Hyundai i30 Tourer estate (2012-2017)

The Hyundai i30 Tourer is one of the best estate cars on the market, leading the way on price and practicality. Its only real downsides are its unexciting performance and an unglamorous badge.

The Hyundai i30 Tourer is a family estate car based on the excellent Hyundai i30 hatchback. Introduced to compete with established rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf estate and Ford Focus estate, it certainly gives these more upmarket brands a run for their money.

When the i30 hatchback was introduced in 2007, it was a budget alternative to more established models. A redesign in 2012 improved it enormously, raising its game but also raising its price – it now competes with entry-level and mid-range Ford Focus models.

Standard equipment is strong on the i30 Tourer. Even the entry-level car, which looks and feels quite basic otherwise, comes with a Bluetooth phone connection, steering-wheel stereo controls and daytime running lights.

We’d recommend the mid-range versions rather than either the cheap entry-level car or the expensive Premium models. Remember that the Hyundai i30 Tourer will depreciate faster than offerings from brands such as Ford and VW.

The engines available in the i30 Tourer are neither clean nor powerful, but they’re reasonably efficient and pull the car along at an adequate pace. If you want a better driving experience, the excellent Ford Focus estate offers livelier engines and more exciting handling for not much more money.

The automatic gearboxes available in the Hyundai range are adequate, especially the newer DCT introduced in 2015, but the six-speed manual gearbox is superior in terms of both driver control and fuel economy.

One of Hyundai’s main selling points, and a key feature of the i30 Tourer, is the five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. This level of peace-of-mind, coupled with the i30’s long service intervals and Hyundai’s generous pre-paid servicing package, makes the Tourer an excellent car to own.

The Hyundai i30 Tourer isn’t quite as efficient as its hatchback counterpart, but CO2 emissions and fuel economy are more than adequate whichever engine you choose.

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The i30 starts from £16,895. This is for the entry-level Hyundai i30 S with a 118bhp, 1.6-litre petrol engine and manual transmission. This is a relatively inefficient model with lacklustre performance, however – most people would probably prefer the larger diesel engine. In basic S trim, this will cost £18,295.

The mid-range SE trim is a popular choice and costs from £18,195 for that same 118bhp petrol engine – or £18,995 if you want it with an automatic gearbox. The diesel engine in SE trim costs £19,595 – a popular choice combining good fuel economy with good standard equipment.

The i30’s engine range is comparable to others in the class, but those seeking an exceptionally frugal diesel estate should look to the Skoda Octavia.