The Hyundai i30 is carrying a heavy load. For it is saddled with being the most important car the Korean company has launched in the UK, and has been described by managing director Tom Whitehorn as “a car that is set to change the face of Hyundai in Europe”.

It is no longer enough for the firm’s cars to offer value and a half-decent drive for the budget-conscious. It’s time to move on and compete with the best of the established European marques, even beat them at their own game.

And you know what? It is doing exactly that.

The smaller i10 has already been hailed as a cracking good supermini, and now be prepared to be surprised again, because the i30 builds on the new-found confidence.

For my road test, I chose the i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi in Style trim, the middle of three available specifications.

First impressions are favourable: Headlamps sweep round from the wings, 16-inch alloy wheels are employed, there are front fog lamps, along with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and mirrors, and on top is a pair of roof rails. It would stand comparison with anything in this sector.

Step inside and you are greeted by some impressive kit, whichever of the three trims you choose.

Even in the entry-level Comfort specification, features include air conditioning, ESP, four electric windows, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, integrated steering wheel audio controls, a single-CD six-speaker audio system with MP3 compatibility and integrated USB/iPod connections, trip computer, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, tinted glass, remote locking and height and lumbar adjust for the driver’s seat.

Bigger wheels, leather trim, a tyre pressure monitoring system and auto lighting control are Style trim additions.

Opt for the Premium trim and you get 17-inch alloys, reversing sensors, full leather seat facings with heated front seats, a rear centre armrest, rain sensor wipers, climate control among the extras.

My week-long road test got off to a rocky start when, on the opening day, the tyre pressure monitoring warning light came on and a diagram on the dashboard indicated there was a problem with the front offside tyre. Sure enough, the tyre was losing pressure and I had to swap it for the space-saver spare in the boot before heading to a garage. Closer examination of the damaged tyre found a large tack embedded in the rubber.

I had certainly not expected to test the tyre monitor, but it worked well in quickly alerting me to the problem.

Back on the road, I soon began to enjoy the spirited 1.6-litre diesel engine, which has to be the pick of the four engines available (1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel). With a claimed 57.6mpg combined figure – although I suggest a figure nearer 50mpg is more likely – this engine offers an excellent mix of capability and economy.

The 0-60mph time of 11.9 seconds looks on paper to be slightly disappointing, the reality is that the acceleration is not sluggish, and the mid-range performance is excellent. I took the i30 on motorways and testing country roads and never found it wanting.

I had a good feeling about this car. It felt just right. The economy, the drive, the dimensions, the fact that the CO2 emissions were only 125 g/km and I would save money on tax, and not least the quality of the cabin were all big plus points.

Passengers were impressed by the seating material, the legroom, the audio sound, the comfort of the ride and the large areas of glass that make it feel roomy. The estate is in fact 50cm taller than the hatchback, and 230mm longer, with the wheelbase stretched by 90mm.

There’s also a lot be said for the i30’s distinctive but discreet styling. The interior is neat, contemporary and functional. Blue lighting on the dials adds some pizzazz, without being garish, whereas the overriding impression is one of conservative good taste.

Like the design, the build quality has also taken a marked step forward compared to the last generation of Hyundais. Although light to open, the doors shut with a sturdy thump and leave minimal gaps while all of the materials feel robust The diesel engine can be a little clattery from cold, but settles down to a hum, with road and wind noise being barely noticeable.

Hyundai’s improvements come at a price, and the i30 estate range now starts at £11,155 for the 1.4-litre petrol model in Comfort trim to £16,755 for the 2.0-litre Premium diesels, which offer six-speed manual transmission. If a big European manufacturer had launched this car, few would consider it to have fallen short of the mark. But there is one big difference between the Hyundai and European models.

A sticker in the back window announces just what that difference is – the Hyundai is covered by a five-year warranty.


At a glance

Model: Hyundai i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi Style.

Price: £14,855.

Engine: Four-cylinder diesel.

Transmission: Five-speed manual.

Power: 113 bhp.

Performance: 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds; top speed 117mph.

CO2 emissions: 128 g/km.

Fuel economy: 57.6 mpg (combined)