Although the smallest car in the Hyundai range, the Getz has certainly grown up a lot since the first models appeared in Oct 2002. Sporting a neater front grille and wrap around headlamps, this supermini has a cleaner and sportier appearance.
Add to that new wheel trims, alloy wheels and rear lights, the Getz has had an effective makeover which will make it more appealing to a wider market.
The interior has also had a few tweaks with new duotone fascia and redesigned instrument panels.
If the Getz has moved on visually, it’s the same progress on the engine front, where it gets a smoother, livelier and more refined 1.1 litre petrol engine. There’s also a willing 1.4 petrol to replace the old 1.3-litre, which is good for 100mph-plus and still returns 47mpg.
But the best news of all is the introduction of a 1.5-litre turbo charged diesel in a choice of either 87bhp or 109bhp. The less powerful of the two will certainly appeal to those seeking value as it qualifies for Band D road fund licence at just £85. If you want the fun factor go for the more powerful version which is genuinely quick, quiet and cuts trips to the pumps to a mininum with more than 60mpg.
Ride, handling and the gear change are now all well up with European rivals. The only minor criticism was the front seat comfort due to a minimal base and the steering on diesel models which felt a bit dead at low speeds.
And of course in typical Hyundai fashion, equipment levels are very generous indeed with the inclusion of air conditioning (excludes SE), making it the first and only supermini to have this fitted as standard across an entire range. There’s also electric windows, central locking, Radio/CD, power steering and ABS, even on the basic model too.
Throw in the industry leading five-year unlimited mileage warranty and three years’ free servicing (excludes SE), and you have all the ingredients for affordable trouble-free motoring.
Prices start at only £6995 for the 1.1 Special Edition, while the 1.4-litre is very competitive at only £7995.
Technorati Tags: Hyundai