IF there's one car maker which has blossomed in recent years it has to be Hyundai.

The Korean brand has matured from a limited frills, high on value manufacturer into a serious player.

Its latest batch of small cars such as the i10 city model, the larger i30 hatch and the ix35 SUV have helped sales in Britain surge from 28,000 units in 2008 to an anticipated 65,000 this year - and that's despite the economic gloom.

The key has been a modern approach to styling, better build quality and improved engines now backed up with a five year unlimited mileage guarantee.

But what we have seen over the past couple of years is the tip of the iceberg.

Come next month a new flagship model is being launched which will take Hyundai into a higher league.

The i40 Tourer will be going head to head with the likes of the Ford Mondeo and VW Passat estates - and it is good enough in every way to give them a run for their money.

Not only does the i40 have refreshingly modern lines, it's well appointed and features decent engines which offer more than adequate performance while being economical.

Only one model - the two-litre petrol - falls outside of the 160g/km CO2 company car tax threshold and the i40 looks set to be a keen competitor in the fleet market as well as the private scene.

The other nine versions of the i40 Tourer - and that includes the range topping 1.7-litre diesel automatic - all come in below the 160 mark - and one is among the greenest estates around with emissions of just 113g/km.

Priced from £19,395, the i40 1.7 CRDi fitted with Hyundai's Blue Drive eco system can average almost 66mpg and escapes car tax in its first year.

The i40 Tourer range costs from £18,395 for a 1.6-litre petrol version to £25,895 for the diesel automatic and standard equipment includes air conditioning, stability controls and a sophisticated electronic parking brake which activates automatically as the car comes to rest - a feature similar to that found on BMWs.

There is also a voice controlled Bluetooth system fitted to all models while sat nav and a rear view camera come as standard on the mid and top range versions priced from £20,195.

Automatic parking, lane departure warning, a heated steering wheel and a humidity sensor which keeps the cabin comfortable - and the windows unfogged - are other top features.

It all adds up to a very competitive package with prices undercutting the rivals by some margin.

Inside the i40 is exceptionally roomy, especially with the amount of head and leg room in the rear. The back seats also recline - and that's something not normally found in cars of this class.

The quality of finish inside is impressive and sets new standards for the brand and as estates go it is very user-friendly.

Cargo capacity ranges from 553 to 1,719 litres and the boot floor lip is low to help loading.

On the road the i40 is well mannered, quiet inside and even the economical Blue Drive can manage 0 to 60 in a respectable fashion (12.9 seconds) with a top speed close to 120mph.

The higher powered 1.7 diesel versions develop 136ps as opposed to 115 in the Blue Drive which improves performance giving a 0 to 60 time of around 10.5 seconds although fuel economy is not quite as impressive at 55.4mpg with emissions up to 134g/km.

Gearboxes, both six speed manual and auto, are good and the paddle shift system on the auto works well for manual changes.

As sports tourers go the i40 is a breath of fresh air. It looks good, drives well, is highly practical and with its five year warranty represents tremendous value for money.

No longer can Hyundai be considered as a cheap alternative to the mainstream brands. With the i40 it is up there with the best.