Road test: Hyundai Getz

Comfort and Handling

The steering wheel is adjustable by tilt only, but together with the drivers seat controls (notably absent for the front passenger seat) even my six-foot frame found the driving position comfortable.

Getz: 5-door GL model - same dimensions as two door models - just with shorter doors

Furthermore, the seating position, while far from the lofty 4x4 standards, felt a little higher than most sedans and hatches and offers good visibility.

The power-assisted steering is light and, combined with the Getz' small size, it made parallel parking a hassle-free event. It has a 10-metre turning circle diameter between kerbs and an easy-on-the-arms 2.9 turns, lock-to-lock.

Driving through traffic was a cinch, and changing lanes is simple enough, thanks to the cars short 3.8 metre length and good rear-ward visibility.

The suspension is tuned more for comfort than flat-out fanging, which is probably a good thing. In general, the Getz offers a nice balance, with good comfort levels, but also decisive cornering ability. The only quibble we had with comfort was with the lack of even hinge-opening rear windows - though the five-door model would remedy this.

Engine

The 1.5-litre DOHC mill is a revvy little blighter, putting some 74kW of power to the front wheels @ 5800rpm, hitting a rather soft rev-limiter @ 6500rpm, though the power drops off significantly after 6000rpm.

First gear is a bit of a non-event, topping out at roughly 50km/h, but will come in handy for heavy loads and Everest-like inclines. The 0-100km/h dash is completed in a claimed 10.3 seconds, which felt about right. Top speed in the manual is quoted at 180km/h, but going downhill (with a tail wind), 200 kays is possible.

Second gear, however, and the following two, have lovely ratios, with second able to hit 100km/h. Fifth gear is essentially the 'fuel-saving' gear, and the Getz is an amazingly thrifty hatch. Weighing just 984kg, this helps improve acceleration, and also reduce fuel consumption - two birds with one, err, reduction.

Getz: 2-door FX model - alloys and fog lights

Peak torque of 133Nm kicks in @ a low 3200rpm, providing a usable and lively power band between 3000rpm and 6000rpm. When pushed hard, there is a hint of torque steer, but a lot less than we expected.

Extras

In addition to the obligatory cup holders, a rather groovy ash-tray can be placed in one of them, or removed for those who don't smoke.

The standard stereo in all Getz models is a four-speaker job, though the FX model we tested included splitters (tweeters) up front and single-disc, dash-mounted CD player. The acoustics were pretty spiffy, with little distortion at high volume and good clarity.

The range-topping FX model came with cloth trimmed seats, floor mats front and rear, air-con, electric windows and mirrors, 60:40 split fold rear seats, drivers seat lumbar adjust, auto-off headlights and remote central locking (with auto locking). The base model GL Getz forgoes much of this, but keeps the air-con and, at just $13,990 (reduced from $14,990) with Hyundai's impressive 5 year, 130,000km warranty, represents good value.

Overall: 3.5/5

Compared the outgoing Accent, the new Getz is far less conservative in appearance. Hyundai wants to win back the hordes of youngsters who flocked to the Excel, and as a result of the styling alone, it will surely achieve this.

But more than just Euro-looks, the Getz is actually quite an accomplished runabout, making both highway and city driving a breeze. It's a joy to park, is thrifty with the fuel and with a base price of $13,990 drive-away, with air-con (GL model), Hyundai has hit the nail on the head. Futhermore, the new hatchback has received the equal lowest insurance rating in the small car class by NRMA Insurance - Australia’s largest automotive insurer.

While Daewoo now has the technical (not to mention financial) know-how of General Motors, the fight for the lower end of the car market is well and truly on. The successor to the Daewoo Lanos, rumoured to be the upcoming Kalos, will need to be quite special to pip the Getz as the budget-buy king.

Fit and finish has improved, interior detailing is well above par and that gearbox probably won't be appreciated by many. Something like the Getz wouldn't have been possible just a few years ago, so it's mission accomplished for Hyundai.

We Expect the Getz to give other Euro-style hatches, such as the Barina and Echo, a terrific run for their money, and early sales figures - placing the Getz at the top of the light-car segment in the latter months of 2002 - suggest Hyundai is off to a good start.

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