THERE are some big names in the small family car market and if you are considering buying you are not likely to think Hyundai straight away.
The Koreans are going all out to change that with the introduction of the i30, a neat and efficient five-door hatch rather than a dazzler, perhaps, but one offering wonderful value.
Take the 1.4 Comfort version. It's the entry model and you don't expect to get very much for under £11,000 these days.
But the Comfort delivers air conditioning, stability and traction controls, six airbags, front and back electric windows, heated door mirrors, chilled glovebox, driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, steering wheel height and reach adjustment, front foglights, 15in alloys and a radio/CD player system with MP3, WMP and iPod compatibility.
And, of course, you get Hyundai's five-year unlimited mileage warranty, 10 years anti-rust warranty and three years roadside assistance. It's a mightily attractive package.
The equipment list is the one outstanding feature of the car; nevertheless it does a lot of things - ride, handling, steering, in-car comfort - quite well and even passes muster with style and décor. The car was designed and developed in Europe with the intention of meeting our tastes.
One of the key ingredients is the wheelbase, one of the longest in this small-family-car segment, which is teamed with a wide track and a high roofline.
So cabin space, including for back-seat passengers, is very good, while the i30 is capable of offering 1,250 litres of cargo capacity when the split/folding rear seats are down.
The seating is comfortable and I completed a lengthy journey with little sign of tiredness or stiffness. There's a fully-independent rear suspension at work and the ride is reasonably supple, while the driving aids ensure confidence.
Another comfort asset is the good suppression of noise and vibration and I must thank Hyundai for finally switching the indicator/lights and wiper stalks to the correct sides for Euro use.
I had some reservations about the 1.4-litre petrol engine used here (there's also a 1.6 and a couple of diesels). Maximum power is 107bhp at 6,200 revs and best pull is 101lb/ft all the way up at 5,000, so performance is pretty flat at low and even medium speeds. Overtaking needs thorough preparation.
On the credit side, though, you get welcome fuel returns (55mpg on the open road) and the carbon dioxide emissions are a quite-healthy 145g/km. Running the i30, as well as buying it, is kind on the pocket.
What do you think about the 'name'? Hyundai has now followed other manufacturers in going for numbers which, in effect, describe the vehicle. Thus i10 would be a city car, i20 a supermini, i40 a medium size car, etc, a sensible system, I can see, but lacking a little in romance.
I suppose it is part of the revamp Hyundai is undergoing, described by the company as a 'dramatic shift in image and attitude' which will change people's view of the brand. The i30 is the first product of this project and, if it doesn't exactly shout excitement, it is a thoroughly workmanlike small car of extremely good value (the top-of-the-range model is £16,595).
And, in the end, a car that does the job and treats us well is what most of use are looking for.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai i30 1.4 Comfort 5dr
Price: £10,995
Mechanical: 107bhp, 1,396cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 12.6 secs
Combined mpg: 46.3
Insurance group: 4
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
BiK rating: 16%
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage, 6yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust