Hyundai i30

There's a new medium sized hatchback heading the way of Europe. Korea is investing more than £200m in a new factory in the Cezch Republic to offer the Hyundai i30. This should offer another choice in the Astra and Focus sized market.

All versions of th (1.4, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel) will come with ESP, air con, alloy wheels and integrated steering controls. A good selling point should be the top safety ratings in NCAP testing.

Hyundai is sometimes thought of as the cheap alternative to Euro brands but I'd feel comfortable buying one of these for the reliability and range of features. Whether I'd buy this particular model however remains to be seen. I think I'd rather go for the Coupe - a car still in my wish list...