IT'S rare, refined and should find a ready market because the Hyundai i30 Estate has few rivals, rides and handles well and comes with a long and comprehensive warranty.

There was a time when small estates abounded in Britain but the growth of hatchbacks and MPVs pushed buyers towards larger estates which usually carried a hefty price premium as well.

While small hatchbacks can offer a practical solution for most users, sometimes you want the easy loading nature of an estate and the Hyundai i30 offers this with additional virtues of a choice of 108bhp 1.4 or 123bhp 1.6 petrol engines as well as a 115bhp 1.6 diesel in Comfort and Premium trim levels. Prices run from £14,300 to £17,150.

At the other end of the car, the five-seat five-door body has split folding seats and load capacity rises from a nominal 400 litres to almost 1400 litres and there is a wide opening tailgate with a sensibly shaped and easy to use loadbed behind.

Access to fill or empty is good and the side-doors give more useful access to the rear. For passengers the door apertures may be a little small but once inside the room is good, particularly headroom in the back which can be restricted in some cars of this overall size.

In front the entry is easier and all seats are well shaped, comfortable and supporting with good adjustment on the front pair. The Premium trim seats are combined cloth and leather covers. An adjustable column means the driver can find and use any desired driving position.

Visibility is very good, helped by good lights and wipers front and back and with rear parking sensors as standard it is worry-free to wiggle into the tightest openings.

Light major controls are further welcome features. The steering has a good turning circle and reasonable feedback at speed, the clutch is feather-light and the six-speed gearbox very neat and precise while the brakes slow the car quickly but with good progressive feel underfoot and the handbrake was effective on a steep test slope.

Secondary switches and controls are grouped close to the wheel, column and on the fascia and they are clearly marked and operate well. Instruments are easy to read and well lit at night directly infront of the driver.

The controls for climate selection are straightforward and also work well to maintain temperature, output and direction and all windows are powered.

Oddments room is reasonable, not exceptional, and compartments are possibly on the small side for the uses some people expect.

Performance is respectable but not rapid. The engine can be worked hard without noise level becoming intrusive but the most pleasing fact is that the i30 Estate returns very good economy without the driver having to consciously ease off the throttle.

It also feels surprisingly agile for a estate car and it responds well to steering inputs, throttle changes, brakes and has little body roll to upset the grip.