Sector: Lower-medium Price: £19,295 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 110g/km

Hyundai’s second-generation i30 Tourer faces some of the broadest competition this segment has ever had to stand up to. Not only does it have to compete with established sales leaders from Ford and Vauxhall, but it has to fend off increasingly competitive crossovers and MPVs too.

In five-door form, the i30 looks, feels and drives like a two-generation advance over the already accomplished first-generation car. The same is true of the Tourer, which has matured from a worthy but slightly frumpy load carrier to a vehicle which looks like a subtly stretched version of the hatchback.

Yet it sacrifices nothing in load space. Boot volume, at 528 litres, isn’t far off an i40 Tourer with the rear bench upright. Fold the rear backrest, and it swells to 1,642 litres. Both figures are, surprisingly, greater than in the ix35.

It’s very versatile. A low load lip, compartments under the boot floor and a roofline which doesn’t drop off too steeply mean it’s easy to cram large objects in the back without too much fuss. However, handles to release the rear bench from the tailgate end of the boot would be useful, and the seats don’t fold completely flat, forming a slight ramp at the front end unless you tip the base upright. 

Equipment is generous even towards the low end of the range. The Active trim tested here is one level above the entry model, but includes all the basics a fleet driver would need – a USB input, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors, electric rear windows and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob are all desirable. Hyundai’s intuitive navigation system would be too, but is only optional on the grade above.