HYUNDAI'S Getz supermini made between 2002 and 2009 offered a cheap alternative to everything from Europe, but was not quite as good.
The company has caught up now, but then its main attraction was excellent value for money.
Petrol engines started with a rather slow 62bhp 1.1 and then rose through 1.3 with 80bhp to 1.4 with 95bhp.
There was also a 1.5 three cylinder turbo diesel with 80 and then 87bhp
The Getz was available with three or five doors – go for five if you have kids or you’ll break your back getting them in.
It rolls a fair bit in the corners but still clings on very well and it has neutral, very safe balance.
The soft suspension means it rides well over all but the worst of surfaces and the power steering has a reasonable amount of feel.
The clutch is light, the five-speed gearchange easy and the 1.4 offers decent performance with economy.
Interior
It has a light, easy clutch, seat and steering column height adjustment, power steering and excellent brakes.
There’s space for four adults, a decent boot with folding back seats, and it comes with air con, alarm, side airbags and alloys on top of the more usual stuff.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai Getz1.4
Price: Pay about £2,800 at an independent dealer for an ’06 06-reg GSi five door, or £5,100 at a main dealer for a five door CDX
Mechanical: 95bhp, 1,399cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 11.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 47
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 141g/km
Main rival: Mitsubishi Colt