HYUNDAI'S reputation for reliability is so good that you will probably never have to use the remainder of the five year warranty if you buy a recent one secondhand.

The i30 hatch and estate built between 2012 and 2017 are roomy and practical family cars that came very close to the VW Golf and Ford Focus of the same era.

And they have been shown to be more reliable than both of them.

This was the second generation i30 and a big step forward, a stylish and good looking hatch with good space for four or five and a massive boot.

The engines are greener, the build quality inside and out is very good indeed and it comes with low insurance ratings too.

It also comes with a range of very smooth, quiet and efficient petrol and diesel engines.

Petrols are 1.4 and 1.6-litre with 98 and 118bhp respectively. The 1.4 covers the zero to 60 miles an hour sprint in 12.8 seconds and is capable of 46 miles per gallon, while the 1.6 gets to 60mph in 10.6 seconds and can average 44mpg.

Diesels start with a slow but very economical 1.4 with 88bhp that reaches 60mph in 13.1 seconds and is capable of 68mpg.

Then comes a 1.6 with either 108, 126 or 134bhp. The lowest powered has superb economy, managing an excellent 74mpg on the old government scale and it sprints to 60mph in 11.1 seconds.

The 126bhp models cover 0 to 60mph in 10.6 seconds and can also do a claimed 74mpg, but the economy king is also the most powerful. It gets to 60mph in just under 10 seconds and can do a brilliant 78mpg officially.

All are smooth, reasonably quiet, very economical and have plenty of power for the weight.

After 2015, the 1.6 diesel was available with a new seven-speed twin clutch automatic gearbox, replacing a six-speed previously available and giving better economy and quicker acceleration.

The clutch in manuals is light, the six-speed gearchange smooth and easy and the power steering has decent feel in the corners.

The ride is comfortable over just about every type of surface and although the handling is not quite as accomplished as the best in class it's very close behind and most owners would never notice because they don't throw cars around.

The level of standard equipment is excellent, with air-con, front electric windows, central locking, a good stereo and audio remote control on all models.

They also have an alarm, loads of airbags, heated electric mirrors, electric front windows, remote locking and traction control.

Mid-range SE Nav adds alloys, cruise control, rear electric windows, parking sensors and sat nav.

All hatches are five door models and the estate will cost about £500 more.

Pay about £6,200 for a '16 16-reg 1.6 CRDi Bluedrive Active, or £6,500 for a ‘15 15-reg 1.4 petrol SE Nav.