The poor old Yeti is once again consigned to being a snow-bound creature of myth and mountain now that Škoda has pressed the delete button on its Yeti car. This practical and characterful and mildly eccentric crossover/SUV sold by the thousand. It was also instantly recognisable, especially in profile. I was rather fond of it, oddly believing that owners of a Yeti were indubitably nice people.

It’s replacement is an altogether much blander, duller looking affair - conservative, even. That stated, what it lacks in quirky looks it makes up for in pretty much every other aspect, including size. Yeti was good. Karoq is even better - as you’d expect.

It looks, for all the world, like a scaled down Kodiaq, launched last year. Kodiaq is named after a big brown hairy bear from Southwest Alaska and is Škoda’s first showing in the medium/large SUV sector. The Karoq - a compact SUV, as we must call it - is not named after a bear, nor indeed any other beast, mythical or otherwise. The line from Škoda goes that a think tank of men with pony tails was sent to Alaska for a brainstorming session to find a suitable moniker. Between them and a few walnut faced fishermen and bear wrestlers, Karoq is what they came up with. I don’t believe a word of it. A Karoq of old bear poo.

Technical stuff is bang on the money and right up to date. For instance, it shares VW Group’s newest MQB platform that also underpins the SEAT Atica, a VW Group cousin and a close rival to the Škoda. It’s more than the SEAT that the Karoq is up against. The Peugeot 3008 is very good and there are more vying for your attention. Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, the dreadful Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai. Lots of Ks and Qs abound in this sector.

More so than the Yeti, the Karoq has the look of a mildly capable off roader. However, most models will be front driven only. If you want the extra traction of a 4x4, you’ll only be offered that with a 2.0 litre diesel. A 1.6 diesel is also an option, as are the entry level 1.0 litre 3 cylinder TSI petrol and the 1.5 TSI petrol. The latter is one of the best small 4 potters out there, making the Karoq thus fitted the pick of the bunch. It’s also the car we’re looking at here. In the wake of "dieselgate", I expect it’ll also be the top seller. I wouldn’t even consider the little 1.0 litre. Too feeble and thrashy.

SE, SE L and Edition make up the spec range options. Edition adds niceties such as leather, a bigger touch screen and a host of other toys. Oh, and 19" wheels that you won’t need, but probably insist upon.

It’s not the sportiest SUV on the block, but as I never tire of asking folk, what is the point of a so-called sports utility vehicle that goes like a shithouse rat?

If you want pointy and squirty, the aforementioned Seat fits the bill a bit better. Were I in the market for a crossover SUV - I never will be - I’d go for this comfortable, safe and capacious Škoda, because I’d be wearing my sensible hat. There are other cars, including SUVs that may set your trousers on fire. SUVs never should. Mercifully, this new Škoda doesn’t. - but it does do all the sensible stuff very well.