Overall rating:

The Skoda Yeti really hasn't been bought by the hip and trendy twentysomethings so far - instead attracting the attention of the more mature family buyer. Skoda hopes that's about to change with the introduction of its Urban edition, which offers more equipment, funky looks and a great pair of engines to choose from. From the week we spent with one it looks to be onto a winner; if only we were still classed as a twentysomething we'd have a 1.2-litre TSI version in white with a black roof.

Key Facts

Model tested: Skoda Yeti Urban 2.0 TDI
Pricing: £18,335
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door compact crossover
Rivals: Kia Sportage, MINI Countryman, Nissan Qashqai
CO₂ emissions: 140g/km
Combined economy: 52.3mpg
Top speed: 110mph
0-62mph: 11.6 seconds
Power: 110hp at 4,200rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 1,500- to 2,500rpm

Inside & Out:

If you want to split opinion, then the Skoda Yeti is one of the best tools in the business. We won't deny it; we think it looks great, but for every person on our side there'll be another who passionately dislikes it. Still, if you can look past the dinner-plate headlamps and can appreciate the wrap-around style glazing the Urban adds some extra style. On top of SE specification models the newest Yeti gets black 17-inch alloys, silver roof rails, roof stripes and chunky wheel-arch extensions, as well as decorative mirror colours. New for 2012 is the choice of contrasting roof colours as well - black, white or silver.

Inside there are sports seats, while occupants will also benefit from the standard tinted glass and satnav with DAB radio. The rest is normal Yeti, which means top-notch cabin materials, plenty of space and fully removable and reconfigurable rear seats.

Ride & Handling:

This is an area where the Yeti has always scored highly, and it's no different with the Urban. There's a positive weight to the wheel, inspiring confidence on turn-in complemented by impressively controlled body roll. Chuck it in toward the apex and the front end will grip hard and you'll swear the rear inside wheel is lifting off the tarmac like a hot hatch. It's not of course, but such is the level of fun and enjoyment on offer from the Skoda, you trick your mind into it.

Best of all, none of this excitement from behind the wheel affects the ride comfort. It might handle like a hot hatch but it has a level of composure that those firm-riding runaways can only dream about. The Yeti is in fact one of the most comfortable and flowing vehicles in its class, and unlike many pseudo SUVs, it never feels compromised at nine tenths pace.

You sit a little higher up than in a conventional family car, but there's plenty of adjustment in the seat and you soon end up in a car-like driving position. The view out is pretty good (in any direction) though like many it suffers from thick A-pillars, and if we had to criticise anything it'd be the overly sharp brakes - though it's something you soon adjust to.

Engine & Transmission:

There are only two choices of engine available in the Yeti Urban - the 2.0-litre TDI tested here and the 1.2-litre TSI petrol option. If truth be told the smaller petrol unit is the sweetest of the pair, with a free-revving nature and keen performance that belies its diminutive size - enough to earn this Urban an extra star in the ratings. Still, the 110hp 2.0-litre diesel offers plenty of punch, the low-down torque of 250Nm helping hustle it along without problem. Refinement is acceptable as well, but it's just not as much fun to pedal as the petrol model.

There's not much to say about the five-speed manual gearbox either. Six speeds would allow for slightly more sprightly acceleration, but the five-speeder's pleasant and smooth shift action is fine. We'd site it a little higher though, as it can be a reach from some driving positions.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Another high-point for the Yeti Urban. Based on the SE model, this funky version adds a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, satnav with DAB radio, Bluetooth and the aforementioned wheel arch extensions and other exterior decoration. The petrol version only costs £16,995 as well - the diesel alternative adds £1,340 to the price.

Emissions aren't quite the lowest in class at 140g/km considering the power, but economy is great at over 50mpg. Insurance is a usefully low group 12 and residuals are proving strong for the Yeti in general - we'd expect the Urban to be no different.