
Freddie Skeates

Yawn, this Kar’s not exactly going to Roq anyone’s world

04/28/2017 - 12:17 |
4 | 0
Akashneel

Well, I love the Yeti so fxck my life!

04/28/2017 - 12:21 |
8 | 2

[DELETED]

04/28/2017 - 12:29 |
0 | 12
German Perfectionist

‘Karoq’. You serious? Yeti was way cooler

04/28/2017 - 12:28 |
30 | 0

Coming up next: “Dafoq”

04/28/2017 - 17:27 |
62 | 2

We’ll always miss the Yeti. This new one looks like a VW. Skoda built unique cars. Now they’re becoming VWs.

04/29/2017 - 07:27 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Good news Indian CTzens if you buy a yeti right now we can enjoy the YETIness.

04/28/2017 - 13:03 |
2 | 4
German Perfectionist

‘Less Quirky’ - DougDeMuro is sad now…

04/28/2017 - 13:05 |
48 | 0
Dotzent

Meh, another generic mini SUV…

04/28/2017 - 13:43 |
0 | 2

It has the size of a audi Q7. In europe it is called the kodiaq and it drives really well. It was launched here last month

05/01/2017 - 08:37 |
0 | 0
TheMindGarage

But I thought the Kodiaq was the equivalent of the Ateca and Tiguan. WTF is going on?!?

04/28/2017 - 15:54 |
0 | 0