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It may not possess the eye-catching looks of a Range Rover Sport, but having sold 281,000 units in the last four years, the Skoda Yeti is certainly popular.

The 2014 version is now on sale, in a form that appears to be a concoction of various VW-owned automobiles. It may not look terribly pretty, but with an entry level price tag of just £16,600, it has the power to make one's bank balance rather easy on the eye.

The 2014 re-vamp offers updated grilles, bumpers, lights and bonnet design. You can now choose from the Urban Yeti, or more muscular (read: bigger bumpers) Outdoor Yeti.

Each version offers a useful top-hinged tailgate, which keeps precipitation at bay as you're getting your boots on or eating your sandwiches al fresco.

For the price, it's no surprise that the interior is simple and utilitarian. The seats can be folded or taken out completely, offering a maximum load space of 1,760 litres.

Reviews have criticised the Yeti's seating in terms of comfort, and the seven-inch clearance does not make it a winner when crossing streams or small rivers. That said, one has to wonder how many Yetis will actually be used for rugged outdoor work, and how many will be conscripted for the school run and mass shopping loads at ASDA.

On the other hand, the four-wheel drive option has been very popular so far, and as Britain once again reminds us of how much bad weather it can conjure up, this trend may well continue with 2014 Yeti orders.

Skoda’s range-wide reliability has made it a popular choice for those seeking a hard-wearing, cost-effective car; vehicle recovery insurance providers have certainly received a lot less work from Skoda breakdowns following the VW takeover in 2000.

According to the manufacturer, the 2.0 TDI 140 4x4 version delivers 40.9mpg/48.7mpg (EU Urban/Combined), and a top speed of 118mph. Prices range from £16,600 to £21,275. Optional extras can push the final price towards £28,000.