THERE ARE certain test drives that take you by pleasant surprise and Hyundai’s i30 Fastback should be included in that number.

When it was delivered to my door it not only caught my eye but that of curious neighbours! It was easy to see why with its roofline sloping away gently.

Electrically adjustable front seats allow you to get into a good driving position quickly, while the seats themselves are comfortable and supportive.

Facelifted towards the end of 2020, the rakish i30 Fastback was given sharper looks, thanks mainly to new headlights, and a new 158bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid hardware. It can get the i30 from 0-62mph in a decent 8.8 seconds and on to 130mph.

The ride took me by surprise. The N Line Fastback has received some updates to improve handling and it shows – stiffer, lower suspension helps make the car handle tidily. The car’s brakes are competent, too.

The boot has a capacity of 450 litres – 55 litres more than in the standard i30 and 20 litres more than some much more expensive rivals. It should be enough for most of your needs

London’s infamous bumps and imperfections were well absorbed by the chassis. Only on really dubious surfaces, taken at much higher or very low speeds, unsettled the car and it always feels well tied down.

Note that the i30 Fastback is available in one trim, N Line, which comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, twin exhausts, leather-trimmed steering wheel and handbrake, automatic lights and wipers with automatic full beam, privacy glass, electric folding door mirrors, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, upgraded Bluelink telematics system, 10.25in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital driver’s display.

OK the cabin won’t have you salivating but it is competent enough. Most of the areas you’ll touch regularly feel pleasant enough to your fingertips and the only notable area of scratchy plastics is around the handbrake. 

In terms of fit and finish, the i30 Fastback is impressive, with contrasting seat stitching, metal pedals and a sports steering wheel.

While the cabin took me to no great heights, this sporty looking set of wheels did tick a box or two in terms of practicality.

There’s an impressive amount of head- room in the front, and two very tall passengers will fit easily. Leg-room is generous and the interior is wide enough that no one will feel cramped. 

There’s also a good amount of storage for all of your bits and bobs, with doorbins that can easily hold a water bottle, an opening at the bottom of the centre console for your phone and a deep storage area in the central armrest. 

The rear seatbacks split 60/40 to fold down, but don’t slide or fold upwards to provide more space. You do get a ski hatch when you fold down the centre armrest, allowing you to easily carry long items.

The boot has a capacity of 450 litres – 55 litres more than in the standard i30 and 20 litres more than some much more expensive rivals. It should be enough for most of your needs.

On the safety front, every i30 Fastback comes with hill-start assistance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic alert system.

The entire package works for this correspondent bearing in mind the plethora of similar vehicles that are offered in today’s competitive market.

Price range: £25,960 – £27,410