HYUNDAI was cock-a-hoop when its latest supermini was voted Britain's Budget Car of the Year.
And just when everyone thought that was as good as it gets, the Getz has just got better. A three cylinder 1.5-litre diesel engine has made the Getz even more frugal.
Capable of averaging almost 60 miles to the gallon and with ultra low CO2 emissions, the latest Getz has "bargain" stamped all over it.
Okay, the engine may not meet the latest Euro 4 emission standard but that is not going to bother most private motorists.
At £8,695 the Getz CRTD GSi - a bit of a mouthful admittedly - is one of the cheapest diesels on the market.
Only Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen can beat that price and none of them can match Hyundai's five year, unlimited mileage, peace of mind warranty.
Neither can Ford whose class leading Fiesta does not come with diesel power until you spend £9,615 - and that's for a three door model, not a five door as is the Getz.
This is a remarkable achievement from the South Korean manufacturer and in an attempt at a knockout blow, the Getz diesel is available with three years free servicing for cars bought before the end of March - if you don't exceed 30,000 miles.
Despite being available only in basic trim, the Getz is surprisingly well appointed. Electric front windows, twin airbags, a CD player and anti-skid brakes are all standard.
The diesel may not be the quietest engine around but it does the job supremely well for a city car. It develops 80bhp and that gives the Getz a reported top speed of 106mph and a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of 16.5 seconds.
However the gears are long legged and that sees most urban work achievable only in third. Fourth is not on the cards until about 40mph and fifth is really only for the open road.
That is an unusual experience in a small car but it does not appear to interfere with fuel consumption.
Inside it is well finished. Any reputation some Far Eastern car makers have had for being tacky is disappearing fast and the Getz has an attractive facia broken up by some clever use of angles and different textures in the moulding.
A high roof line makes for good head room all round - although leg space in the back is relatively tight. Luggage space at ten cubic feet - 35 maximum - is par for the course in this class of car.
This particular car also boasted a 45 watt Sony stereo system and that will appeal to younger buyers.
Although this car has central locking there is no remote release and that can be a bit of an inconvenience, especially when approaching the vehicle when you are laden down with shopping bags.
Apart from that - and the lack of air conditioning - there is little to fault with the Getz.
This is a five door hatch that really is worthy of its budget buy accolade. It's cheap to buy, cheap to keep on the road and if you are clever all you will have to pay is tax, fuel and insurance for the next three years - beat that.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai Getz CRTD GSi
Price: £8,695
Mechanical: 80bhp, 1,493cc, 3cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via a 5spd manual gearbox
Max Speed: 106mph
0-60mph: 16.5secs
Combined mpg: 58.9
Insurance Group: 5
CO2 emissions: 127g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs antirust