SKODA’S Yeti puts one big foot in the SUV camp, and the other in the pigeon-hole marked “car”.

The exterior tells you it is tough, with a raised ride height, chunky wheels and even chunkier bumpers that look suitable for making progress along forest tracks.

You can have it with four-wheel drive, so it really can be taken off the beaten track with confidence.

But the Yeti doesn’t tower over pedestrians or demand a couple of parking spaces.

We’ve grown very fond of the Yeti.

Earlier this year, it was named the UK’s most satisfying car to own in the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

In fact, it was the second year running that the Yeti topped the chart of 100 cars.

Length-wise, at 4.2m long, it’s somewhere between Skoda’s Fabia and Octavia, but is nearly as wide as the Superb, and that, for most people, is more than enough.

There have been various special editions in its quite short history, as its reputation grew as a fine allrounder, and now there’s a new range-topper in the of the flagship Laurin & Klement model.

The unique trim level has the same technical specification and features as the Yeti Elegance, but includes more than £4,000 worth of extras for just £2,000 more on the price.

Laurin & Klement is the badge Skoda has traditionally given to its flagship high-spec models. The name pays tribute to the brand’s history as a bicycle, motorcycle and car manufacturer. Václav Laurin and Václav Klement are the founding fathers of Skoda.

The Yeti Laurin & Klement is available only as a four-wheel-drive model and comes with a choice of three engines: the 1.8-litre TSI 160PS 4x4, 2.0-litre TDI CR 140PS 4x4 DSG DPF and 2.0-litre TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DPF.

On the outside, special features over and above Elegance models are 17-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, black side protective moulding with chrome ledge, auto-dimming driver’s door mirror and L& K inscription on the mud guards.

Interior touches include a sat nav system with DAB radio, heated windscreen, panoramic sunroof, park assist, leather seats with L&K logo, leather steering wheel, piano black inlays, L&K scuff plates and floor mats with silver stitching.

There’s no need for a stepladder to climb aboard, and once inside, you sit in an elevated fashion with a huge windscreen in front of you for an excellent view out, but it’s still much like a car, with a straightforward dashboard layout.

There’s plenty of space for both upfront and for rear passengers, while the boot is square and tall, with the option of boot dividers for extra practicality.

The rear passenger compartment features Skoda’s Varioflex seating arrangement. The system allows the seats to be moved forwards, backwards, reclined individually, rolled up or completely removed.

What’s more, those riding in the back have a great view out thanks to seat bases that are mounted 20mm higher than those in the front.

A feature more commonly associated with high-end SUVs, the “platform” seating also makes access to the rear seats even easier.

An electrically-operated panoramic sunroof brings additional light, air and feeling of space into the cabin.

So the Yeti is a practical car-like SUV that will tootle along unhindered on or off-road.

The chassis is also up for the task of helping you exploit the performance. With an engine that’s keen to rev, a very slick six-speed gearbox and steering that is both accurate and sensitive it is a hoot to drive.

The on-demand four-wheel drive system provides extra reassurance and the ability to use the performance in all sorts of weather.

It enables the Yeti to climb, descend and cross rough terrain, while its additional ground clearance, high ride height and rugged looks make it a competitor to vehicles in the SUV market.

It is simplicity itself. By pushing the off-road button, control is maintained when the driving conditions get tough. It will maintain a constant speed downhill on a steep slope, maintain traction going uphill, hold the car still on a hill start and help prevent the wheels from spinning on loose surfaces or wet, slippery roads.

But this is primarily a car to be used every day, for all sorts of tasks.

Skoda continues to be simply clever. This special version of the Yeti is simply posher.

Fact file

Skoda Yeti Laurin & Klement

PRICE: £25,980

ENGINE: 2.0-litre diesel

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual driving all four wheels

PERFORMANCE: top speed 125mph; 0 to 62mph in 8.4 seconds

ECONOMY: 47.9mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 155g/km