There’s always been quite a bit of debate about the existence of the Yeti. I can, for the first time, state with absolute certainty that it doesn’t exist.

At least not any more.

Skoda’s popular Yeti, a small SUV-like vehicle that dared to stray a little way from the beaten path and offered a distinct character that set it apart from the competition, has been replaced by the Karoq, a crossover in a much more conventional suit.

It sits on the VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB platform, which it shares with the Ateca and the Tiguan, and is bigger in every direction than the car that it replaces.

So, while the delightfully chunky, idiosyncratic styling of the Yeti is no more, its replacement is reasonably good-looking with well-defined lines and balanced proportions.

The cabin not only feels beautifully built, it also has a strong identity. Years ago it would have seemed laughable that being able to immediately identify a Skoda, of all things, would matter but as everyone knows, the Czech firm is a very different beast these days.

It’s no surprise, then, to discover that material quality is excellent. The dashboard, particularly, is a highlight and is covered in a delightfully tactile soft-touch rubber. It’s logically laid out too, with all the major controls easy to reach.

The cabin is spacious and the boot generous. Certainly it’s possible to convey four six-footers around in comfort, and that’s without resorting to slipping one in the boot. The high seating position provides an elevated view of the road and visibility is good all around.

There are lots of clever tricks, cubby holes and storage solutions dotted around the passenger space, like the sealed rubbish bin in the driver’s door pocket and the rear-facing tablet holders that can be fitted to the front headrests. Skoda is very vocal about these, and other, useful ideas scattered around the car – there’s even an umbrella under the passenger seat and a torch stowed away in the boot – and rightly so, because they are exactly that: Useful.

There are seven trim levels to choose from – SE, SE Nav Plus, SE Technology, SE L (the model reviewed here) Scout and Edition – and three engines.

If you want petrol power – and more and more people do these days – there’s just the one option: A 1.5-litre with either a manual or DSG automatic. You can choose from either a 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesel engine. The latter powering my test car and driving all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

And a very competent power plant it is. The sprint to 62mph is completed in a reasonable 8.7 seconds – in comparison the 1.5-litre TSI is three tenths quicker – while top speed is 122mph. It’s reasonably refined, particularly at cruising speeds, with a decent spread of torque allowing for fairly relaxed motorway driving.

The manual transmission can be a little obstinate, requiring a little more effort to select a ratio than might be considered the norm across VW Group models but this is car whose primary focus is transporting from A to C with maybe a stopover at B in maximum comfort and with the minimum of fuss, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be looking to make too many quickfire gear changes.

Approach driving the Karoq in the right frame of mind and it will reward you with a calm and composed ride, dealing well with all but the very worst broken surfaces. It’s quiet, too, with little engine or tyre noise permeating the cabin at cruising speeds. There is a little wind noise generated by the large door mirrors but it does little to spoil the relaxed ambience in the passenger space.

While it’s stretching the truth a little to argue that the Karoq is fun to drive, the steering has a perfectly weighted, natural, feel to it, which dovetails well with the relaxed ride. It’s height means that it does, inevitably, roll a fair bit if you decide to carry a bit of speed through a bend but there’s enough grip to keep the front clinging on determinedly.

The Karoq lacks some of the character of its predecessor, the Yeti, but more than makes up for it with a breadth of abilities that make it a serious challenger in the crossover class. It delivers a comfortable, relaxed and refined experience wrapped up in a very practical, well put-together package. The chassis isn’t particularly sporty but the same can be said for the vast majority of cars in this class.

The fact that it is also excellent value for money makes the Karoq a genuine contender.

Skoda Karoq SE L 2.0 TDI 150PS 4x4

Price: £28,445

As tested: £30,390

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual 4x4

Max power: 150PS

Max torque: 340Nm @ 1,750 – 3,000rpm

Max speed: 121mph

Urban: 46.3mpg

Extra urban: 62.8mpg

Combined: 55.4mpg

Emissions (CO2): 134g/km

For more information visit www.skoda.co.uk