Skoda: Car of the year 'blew judges away'

The Skoda Yeti is said to combine the best of a family hatchback with the abilities of an SUV. Photo / Supplied

British weekly AutoExpress has named the Skoda Yeti as its Car of the Year for 2010.

Editor-in-chief David Johns says: "The result is a reflection of just how far Skoda has come and how good its cars now are.

"They have always represented fantastic value for money but, increasingly, they have come to stand for great quality, driveability and reliability.

"The Yeti, in particular, just blew our judges away. It is a car that combines the best of a family hatchback with the looks and go-anywhere ability of an SUV.

The four-wheel-drive turbo-diesel Yeti arrives at Skoda dealers in New Zealand next week, priced from $48,000. Its 2-litre TDI engine delivers 103kW and 320Nm or torque and is mated to its parent Volkswagen Group's double-clutch DSG gearbox.