THERE has been a headlong rush towards hybrids and one-time minnow Hyundai is now a big fish.

The Korean car maker showed us its hydrogen powered fuel cell ix35 over a year ago and probably more significantly it launched the Ioniq in the UK last autumn as the first car with three powertrains, a petrol-hybrid, an electric model and soon to come a plug-in hybrid electric.

At the moment there are five models in the range in three trim levels and comprising two 120ps electric powered cars alongside three 141ps 1.6 petrol/hybrids between £20,500 and £31,300.

That's an impressive line-up and achievement in anyone's book and it underlines how slow and backward the really big boys have been in moving with or ahead of the times.

For Hyundai it puts the company on a world stage where not all the actors know their parts as well as the Korean brand and after driving the petrol-hybrid Ioniq I think it has a starring role to play.

There is no compromise with the powertrain, it's smooth, has adequate power and seamlessly switches between conventional and electric drive while always returning remarkable economy. However, you do lose a bit of boot space to the battery pack and mechanical package.

Having said that, it's roomy in the back for passengers and spacious infront as well.

The access is good and once inside the seats are supporting and comfortable, with reasonable adjustment on the front pair.

For the driver, the major controls are silky in operation with welcome precision to the clutch, footbrake, throttle, gearchange and steering.

Secondary stalks smoothly work the lights and wipers, with switches on the lower dash out of sight or clearly placed on the central console topped by a good sized multi-function info-tainment screen and the familiar dials are infront of the driver with an on board computer display splitting the two.

Heating and ventilation was straightforward with electric windows and the system was quick, quiet and comprehensive doing its job.

Oddments space was fairly good but the compartments may be a bit on the small side for a family to appreciate.

Visibility was good with lights well up to the Ioniq's performance but I thought the fastest wiper setting was a bit slow and I would have liked a rear wiper as well.

As it was, the small back window, high tail and thick c-pillars added up to poor sightlines when reversing.

On the move, the Ioniq was responsive and economical with good ride quality and safe handling.

It covered distances without complaint and usually over 62mpg was registered on the computer.

You sometimes knew you were on bad roads by the noise from the tyres and a bit of engine fussiness through the gears, particularly when laden. Mechanically it was usually quiet and wind noise was very well suppressed.