2003 Hyundai Getz CDX Automatic review from UK and Ireland

At about 9,000 miles, it 'stuttered' (lost power) on my commute one morning, and the 'engine check' light came on. However, it picked up again after a couple of seconds and has been OK since.

There is an occasional creak from the nearside dash / wheel-arch area which I cannot trace. Annoying, but not that bad!

Neither reported to dealer - you know they won't believe you, don't you?!

Inoffensive, modern-looking exterior. Smooth, easy shape to clean!

Interior about what you'd expect - some cheap-looking plastics, but all works well. Good stereo, and some nice little touches, like the headlights that switch off when you exit the car - you can't leave them on accidentally.

Roomy, but with a word of caution: If you want the auto (like me), and the dealer doesn't have one in stock, make sure you test-drive a manual CDX with factory sunroof. This sunroof - which isn't even a proper one - steals headroom to the extent that even I find it tight (I'm 5'10"). Yes, the seat adjusts (nicely) for height, but it's as low as it'll go! So make sure you fit before you buy! I didn't, because I didn't know about the sunroof issue, and it's the only aspect of this car with which I am really dissatisfied.

Also, the clutch footrest (?!) is huge. I removed it!

Otherwise, adequate space for people and luggage (for a supermini).

Power-wise, with 4-up there isn't much! Much worse than my old Suzuki Ignis, but that car was over 400lb lighter, so it's obviously a power-to-weight ratio thing. It's OK provided you're usually alone or only carry one passenger, and you're not in a hurry!

Mpg has improved from poor to reasonable in 10,000 miles. Around 32mpg on my commute (see below), over 40mpg at 60mph cruise, approaching that at motorway speed.

The auto box is quiet, smooth and impressive. Takes about 7-8 miles to warm up enough to change into top, which is a very high gear. About 27/28mph per 1000rpm. Also doesn't hit that top gear much under 50mph, so sometimes never gets into it on my commute (14 miles). But you wouldn't know it - the car is quiet provided you don't hammer it. And if you want to hammer it, you don't buy an automatic Getz, do you?!

I find it handles and rides well, provided the tyres are not inflated to car-dealer levels (40-plus psi...!!!). 30psi all round seems about right. The steering's quick, and the car's easy to place on the road.

Don't suppose residuals are up to much, and as I paid 10k for what is perceived as a budget car, I'm not expecting much in Dec.2006. However, I'll have had free servicing, and the 5 year warranty might help a bit. I'd expect to get £3k - 3.5k, which is no better or worse than various other similar cars.