What it getz you?. Review on Hyundai Getz

Updated on 27-Sep-04

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Here are some more inputs you all might find useful on getz, this is based on a visit to Hyundai dealer and a test drive -

Interiors quality is not the best especially the dashboard and plastic trim all around. Looks really cheap for the price. Seats are comfortable and have long back support upfront but are average at the back. Space inside is okay for a 6 feet adult but not if you sit behind the driver's seat with it pushed fully back. But the space is better than an ikon or even an accent at the back especially due to the seating arrangement with good knees support and you do not sit with ''knee up'' position which is good. Luggage space is good but dont expect it to carry a international full-size suitcase as the width of the load area is not much.

Exteriors of getz are average from all angles but it looks nice from the back expecially. It does give you better road presence than most hatchbacks barring palio. The car ginerates a false sense of being not so spacious from inside but which it is. In all the proportions are good along aspect ratios. Having said that looks of this car are not meant to kill.

Driving experience - The car feels solid to drive and stable at most speeds but it does feel like there is a lot of load engine has to pull so it is not so punchy (as claimed by hyundai in those ads) as the others in the competition. There is a positive and linear feedback from the steering which feels nice and balanced. There is some power drawn from engine upon switching on the AC and the pickup suffers a bit.

Gearbox is probably the best part of getz and it is ideally placed and are smooth, but you need to first get used to it.

Brakeswere good on the test car I drove but it was fairly new being just launched. As for ABS they are offered only on front wheels (yes it is an option and will cost you 4.99 ex-showroom delhi along with alloy wheels)

I would still keep my rating as it is today on this car, since the value for money factor is still absent for the price offered on this car at any trim level.

Review written on 21-Sep-04

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I have gone through the various sites during last one month to find out about getz and finally when it was launched in India I was expecting same if not more than what is provided here in india compared to uk/australian counterpart. And at the price (4.5 for base, 4.75 for higher model) if you compare the features you would be at first tempted to at least visit the hyundai showroom.

But when one is about to spend such an amount for a compact car, second thoughts must be given and perhaps that is the reason I have not been to hyundai showroom so far (but I have seen and read lot of reviews on this car and last week there was a CNBC autocar review on TV)

I would not be able to write anything specific about the cars performance and handling etc but would like to share my thoughts because I am sure that there are lot many people out there like me who are looking for a first change from the good old M800. So here it goes -

1) I was unable to justify my decision on going for getz when I can have an ikon flair which is more refined with the new 1.3 ROCAM engine with 70ps (good enough for city driving), more safer, better handling (less body roll) and 3-box version. Though there are downside too for ikon (as with any other car) like less fuel efficiency, shape, limited stowage inside cabin

2) I have read that there is a lot of understeer (body roll) in corners especially at high speeds and without ABS as standard things can go out of shape for getz which is not the case for ikon

3) The fact that hyundai cars do not sell well outside of india in the western market is a food for thought, it is difficult to trust such brands which have bad name in terms of build quality, technology and safety aspects. We as indian tend to ignore safety which is a first concerns in any western country mainly because of the road conditions there permit driving at high speeds and hence the more risk. But the commercial vehicles that ply on our city roads are most dangerous than anywhere else in the world due to the driving style

4) Finally I would like to mention what is taken out of standard equipment from the indian launch (higher version GLS) as compared to uk/australia - airbags, ABS, electric side view mirrors, CD player, height adjustable drivers seat, rear adjustable head restraints, headlight beam adjustment, headlights on warning apart from other minor things

At the end I am still unclear what car I would go for and looks like some wait is worth for ford fusion (of course it is going ot be expensive than getz and probably less fuel efficient too since most likely it would have 100ps on the tap). But if spending a few thousands more can get you a better car then it is worth.

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