Skoda has surprised in recent years with its boldness and willingness to try new things and tread new ground - and it isn't afraid to tread on a few toes in the process. The Yeti is its latest innovation, an SUV crossover that fuses the best elements of the hatchback and the 4x4 into a package that suits urban drivers.
Much along the lines of the Nissan Qashqai and the Ford Kuga, this latest niche is all about admitting that you're never going to go off-road anyway, so why not build a car that is a little bit tall but geared for some fun driving.
The Yeti refuses to let things lie there, though - whilst it is available in two-wheel drive form, it is an amazingly capable off-roader in its four-wheel drive guise, laughing off most of what you can throw at it save for the stupid stuff that only a Land Rover driver would point his car at.
The Yeti doesn't feel much like an SUV from inside, save for that mildly raised driving position. You sit in a cockpit and in a driving position that feels much like that of a hatchback, classy dashboard set out before you. It is remarkable car-like in its handling, too, and actually proves to be a lot of fun behind the wheel.
It performs the seemingly impossible balancing act of being impressive on a B-road jaunt, relaxing on the motorway and uncompromising off-road. Someone's been having their Weetabix back at Skoda HQ.
The cabin quality is peerless too, Skoda beginning to establish itself as a seller of premium quality (no, really). It benefits from VW standards of quality control in its assembly, but there is a genuinely high level of class and luxury creeping into Skoda products. The interior is exceedingly practical too, and the Yeti comes with a decent set of kit as standard.
The seats are comfortable in the front and back, where there is plenty of room to accommodate people and the ride quality is good enough to cover most of the ruts and bumps you'll come across in day-to-day driving. It is truly remarkable what Skoda has achieved here.
There are a couple of token petrols available for the Yeti, but it's really the diesel engines that impress. In fact, it's the whole car that impresses - Skoda has created an amazingly practical all-rounder.