2003 Hyundai Getz GL 1.3 from Malaysia

Summary:

Affordable style and practicality

Faults:

Rear brakes make a knocking sound after 5,000 kilometers.

Screeching sound from the engine when starting the in the morning.

General Comments:

Fairly agile and responsive in heavy traffic.

Smooth ride and stable up to 160km/h, which is impressive for a small car.

Excellent exterior design, but a bit too conventional for the interior.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2004

2003 Hyundai Getz GSi 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap motoring with little compromise

Faults:

I'm hoping I'm not going to jinx the car by saying this, but nothing has gone wrong. No rattles or squeaks.

General Comments:

I know that some people have complained about its bland looks, but I quite like it - looks on first glance like a Honda Jazz.

The interior is admittedly a bit plasticy, but the everything feels reasonably solid. The only downside to the interior are the seats. They could do with being a little longer in the seat cushion and offer a little more side support. Despite this, the car's still not bad for long trips - just take a break every hour and a half.

You'll have noted I marked the car high on performance. That's not because the engine propells the car to unthinkable speeds quickly (it doesn't). The high mark reflects the performance based on other 1.3l cars I've driven - on this basis, the Getz really is quite speedy.

On the economy front, I'm getting an average of 40.4mpg with mostly town driving.

Finally, for all those people who stick their noses up at the mention of Hyundai, let me tell you that they've come a long way. It won't kill you just to test one, and with 3yr servicing, RAC cover and 5yr warranty, it's probably not going to fall apart.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th April, 2004

2003 Hyundai Getz GSi 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good looking, good value town car

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with it.

General Comments:

The Getz is a huge leap forward for Hyundai, as the Focus was for Ford. The only 2 decents cars in Hyundai's range are the Getz and the new Coupe. Models like the Accent spoil the firms image.

Plus points about Getz:

*Excellent fuel economy from 1.3.

*Good looking especially from behind.

*Equipment given the price.

*Ergonomics/ clean layout.

*sound system

*Comfortable ride round town.

*interior assembly/construction.

*Standard speed adjustable intermittent front wipers.

*The indicator stalk being on the right instead of the left, ideal for right handed people (as most are). The only new car to do this, every car should.

Negative points about Getz:

*The interior is sturdy and well screwed together, but the plastics look and feel very cheap.

*Cramped 3-door up front.

*Tinny sound when doors close.

*Thin body can be pushed in easily with fingers.

*1.3 engine feels slower than the

0-62mph of 11.5 seconds figures suggest.

*Seat height adjustment should be standard

*Steering is very vague and wallowy, lacking in poise, no chance of accurate cornering. A shame as the grip is good.

Better than rivals such as the Daewoo Kalos and overpriced VW Polo, yes the VW Polo. VW's reputation is not that good when you read the reviews of the Golf's and Polo's on this site.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2004

24th Mar 2004, 13:39

I also agree with the so called reputation of VW and how the reputation has come about. I have read some terrible reviews on this website about them. The motoring press still praise them, but they only have them a short while.

These reviews are far more useful, written by people who have had the car for a longer period of time usually.

28th Mar 2004, 06:25

I agree with this review and the first added comment. The Getz is a very good town car, the ride is very smooth. What I really want to comment on is the comment on the VW Polo. VW's are good for: refinement, there is minimal noise from the road, wind and engines. They also score highly for their solid look and sophisticated equipment levels, but that's it! In terms of drive, they are stodgy, styling is bland, except for Phaeton, Lupo and Touraeg, and reliability is merely middling. Don't be fooled by the historic perception of excellent build/reliability, it is a myth. It is like saying the Fiat Multipa is elegant! Older VW's are much better for reliability.

18th Sep 2004, 01:41

Getz is a great car. It's easy to drive, to park and the most important thing is it's much cheaper than the VW Polo. My first car was a Polo and I have to say it's a very good car, but the handling is poor. For a small car, Getz is one of the best. It looks good and goes well. Quiet and smooth.

29th Jul 2005, 11:46

I've recently purchased a 1.3 GSI Getz and I am thrilled with it. Prior to this I looked at and test drove the Fiat Punto and Peugeot 106. In my view the Getz made much better sense as a new car to buy because of it's quality of ride, equipment levels and of course the price! It also looks pretty neat too! Resale values are also very competitive against most other small cars.