Some people would argue that, whilst Hyundai cars are not bad, the designs are often distinctly underwhelming. The i30, however, manages to break the dreariness mould: it looks distinctly stylish and is certainly a good auto.

You’ll get a comfortable ride and a car that handles responsively, a double act that often fails to harmonise in other similar family hatchbacks. Whilst the relatively small engine sizes won’t provide the more power-hungry amongst us with the zing factor we seek, they are more than adequate for city driving or a cruise along the motorway. The larger of the two diesel models does, however, go some way toward adding a bit of accelerative thrust.

Whilst it’s not spectacular in appearance, it is elegant and will attract appreciative looks as you drive by. As Korean cars go, Hyundai have acquired a deserved reputation for using good quality materials in the specifications and the i30 is no exception. The Hyundai i30 steers superbly and has a sturdy and classy chassis to enhance the ride.

It may not exactly be luxurious, but it is spacious and comes with a good sized boot, which can be expanded by folding the seats. Where it really excels is in the running costs department: the 1.6 CRDi – the cheaper of the two diesels – delivers a thumping 60 mpg.