In reply to aultguish:
I’ve not driven the yeti, but have driven cars with the DSG transmission for nearly twenty years now. I’m assuming that all Yeti autos are actually DSGs. Overall, they are excellent boxes and very very good in snow generally.
As with anything though, it depends! I would say mainly on how skilled a driver you are in snow generally and specifically in knowing how to utilise a gearbox to it’s full in exceptionally difficult conditions, and the other main thing is the transmission software of the actual model your driving (DSGs are programmed to individual model so all vary a bit though have many similarities).
You will be aware that the DSG is really an automated manual box with twin clutches. It drives more like an manual than an full automatic so think of it that way when comparing what it can do. It has deceleration through the box for example - unless you have one that has a coasting mode programmed and on! - but differs from a manual, (apart from the more obvious!) in that it has to go up and down through all the gears which can be a limitation in certain extreme conditions.
An average motorist will do at least as well with a DSG in snow if not a lot better than a manual - I say the latter having got stuck in snow with a full auto, but never with an automated manual, nor a manual for that matter.
Pro: ultra quick and smooth gear changes, car matches gear to revs for both up and down shifts therefore less likely to loose it in extreme conditions. Less risk of wheel spin on changes unless too much throttle is used. Automated down change to decelerate are programmed on some models and this means less brakes usage, more control on throttle (but can be a con).
Cons: even with manual over ride control, you can’t change gears when the electronics do not agree*, and have to go through all the gears up and down. *For example you can’t start off in 2nd (unless your model actually has a specific winter mode program that ignores 1st gear starts), can’t change up before a min rev are reached as you can’t slip the clutches, some are programmed to do early down changes of gears to help deceleration without brake use but this makes it harder when revs are higher in low gear when you need to use the throttle for control (c/w low gear/high revs in a full manual and how it drives).
General point which may be relevant to your choice: The boxes are very expensive if they did go wrong, need expensive oil change maintenance usually every 40k miles (unless it is one of the newer ones with the dry plates which I believe is sealed for life), DIY maintenance of the box is not possible due to the complexity and methodology of changing oil.
Overall, DSGs are brilliant and not just in snow. A bonus is if they are connected to a 4x4 system then they will go far with minimal fuss especially with winter tyres on. That and another plus if hill descent was an option on your model, they would be very hard to beat for the majority of drivers. The hill descent btw automatically controls the revs and brakes using ABS for descending in slippery conditions to minimise slipping.
