Hyundai Getz

One of the best aspects of my daily commute through London is driving past some of the capital's famous landmarks. I often vary my route just so I can fit in as many as possible; one of my favourites takes in Buckingham Palace and Whitehall, especially if they are changing the guard. There's also been a change in the long-term car I've been running - after only a few months, Hyundai has swapped our executive Sonata for its new-look Getz.

The Korean firm's supermini might not be as comfortable as the bigger, thirstier model, but it's far easier to negotiate through the city's congested streets. There's not a gap in the traffic that the Getz can't squeeze itself into.

My fuel bills have been squeezed, too, thanks to the 1.5-litre diesel engine. Now, I return 34mpg in town, compared to the Sonata's uneconomical 21mpg. The only downside is that I'm not getting as many Nectar points at my local BP station!

Performance hasn't been an issue with downsizing, though, as this hatch has a great turn of pace - and colleagues have commented on how punchy the 1.5 unit is. Even on the motorway, the car's speed is surprising. What's more, the dark grey metallic paint of OU55 HPA is really smart, while the redesigned nose, with new clear indicator lenses, gives a more sophisticated look.

Day-to-day, however, some things make the Getz frustrating to live with. There's no remote locking, so you have to open the doors manually, which becomes annoying. So, when you're laden with groceries, you have to put everything down to unlock the boot. Then, with the bags packed away, you walk round to the driver's side and are forced to use the key once again, as the central locking only activates when the main door is unlocked.

The car is also a bit basic inside. There are no electric mirrors, and you can't even specify them as an option. It's amazing how often you take such things for granted; these small luxuries make the whole driving experience so much easier.

The most irritating thing, though, is that the firm insists on putting the indicator stalk on the opposite side to every other maker. You get used to this in time, but many households swap between several cars. It is so infuriating (and hazardous) to think you're indicating and about to make a manoeuvre, only to find you've activated your wipers!

There's one other notable hazard in the Getz. Despite its small proportions, I have transported five inside in relative comfort. Yet while the rear's ceiling-mounted seatbelt feels fine for the central occupant, I've had to warn people to be careful when releasing it, as previously it hit another back passenger in the eye. Apart from that, there have been no major incidents to report - but I'll keep you updated if anything changes.

Second opinion

I was pleasantly surprised by the Getz. I don't think it's very exciting to look at - I am not a fan of sombre dark grey paint - and the cabin is about as basic as you can get, with some very dodgy plastics. However, the engine is great. It is so smooth you'd never guess it runs on diesel, and the little Hyundai goes like a bomb, startling other drivers both around town and on the motorway.
Sarah Bradley, deputy prod. editor