THE Hyundai Getz is a great supermini in most ways and a really good all-rounder at an affordable price.
It is not as good as the best, like the Nissan Micra or Mitsubishi Colt, but it's more practical, because for the same price, you get a three door Colt or a five door Hyundai.
I most recently drove the Getz 1.4 CDX five-door, which was top of the range and still only just over £9,000 new.
It comes with a perky engine which has plenty of power, but gets rather noisy when pressed even if acceleration is still pretty good.
Other engines are 1.1, 1.3 and 1.6 petrol or a 1.5 diesel.
All Getz models are easy to drive with good power steering, a light, easy clutch, seat and steering column height adjustment and excellent brakes.
They roll a little in the corners but still cling on gamely and have neutral, safe balance.
The ride is fair but speed humps and the ever present potholes have to be negotiated slowly.
Interior
The Getz has reasonable space for four adults and still has a decent size boot, with split, folding back seats to make it bigger.
Equipment in top models includes air conditioning, an alarm system and alloys and all get front and side airbags – something which is lacking in other small cars.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai Getz
Price: Pay about £4,300 for an ‘05 55-reg GSi 3dr, or £6,500 ‘07 07-reg CDX 5dr.
Mechanical: 95bhp, 1,399cc, 4 cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Max speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 11.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 47
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 141g/km
BIK rating: 15%
Marks: 8/10
Main rival: Vauxhall Corsa