Skoda’s Yeti’s puts one big foot in the SUV camp, but the other is firmly planted 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 barely hindered progress along forest tracks.

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

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

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

There’s no need for a step ladder to climb aboard, and once inside you sit in slightly 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, too, 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 Škoda’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 optional electrically operated panoramic sunroof brings additional light, air and felling of space into the cabin.

It has a conventional tailgate, to,o which can even double as shelter if you’re outdoors and the weather turns tricky.

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

Well. yes, but there’s something else. Although the diesel-engined versions make a very good case for themselves, the 1.8-litre TFSI engine is the one to go for if you want some playtime.

For starters it is rapid, with the 158bhp on offer propelling it from 0-62mph in just over eight seconds.

The combined fuel consumption figure of 35.4mpg for a four-wheel drive petrol car of this performance is quite an achievement, even though it falls short of the diesel offerings.

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.

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

Five engines are available – two petrol and three diesel – with outputs ranging between 105 and 170bhp. All units are transversely mounted and drive through either a five-speed or six-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed DSG transmission.

All three diesel engines are available with four-wheel drive.

Complementing the diesel line-up are two petrol engines. The turbocharged 1.2 TSI engine develops 105bhp and is available with a seven-speed DSG transmission, while the 1.8 TSI engine is available with four-wheel drive.

Skoda Yeti fact file

Model: 1.8 TSI Elegance.

Price: £22,320 (Yeti range from £14,645).

Engine: 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol producing 158bhp and 184lb.ft of torque.

Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels.

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 8.4 seconds; top speed 124mph.

Economy: 35.3mpg combined.

CO2 emissions: 189g/km.