These days there are few new cars which prompt a gasp from me, but the third generation Toledo from Seat, when it was introduced early last year, was certainly one of them. Few successor models could have been redesigned to look so radically different to their predecessors – and not just because the line-up sees the provision of a hatch that the mark II didn’t have.

Clearly, special attention was devoted to the styling at the back, this perhaps prompted by the impact made by the current Megane and Astra models, but truly every exterior aspect of the new Seat demands attention.

From a superbly designed mesh and chrome frontage, the bodylines sweep beautifully backwards and downwards towards the square tailgate beneath which no less than 500 litres worth of boot space is always available – and that’s before you do anything with the 60:40 back seat squab.

With the rear seats folded flat and the security cover removed you can almost treble that capacity and there are useful hooks and nets to secure whatever you are carrying. In addition there are more than 30 other assorted storage facilities around the car. The huge boot has also enabled the designers to specify a huge rear window which enhances visibility.

Tank-like was how one or two of my passengers put their initial impression into words during the test period. That might sound derogatory but they were evenly divided on whether that was good or bad.

In the 20 months since the car has been available, I have to say that not all that many seem to have appeared on our roads – but this is a vehicle well worth checking out for the practicalities within its robust shell.

The specification grades are called Reference and Stylance and power options are 1.6 litre petrol and 1.9 and 2.0 litre turbo diesel; collectively they offer the difference of nearly 50 horsepower.

Five and six speed manual gearboxes are complemented by a six speed DSG autoshift which offers the facility of quicker automatic changes by way of a unit that’s made up of two three-speed boxes.

The test car was the 2.0 TDI DSG which costs £17,565 and this model is distinguished by five spoke 16 inch alloy wheels and it boasts masses of active safety features.

An electronic stability programme measures the effectiveness of the brakes on each wheel at a given moment and adjusts the force automatically. The ABS braking system is supported by electronic brake force distribution and traction control and there are front, side and curtain airbags to cocoon all on board should the worst happen. You also get a secure feeling from that vast ‘tank’ frontage.

Other attributes include a ‘get me home’ function for the lights, front fog lamps, electrically adjustable door mirrors with a park function, green tinted glass which is darker at the rear, dual-zone climate control, all round electric windows, audio equipment linked to eight speakers and which includes an MP3 player, cruise control and a leather covered steering wheel.

All of this builds on the entry Reference, costing £12,665, which uses the 1.6 petrol engine only and has body coloured bumpers, electrically adjustable headlights, air conditioning, two 12 volt power outlets, a fully adjustable steering wheel, an immobiliser and clear instrumentation that includes a rev counter. At night, the instrumentation glows a vivid red.

The Volkswagen Group Pumpe Duse engine generates just under 140 horsepower at 4,000 revs and is credited with a top speed of 125 miles an hour. The zero to 60 mph dash is achieved in just 10 seconds. The windscreen wipers, incidentally, tuck beautifully out vision into the side pillars when they aren’t being activated. These sweep in opposite directions and one can’t help feeling that one day they’ll collide! A spacesaver wheel is preferred to a full-sized spare.

This is a practical family car with stunningly original lines. It’s taking a while to catch on but it grew on me within a week.