IT'S amazing just how often manufacturers have to keep making changes to their current models in order to keep them looking fresh.

Although launched only in 2007, Hyundai is making significant interior and exterior revisions to the popular i30 range for 2011.

New items include fog lights and follow-me-home headlamps, while an eco-drive indicator has been added to help drivers improve on fuel economy.

Exterior changes include a new grille, front and rear bumpers and side sill mouldings.

On top of these cosmetic changes, the South Korean car maker has also introduced revised petrol engines into the range, helping to make the i30 more fuel efficient and less polluting.

Both the new 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol units are Euro 5 compliant and reduce CO2 emissions by 3g/km over the outgoing engines, while revisions to the range's 1.6-litre 115bhp CRDi diesel unit helps cut emissions to 119g/km - saving buyers £85 a year in road tax - while extending service intervals to up to 20,000 miles.

To improve fuel consumption and chop emissions even further, buyers will also be able to opt for stop-and-go technology.

Available as a five-door hatch or versatile estate tourer, the i30 range comes well equipped, with six airbags, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors, active head restraints and ESP standard throughout the range.

I managed to get my hands on the revised diesel estate in standard Comfort trim and must admit to being more than impressed with this newcomer.

Priced at £15,600, the punchy 113bhp diesel unit is lively enough for most needs, offering smooth acceleration through the gears and refined cruising for long-distance work.

Engineers have worked hard to balance the suspension and the car's softish ride takes care of the bumps and rutted surfaces that seem to make up the majority of our roads.

Grip through corners is also excellent and wallowing and roll are kept firmly in check.

The low waistline and deep front windscreen offers drivers an excellent view of the road ahead while the driver's seat has more than enough adjustment to cater for every size and shape.

While Hyundai have introduced a new entry-level Classic spec model to the i30 hatchback range, it is as yet unavailable in estate car guise.

This leaves three Comfort trim estate models in the form of a 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol duo and a 1.6-litre diesel, while the latter is also available in Premium specification which adds part-leather trim, climate control, rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloys to the already well-appointed machine.

For the money, the i30 estate is a pretty hard act to beat, especially with its five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and economical 60mpg fuel consumption.