And we couldn’t disagree. The little Yeti might be small in stature, but it’s big on features and major in terms of value for money.

In a crowded SUV market, the Yeti stands out for it’s rugged looks and practical no-frills appearance. There’s no attempt to beautify this car – it does what it says on the tin. The attraction initially is in the value for money. With a starting price of not much more than £15k, we tried the 2.0 litre TDI version complete with 4WD. Inside it’s roomy and with the option to fold down the rear seats, you can carry all but the kitchen sink with a basic 416 litres of space with the seats up.

On the road and off-road, it was more than capable. And while 4WD knocks a dent in the Yeti’s  50mpg figure, the only complaint we had was that the Yeti can be a bit noisy at speed. Otherwise it’s ultra comfortable and quality – sharing most of the interior parts with VW !

This will be the second time around that the Yeti has won the ‘most satisfactory car to own award’ from

The ME.WE is a multi-functional mini-car that is just about everything you need and more. Switching from four-seat city car to open pick-up, according to the panels you choose to remove or add.  It’s funky design is only matched by the diversity of materials used in it’s construction, from Bamboo to polypropylene. Electric-powered of course, it’s a neat little concept that is simplicity itself. Offering up all-wheel drive, you could see the ME.We spending a little time on the beach and looking cool on the tarmac. Interior =wise, it’s got a multi-adaptable seating configuration, including the ability to remove the back bench altogether for a bit of al fresco seating.

In the bizarre press release from Toyota, it reads a little different, citing the ME.We as ‘ an anti-crisis car that addresses contemporary human, economic and environmental challenges, bringing his (the designers) independent vision and experience from outside the motor industry.’ Apparently, it’s also an ‘anti-excess vehicle,’ which basically means there no extras.’

While the Ultra TT Concept isn’t heading for any showroom in the near future, this ‘one-off’ creation from Audi’s engineers could get the go-ahead in the future, albeit in a lesser form. Created for the annual gathering of Audi petrol heads that is next month’s show in Worthersee in Germany, it boasts some neat features.

It’s much, much lighter than any production TT – in fact it’s 300 kilos lighter, which helps to propel the 2.0 litre TFSI from 0 – 60mph in just 4.2 secs and offer up a 170mph top speed. And the use of carbon fibre and special paint adds to the little car’s devilishly good looks. And what about that race-inspired rear spoiler ?

We reckon it’s absolutely stunning and well worth the sacrifice of these two occasional rear seats to accommodate cross bracing. Audi have added some fancy paint and replaced the front seats with R6 race items to complete the look.

Only question now is when can we have one ?

Taking the covers off the Italian marque’s latest work-of-art unleashed a blinding flash for the cameras as the professionals and snap-happy Chinese crowds captured that first glimpse for Asia of LaFerrari – almost 1,000BHP of beauty. And the crowds loved it.

And no wonder – what’s not to like ?  The mighty 6.3 litre V12 promises a staggering 0 -60mph in less than 3 secs. Both inside and outside, it’s a work of art, from that Enzo-familar ‘snout’ to the four different types of carbon fibre contained in the ultra lightweight body.

With just 50 of these cars’ heading to China (now Ferrari’s second biggest consumer) out of the limited 500 cars due to be built, the chances of seeing one in the wild is few and far between. With a price tag of more than £1 million, LaFerrari has already attained cult and iconic status.

And of course, it’s a hybrid !  Well sort of anyway, because it does have a lithium battery squeezed into a space there somewhere. And that contributes to a handful of the near 1,000BHP on tap. However on electrickery alone, you could expect to travel less than a few miles and even Ferrari acknowledge the nominal figure of 10 might be a push.

For the European market won’t be getting sight of the well-pimped-up G550 with the German giant’s decision to make the SUV a very limited ‘Night Edition’ for the Yen only. And even if you could afford the £100k price and the cost of exporting it here – you would have to fight for one of the strictly only 100 models being produced.

Twin five spoke alloys, a body completely coated in black and with the choice of a bright red or white leather interior, the ‘Night Edition’ is a stunner.

It’s fast becoming ‘the one to have’ across the range, with it’s ability to take the rough with the smooth. carry a fair amount and compares comfortably these days with the best of the rest in the SUV marketplace.

