Auto Express February:

"Group 6: Compact SUVs

Practical, stylish and fun to drive, the latest small, road-biased 4x4s are ideal if you don’t plan to venture far off the tarmac. But which will qualify?

Auto Express Car Reviews February 2010Entrants

WINNER: Skoda Yeti (£13,990-£22,635)

BEST FOR IMAGE: VW Tiguan (£20,125-£27,900)

BEST FOR HANDLING: Ford Kuga (£21,498-£28,134)

Peugeot 3008 (£16,595-£22,495)

Honda CR-V (£20,610-£29,135)

"Reaching the finals of a World Cup is a big achievement in itself – and this sector proves why. The five cars here represent only a handful of the compact SUVs on sale.

And the fact that the likes of the Vauxhall Antara and Toyota RAV4 aren’t even in our line-up goes to show the choice and variety in the small 4x4 market. While none of our finalists will disappoint family buyers, only one can reach the knock-out stages. And it isn’t the Honda CR-V. Despite a recent Auto Express group test victory (Issue 1,099), it faced even more talented and affordable machines here.

The VW Tiguan is another former group test winner to fall short. We are big fans of the smart off-roader, but it doesn’t have the appealing looks, interior space or price tag to match our winner. The Peugeot 3008 is keenly priced; if only it didn’t have such unconventional styling. Dynamically, it can’t match our compact SUV favourite, either.

When it comes to driving fun, the Ford Kuga takes some beating. As with the Tiguan, it’s available with two and four-wheel drive. And the entertaining handling and sporty appearance make it a genuinely desirable choice. However, a string of price rises last year means the Ford is now an expensive option.

That leaves only one car: the brilliant Skoda Yeti. We were blown away by its robust looks, superb handling and classy cabin. Add competitive pricing, a choice of 2WD and 4WD models, plus the firm’s famed reliability, and it’s the unanimous choice of our judges."

I would not be inclined to take too much notice of Auto Express . If anyone can rate the Ford Kuga as having good handling then their testing ability must be very suspect in my view. I looked at a number of cars including the Kuga as a potential car. After a short drive on country roads, I can say the its handling leaves very much to be desired. For a start the rear end is very under damped and it tends to pogo around on anything other than smooth roads. the steering feels very remote and tiller like. It is not up to being hurried along twisty roads as it gets its self teid up and out of sorts. I can say that I was very surprised and disappointed because I had been led to beleive by the motoring press that it had some potential. Its internal furnishings were little better than commercial vehicles the dash appeared to be made from very hard plastic and then have a commercial dimpled rubber like membrane stuck on to it with glue. The outside of the car did look spectacular and futuristic but we immediately struck it off our list as a no no. It was very poor and nowhere near in the same class as the Yeti.

I am not partisan and loyal to any brand and would go with any vehicle that I felt good enough, the Kuga was very poor in so many ways.

Recognition where it's due, I've done around 5,000 miles now and it just keeps getting better.

Along with the looks and versatility, the engine (140Tdi) is starting to loosen up = mpg, in gear flexibility and performance improving.

Fantastic car.

Well deserved in my opinion. I have been researching pretty much all the 4x4 compact SUVs on the market for well over 6 months now and there wasn't a single make and model that ticked all my boxes. In the main, these were;

1.) Looks - it looks like a 4x4 (like a mini disco imo).

2.) Size - small and compact but still hold loads of kit (the Yeti's varioflex system is simply brilliant!)

3.) Economy - ins grp 9 and over 40 mpg combined

4.) Performance - a right little goer on tarmac but has very respectful off-road ability

5.) Quality Interior - I love the look of the cockpit

6.) Lots of options - I want all the bells and whistles and, with the Yeti, I can and at a reasonable price.

When the Yeti came along, my prayers were answered.

I didn't set out to buy an SUV but cannot think of a more interesting car that anyone could buy for the £13-14k of the 1.2TSI. For that money the Yeti is pretty much out on its own for quality, refinement, safety, dynamics.......... I soon abandoned my plans for another regular hatchback.

I didn't set out to buy an SUV but cannot think of a more interesting car that anyone could buy for the £13-14k of the 1.2TSI. For that money the Yeti is pretty much out on its own for quality, refinement, safety, dynamics.......... I soon abandoned my plans for another regular hatchback.

I agree