Hyundai Getz 1.4 Gsi
A STEP UP THE KOREA LADDER
Hyundai’s Getz 1.4 Has What It Takes To Carve A Place For Itself In The Ultra Competitive Supermini Sector. Andy Enright Reports
Ask most people about Hyundai and they’ll associate the company with small cars. Although the Korean marque has diversified into 4x4s, executive saloons and coupes, it’s still best known for economical hatches. All of which makes it hard to believe that the Hyundai Getz represents their first foray into the supermini sector.
Yes, we’ve had tiny Citycars like the Atoz and the Amica and we’ve had larger mid-range hatches like the Accent and its dim, distant and aptly named predecessor the Pony but the lucrative supermini sector was one that Hyundai chose to ignore. Why? Part of the answer may have been the heat of the competition. The other was that no existing Hyundai chassis platform was the right size for the job. A whole new car would have to be expensively developed. Therefore it was no good embarking upon this course of action until they were confident of producing a genuinely competitive product.
The Getz represents just that product. Examined here with the modern 1.4-litre petrol engine and GSi trim, it’s a car that appeals on many levels. The £8,117 sticker price will attract what many perceive to be Hyundai’s core market – bargain conscious mature buyers. Those are the easy sales. What marks this car out as such a landmark small Hyundai is the fact that it will cross boundaries and appeal to car buyers who’d never even considered a Hyundai. The neat good looks are pert enough to attract younger buyers looking for a cute urban runabout and the current facelifted look with the wraparound headlamps raises the car’s visual game further.
The 1.4-litre engine is available in GSi or CDX trim and it’s unlikely that customers will feel short changed. The engine uses a modern four-valve per cylinder configuration and continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) for improved efficiency and responsiveness. Performance from the 81bhp unit is fairly brisk, hitting 60mph in a blink over 11 seconds on the way to a top speed of 106mph. Fuel consumption is predictably good, the Getz managing a combined economy figure of some 47mpg. Of course, fuel economy is only a part of the total running cost of any car with other factors such as depreciation and service costs also contributing but the Getz fairs well on these scores too.
"The Getz will cross boundaries and appeal to car buyers who’d never even considered a Hyundai."
Designed with the European market in mind, the Getz was first unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. The styling is Euro-look clean without being boring, devoid of the fussiness that mars many small cars. Hyundai has done its homework, realising that around 80% of worldwide appetite for sophisticated superminis is accounted for by Europe. Derived from the Clix sports car concept, the chassis and suspension of the Getz has been designed from the outset to provide a fun drive. Another advantage of that wheel-at-each-corner design is that internal space is optimised. The high roofline and tapering waistline of the car give a pleasantly airy feel.
Versatility is a big feature of the Getz. The rear seat is a case in point. As well as sliding to allow for more legroom or more boot space, the bench seat can recline and split in a conventional 60/40 fashion. Unlike many rivals who only offer a split rear backrest, the Getz offers additional utility by splitting the cushion too, allowing for all sorts of novel configurations. One of the downsides of such a system is often a compromise on safety, but Hyundai’s designers have ensured that all three rear seats are fitted with proper three point belts. Up front the seat belts are fitted with pretensioners and are adjustable for height. Twin front airbags are a welcome feature and it’s worth bearing in mind that there are plenty of cars that cost twice the Getz’s asking price that don’t offer such a provision. Electronic brakeforce distribution and anti-lock brakes are also standard on every model.
At 3800mm long, the Getz is simplicity itself to park and the 1660mm width makes it easy to slot through gaps in city traffic. Despite these compact dimensions, it’s realistic transport for five, as long as the five in question aren’t rugby league players. As well as being spacious, the Getz is also easy on your conscience. Around 89% of the car is said to be recyclable, which may well be a record in this class. Equipment levels are relatively good with the 1.4-litre GSi being fitted with air-conditioning, a CD player, central locking and electric windows as standard.
The Hyundai Getz 1.4 GSi isn’t the most technologically advanced supermini you can buy and nor is it even the cheapest. What it does represent is a thoroughly modern and well engineered car at a very competitive price. The fact that here is a small Hyundai where the sticker price is not the key attribute marks something of a watershed for the Korean company. No longer can we damn with faint praise the fact that it’s good for a Hyundai. The Getz 1.4 GSi is good full stop.
