Car review: Skoda Yeti

All interesting cars bring with them the power of suggestion which outweighs the fact that they are just boxes on wheels which get you from here to there with varying degrees of comfort and efficiency.

And what the Yeti suggests is this: that it's a modern, exhaustively designed and engineered alternative to the traditional family hatchback that brims with originality and aesthetic attitude.

It is, in fact, a compact capsule of artfully honed good taste.

The Yeti offers the ideal balance between family orientated practicality and rufty tufty 4x4 styling, so it's a real 'crossover' vehicle. There's a choice of either two or four wheel drive and either diesel or petrol power.

The Yeti looks terrific,of course. You can see that. Bold yet approachable is how Skoda describe it, claiming that the look imparts a feeling of solidity and safety without seeming bulky or intimidating.

It is a sensible compromise for those who want utility without ugliness, capacity without excessive volume and versatility without vulgarity.

It will take you where you want to go anytime at all with a minimum of fuss and an admirable injection of style with a 'feel good' factor that only a well considered design can provide.

Roomy

Inside, the Yeti is designed to make the most of the available space. There's a bright roomy feel that strikes an excellent balance between practicality and comfort and the cabin architecture displays real substance with clean lines and essential simplicity - and it's all beautifully assembled.

There's definitely a strong feeling of well-being and all is fine with the Yeti's lifestyle skills...

At the rear, there's Skodas innovative Varioflex seating that allows the seats to be moved forwards or backwards, reclined individually, rolled up or completely removed.

What's more, rear passengers have a great view out thanks to seats that are mounted higher than those in the front. The test car was fitted the optional power operated panoramic sunroof that gives you a feeling of being in your conservatory.

At the wheel you enjoy comfort thanks to a shapely seat and a range of adjustment to suit all, from the smallest Lilliputian to The Incredible Hulk.

A high seating position provides a sweeping panorama across to the horizon - good for heading off the lunatic motorist at the pass and ideal for disclosing the beauty of our nations landscape.

While the off road capabilities of this two wheel drive version are not those of the four wheel drive variant, the ample ground clearance gives it more capability than your average hatchback.

I can confidently say that if Napoleon had owned one of these at Waterloo he most certainly would not have got stuck in his wellingtons.

Equipment levels are high on the 1.2 TSI 105bhp SE trim level version which is priced at £17,995. Extras like Sat Nav., silver roof rails and that panoramic sunroof brought the price of the test Yeti to a rather high £20,450.

1.2 litre engine

'Shocking!' I hear you say. 'A 1.2 litre petrol engine?' 'A chap could have a 10 litre V16 for that sort of money'. It must be a Government conspiracy to emasculate our motors!

Well, I'm pleased to report that it is indeed 'shocking' - but in the most surprisingly positive way. The engine is a gold nugget and a willing and lusty servant that whizzes you along at disgraceful velocities.

Turbocharged and on steroids its powerband is broad and delivery is seamless. With oodles of torque it transported three jolly motoring journalists to an event with such surprising ease that one of that number refused to believe it was just a 1.2 litre (And he's the 'Flash Gordon' who does a lot of racing.).

Top speed is an easy 110mph and mid-range performance is such that you never struggle even when fully laden. Crisp, willing and punchy - yet very smooth - you can have quite a lot of fun in a 1.2 litre Yeti: and you'll still get around 40mpg overall.

Time spent on rural switchback routes confirmed that the Yeti has real poise and purpose about it. Handling is distinctly capable and everything combines to make press-on driving both a temptation and a pleasure - yet the ride is comfortingly pliant.

Should you ever forget that you're in a Yeti, the furry keyring serves as a token to guarantee cosy passage through all the elements and It will get you home through all the abominations of our pock-marked roads.

What's special about it is that it manages to combine all the best of this kind of vehicle in the most convenient package. It's spot-on for the sort of owner who wants to box clever and tick all the boxes.

And thankfully, with CO2 of just 149 g/km it leaves no abominable footprint.