Thanks to the i30, Hyundai has moved away from the cheap-and-cheerful budget cars it used to be associated with. Aiming its sights on models like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, it looks modern and smart (if a little unexciting), comes with a generous amount of standard equipment and drives in a manner far superior to any previous Hyundai. There’s also a good range of petrol and diesel engines.

And when it comes to quality, Hyundai’s willing to put its money where its mouth is – the i30 comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. In 2010 the i30 was given a mid-life facelift with a new grille and new bumpers. A stop and start system was also made available as a cost option making it even more economical, while a low-powered diesel engine was added to the line-up.

Parkers top buying tips

As with all used purchases, do remember to get a car history check. It might just save you from an unpleasant surprise later down the line. Also, don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.