HYUNDAI has come a long way in a relatively short space of time and though it might not launch quite as many cutting edge designs as sister company Kia it is still making great strides.

The i40 is a case in point, with a string of awards to its name, though perhaps bizarrely it's the estate car that has been winning all the accolades.

Estate cars used to be seen as the functional Cinderellas to the more salubrious and stylish saloons on which they were based.

But it's the complete reverse for the i40 and something that is perhaps indicative of a shift in attitudes, as well as the fact far more imaginative and attractive estate cars seem to be being dreamed up by car designers.

So is the saloon no more than an afterthought - or is it just a case of the tables having been turned and it having to play second fiddle to the indisputably impressive looking estate?

In reality the i40 saloon is not dissimilar to the current crop of mid-market family cars out there, characterised by angular quarter lights and a sporty kind of profile.

While it doesn't quite have the dynamism of the estate it still looks good and this one drew more than a few admiring glances and even the odd complimentary comment.

The swish and classy interior demonstrates just how advanced Hyundai has become and the plastics have a nice premium feel to them.

Its cabin is comfortable and spacious and there's no doubting plenty of thought has gone into designing pleasing ergonomics.

There were just a few little niggles I didn't like, including a boot lid that felt like it should bounce up with a slight tug when opened but didn't and a gearbox that was a little on the notchy side, though it's likely this could have had something to do with the fact the car was brand new.

Its diesel engine proved a pleasing performer though - refined and noticeably quiet, though a lack of pulling power at low speeds in second gear felt slightly strange in a diesel unit.

Overall it is well engineered though and has the kind of agile handling befitting a more expensive saloon that shouts its sporting credentials from the rooftops.