Hyundai Getz

The Getz offers lots of room, is well equipped and impressively designed. It's a strong budget supermini.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
For : Practical, spacious and smart interior, class-leading five-year warranty
Against : Disappointing performance, high seating position, depreciation

Driving:
Through the corners, the Getz is capable and safe. It has a tendency to push its nose wide and understeer earlier than you perhaps would like, but body roll is well controlled. However, the steering weights up while the Getz is cornering and seems particularly dead when you apply more lock. It's stable under braking despite a soft pedal, and offers a light, easy gearbox that's compromised by a long clutch pedal travel and high biting point. Petrol engines are smooth in town but can become whiney when pressed; the diesel, in contrast, is very refined at all times, and one of the smoothest in its sector.

Marketplace:
Designed with the European market firmly in mind, the Getz is a conventional but smartly designed supermini that was facelifted in 2005. Three- and five-door bodystyles are offered, from a smallish but well-judged model line-up. Hyundai knows what its customers want and therefore does its best not to confuse matters. The 1.4-litre engine is strong but the 1.5-litre diesel is excellent, if more expensive. All Getz are well stocked, which helps them compete with the Kia Rio, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza.

Owning:
Detailing is tidily executed and the Korean company has succeeded in making the Getz feel more upmarket inside than you might expect. All-round packaging and practicality is good. In the rear, it has lots of legroom, and is a feasible carrier for three thanks to a wide rear bench, lots of shoulder room and three full seatbelts and head restraints. The seatback has two positions - reclined for relaxed passengers outright to maximise load space. The boot is big too, and the split-fold rear seats create a large, flat load area. Space is adequate in the front, and the seating position comfortable, if somewhat high. Quality is good and equipment levels high, while a low kerbweight helps boost economy - particularly from the impressive four-cylinder turbodiesel. The five-year warranty is also fantastic, though higher levels of depreciation than some rivals dents the Korean's appeal a little.