Road test: Hyundai Getz

By Feann Torr

Just a handful years of ago, Hyundai was the toast of the town; its Excel selling like proverbial hotcakes. While the car was great value, bundled with one of the most competitive warranties in the Solar System, the wrinkles started to show as time wore on.

Hyundai took the Excel up a notch in the late 90s, with a bit of restyling and other goodies, resulting in the rather handy Accent. While it sold well in its segment, unfortunately it couldn't repeat the Excel's golden run.

Fast forward a couple of years and one of the most intriguing new models to emerge from Korea has broken cover, bringing with it one of the biggest advertising campaigns to boot. With a solid pricepoint, impressive features - such as airbag and air-con standard across the entire range - the new super-mini from Hyundai has all the hallmarks of the original Excel. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the vehicle.

Make: Hyundai
Model: Getz - FX
Price: $17,990 (as tested)
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Engine: 1.5-litre, Inline four-cylinder, 16 valves, electronically fuel injected
Fuel Consumption: City cycle - 7.0-litres/100km, Highway cycle - 5.0-litres/100km/h
Seats: 5
Safety: Driver and passenger SRS airbags (driver only in GL model), Euro NCAP 4 Star rating

Drive

Modernistic styling is pleasing to the eye

A far cry from the carburetorred Hyundai Excel that launched in Australia back in the late 80s, the Getz comes across as more than just cheap and cheerful.

For starters, the five-speed manual transmission in the FX model we drove, complete with faux-chrome finish, offered a wonderfully short throw and was never notchy; often a sign of an el-cheapo gearbox.

Rowing through the gears was far from a chore, but expect to be doing plenty of it, because at higher speeds the 1.5-litre inline four cylinder engine starts to strain.

Taking off from the traffic lights and stop-start traffic is a breeze, and while the engines nature dictates that it needs to be revved for best use of power, most will find it more than enough.

The ride was quite firm, but not to the point where the car would jolt about over small road imperfections. Nasty and rather large pot holes resulted in somewhat noisy thumps, but most cars (bar those from Germany) wouldn't fare much better.

In general, the ride is very smooth, with good level of grip in both wet and dry weather, with predictable, linear steering and excellent power-assisted brakes: Discs at the front and drums at the rear. It should be noted that later in 2003, all Getz models will be fitted with disc brakes front and rear.

Pushed hard, the Getz will get a little floaty through fast corners with less-than-perfect surfacing, but this is more due to its light weight and front-wheel drive as opposed to any glaring chassis problems. In fact, the chassis would have to be one of Hyundai's best yet - without a doubt - offering a linear and non-intimidating drive.

Getz: 2-door GL model - $13,990 with air

The top-of-the-range $17,990 FX model we drove had slightly stiffer suspension than the standard models and, as a result, changed direction like a demon. That said, most buyers of the Getz won't be trying to rival Schumacher and co.

At the end of the day, the Getz is a hassle-free car to drive that will be perfect for first car buyers and the young-uns who dig the 'super-mini' class of cars. The clutch is light, the gearing predictable and car does what you ask of it without protest.

Exterior

As far as the looks go, I really liked the Getz, and I'm more of a 'big' car lover, to be honest. Even so, I thought it won out over the Barina and Clio in terms of style, thanks largely to its taller stance which, in conjunction with a larger-than-average windscreen, allows for impressive forward visibility.

The tail-lights are very Euro-chic, which is unsurprising considering some 80 per cent of all Getz built are headed for the EU. The overall proportions of the vehicle are pleasing: not too radical too put the conservatives off, yet far from mundane to keep the important 18-26 year old demographic smiling.

Grille treatment is simple and unflustered and the headlights, while semi-cutesy, are pleasing nonetheless. The wheels-at-all-corners, typical of most super-minis, gives the vehicle more road presence than you'd think and that huge windscreen lends the car a fresh, free spirited feel.

The FX model we tested also gets additional front fog lights, 15-inch alloy mags and a roof spoiler over the entry-level GL model, adding to eye candy.

Interior

Stepping inside the 3-door FX model Getz we tested, it is evident that Hyundai has gone to great lengths to clean up its fit-and-finish credibility. When the Excel first appeared, it was affordable. It also had lots of rattles and dubious dash alignment.

The interior is uncluttered and and those dials are to die for

The Getz is a massive improvement compared to its originator, and is a nice place to be, for long and short trips. The seats are quite firm and, while at the same time supportive, perhaps Hyundai should take a look at how things are done at Peugeot.

Head and shoulder room up front was impressive - even for my 186cm frame, and while there's plenty of leg room with the front seats moved right back, the rear-seat passengers suffer.

While there isn't oodles of space in the back seats, it is quite roomy for such a tiddly car, testament to Hyundai's ever-evolving design protocol. On the upside, all three rear occupants get lap-sash belts, which is often a deciding factor for family buyers.

The boot is relatively small, with about 435-litres of space, but is more than enough for the shopping, and we even managed to fit a body-board in the boot for an afternoon at the beach. Better yet, fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and it opens up more room than you'd expect for a super-mini.

The Getz also comes packed with plenty of storage bins and extras such as the sunglasses pocket and take-away hook are the icing on the cake. It's evident Hyundai wants its younger customers back, and the Getz looks to be the perfect tool.

The instruments are laid out in a no-nonsense manner, and FX model had a delightfully sporty silver finish to the speedo and tachometer - some of the nicest we've seen. There's few gizmos and gadgets about the dash and the oblong air vents were cute. Everything is within easy reach and well labelled, making for a relaxed driving environment.

>> Page 2: Comfort & Handling, Engine, Extras, Overall