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

Although launched only in 2007, Hyundai made significant interior and exterior revisions to their popular i30 range in 2011.

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

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

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

Both the 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol units became Euro 5 compliant, while revisions to the range's 1.6-litre 115bhp CRDi diesel unit helped cut emissions, thus saving drivers on road tax while extending service intervals to up to 20,000 miles.

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

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

For used car buyers, the revised oil-burning estate in standard Comfort trim is a pretty impressive machine.

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 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.

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

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

For this load-lugging family favourite, expect to pay between £6,135 and £8,355 for a 2011 11-plate 1.6-litre CRDi in Comfort trim with around 30,000 miles on the clock and from £6,720 to £9,155 for a similar one in Premium trim.

Move on a year to a 2012 12-plate version and you'll have to fork out between £7,310 and £9,745 for a low mileage example in Comfort spec, while the flagship Premium trim model will cost anything from £8,000 to £10,670.

However, should you opt for a used petrol model, then the above prices will be reduced by an average of £1,200.