This will be the fourth generation Forester and straight away you can see the difference. It’s bigger all-round with a much improved interior that’s roomier than ever before, much more comfortable due to the increase in touch-friendly materials, a quality build and the load area has been extended.

With six trim levels to choose from and a starting price of  £24,995, the Forester has a great deal going for it. The regular 2-0 litre diesel and petrol engine range now offers up a much more powerful addition – the FA20 Direct Injection Turbocharged which provides 240PS !

That comes with the latest version of the Lineartronic auto transmission and paddle shift.  And that’s coupled up with X-Mode, an all-new All-Wheel-Drive system, which features Hill Descent and offers better control on loose surfaces and slippery roads. An absolute must we’d reckon, if you happen to be the traditional country-living Forester owner ?

World Car of the Year 2013, European Car of the Year, Autobild award winner, Top Gear award winner – the list just goes on and on ! And that situation hasn’t changed much over the last 30-years and seven generations of the Golf. Admittedly, there’s now a Golf for every occasion, but even in it’s most basic form, the front-engine little VW remains the staple diet of your average motorist around the world.

And it’s not something you can readily put your finger on. In it’s class, the small hatch isn’t the biggest load carrier. Nor is the fastest these days. But few would argue that it is quite probably the best overall. Value for money, fuel frugality, easy to maintain and probably uppermost for the majority, it’s a car that doesn’t offer up too many problems.

So is it perhaps just average ? That would be a bit unfair – the truth is that the Golf is consistently good at everything it does. Long live the Golf !

It’s an indication of how far Chevrolet have gone to lighten and strip down their latest Camaro Z/28 to provide a car that’s essentially a beast for the track and yet capable of providing a street ride offering supercar performance.

Yankee-style muscle car looks, low mean and purposeful are all apt words to describe the exterior looks’ of the Camaro. It’s sixties-style wide mouthed front and power bulged bonnet capture the spirit of the sixties. And the growl from that 580BHP  V8 is a symphony of hard rock.

Truth be told, the Camaro’s looks don’t give a clue to the wealth of hi-tech, racing development that has gone into this car. The built-by-hand engine contains titanium intake valves and sodium filled exhaust valves, while the stopping power required to haul up a creaming 7.0 litre engine is provided in the shape of carbon ceramic brakes.

Bring it to Britain Chevvy !

They have yet to drive the 2014 Cayman S’ or they would readily admit that £ for £, the clever Cayman is no poor man’s sporty icon. The judges at this year’s World Car Awards obviously get the point, otherwise why award the Cayman a coveted ‘World Performance Car’ title ? And what’s more, the new Cayman S’ is cheap enough over a 911 to buy the wife a  brand new Evoque with the difference !

Powered by the legendary flat six, the latest generation Cayman is longer and wider than it’s previous – a lot wider and longer actually. And that gives the car a more positive presence on the road, all four corners filled to capacity with rubber. Add those massive rear quarter air intakes, a low and bulbous front end and you have an almost retro looking mammoth of a machine.

With this comes power, not straight line, neck-breaking thrust – although 0 – 60 is a healthy  5 secs – but more the sort of driver power that makes sweeping curves, twisty B’ roads and acute corners’ an absolute blast. To be honest, push it on and the Cayman offers track day thrills at any time of the day or night. And yet, with it’s deep, comfy interior and hugging alcantara covered sports seats, the Cayman is almost sports tourer like on the motorway.

A true supercar with a starting price of around £55k, the Cayman S’ does boast one or two luxurious features such as an enhanced audio system and leather upholstery option. There’s nothing optional about the overall performance however. It’s in a word, awesome.

With the launch earlier this year of the third generation Octavia, it made sense for the bigwigs at Skoda to give the public what they want – a relatively inexpensive saloon that’s big on power and not short on good looks.’ Hence, the Octavia RS !

From it’s daytime running LED lights to it’s lowered stance, the RS looks the part, particularly in the rather fetching RS blue that’s become something of a trademark for the RS range. Longer, wider and lighter than any that have gone before, the RS will probably fetch up 220 BHP courtesy a new 2.0 litre TFSI engine.