Hyundai Getz

By Ross Pinnock

October 2005

• Rating:

The range-topping model is badged as the CDX+, and is available in three-door form only. From the outside it has the same new bonnet, headlights, bumpers and alloy wheels as the rest of the refreshed line-up. However, the flagship gains a discreet boot spoiler.

Inside, the top model comes with a silver metal effect centre console,as well as colour-coded seat panels which complement the smart leather-wrapped steering wheel.

With 109bhp and 235Nm of torque, the new engine is more than up to the job of powering the Getz, and the dash from 0-60mph takes only 11.1 seconds. That makes the new CRDi a tenth-of-a-second faster than the 95bhp petrol 1.4 - although it doesn't reveal how much quicker the diesel is in real world driving.

Impressively quiet at idle, the 1.5-litre powerplant pulls cleanly from 2,000rpm. Once underway, there's a decent amount of torque on offer. Merging with motorway traffic and overtaking is completed with the minimum of fuss, and even at faster speeds the Getz has plenty of go in reserve.

All-round disc brakes ensure the car can stop in good time, too, and the five-speed manual gearbox is light and pre-cise. Yet while the suspension gives a smooth ride, the handling is disappointing; there's too much body roll.

Viewed as an economical runaround with strong aftersales support, the Getz makes more sense. But you can get the same engine underneath the bonnet of the new five-door Kia Rio for less. The sister car of the Hyundai is also bigger inside, so if you're after a practical supermini, the Kia is the better bet.

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