If I had a pound for every time I heard a marketing man tell me this car would be the one to change the perception of an entire brand, I would be spending a lot more time casting flies at bonefish in the Bahamas.

So when Tony Whitehorn, managing director of Hyundai Motor UK, says the i30 "is set to change the face of Hyundai in Europe", you can't help but put on your politest heard-it-all-before smile.

Then you get behind the wheel. Within a few minutes there is a slight suspicion that this five-seater hatchback is something very different from the Korean car maker. After a day you are sold.

As the man said, this is the most important car Hyundai has launched in the UK and it ought to change people's perception of the whole brand.

If you are thinking of buying a medium-sized hatchback you have to test this one, because the i30 is a step change in quality, equipment levels and sheer driving pleasure. Don't get me wrong, Hyundai has always produced decent, value-for-money cars backed by an impressive warranty package, but this moves the brand into a different league.

A neat, tidy, solidly built and cleanly-designed interior makes it feel like a member of the Volkswagen family.

This car is responsive, handles tautly, and delivers a great ride. Add to that a 1.6-litre diesel engine which offers the prospect of 60 miles per gallon and the appeal is self-evident.

Prices start at just under £11,000 and there are three trim levels, with air conditioning, alloy wheels and electronic stability programme (ESP) as standard.

The system assists the driver in case he or she is forced to swerve to avoid a collision, or if traction is lost when cornering. ESP helps to keep the vehicle heading where you want, when it might otherwise slide, or spin out of control.

Other safety features include front head restraints to reduce the risk of whiplash injury; passenger, driver and full-length curtain airbags, seatbelt reminder, belt pretensioners and ISOfix childseat fixing points in the rear.

All models include front fog lights, remote locking, glovebox cooling, electrically heated wing-mirrors and a trip computer. The warranty package remains one of the best in the business with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, ten-year anti-perforation warranty and a three-year RAC roadside assistance package, all included in the price.

Auto facts Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Style

  • Price: £13,995
  • Ins group: Five
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 60.1mpg
  • Top speed: 117mph
  • Length: 424.5cm/167.1in
  • Width: 177.5cm/69/9in
  • Luggage capacity: 12 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 11.7 gallons/53 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 125g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles