ROAD TEST Hyundai Getz: It may not be a design dream, but the Getz hits many good gimmick-free notes. MICHAEL McALEER was quietly impressed
Hyundai has chosen to throw down the gauntlet this Christmas to its European competitors in one of the most competitive market segments in Ireland: the superminis.
So, can the Koreans cut the pace? Those who snigger or dismiss the marque off-hand should consider its strong impact in the coupé and 4x4 market, with the Coupe and Santa Fe. But can Hyundai's Getz really take on the likes of the Peugeot 206, VW Polo and Toyota Yaris?
There's no escaping the fact this is a Korean design to European specifications. Hyundai deserves credit for trying, but in design terms it has a way to go to catch the likes of the Citroën C3.
The Getz comes at a time when two major supermini marques are set to launch chic spin-off designs, the C3 Pluriel and Ford's StreetKa. And, from Nissan, the new Micra is set to offer more fun and frivolous European styling, when it gets its Irish launch this week.
Hyundai has played safe and opted for bland rather than boisterous and this may act against it in the European markets. Yet looking at the package as a whole, the car is a real competitor with ample room and a level of specification as standard that makes it a serious challenger.
Second only to the small family saloons, superminis make up 22.8 per cent of the Irish market and the market shares are pretty evenly distributed among the European marques, with the Fiat Punto in first place with about 17 per cent.
The Punto sold 5,400 units to September this year. The Getz has a target figure of 2,000, pretty substantial first-year hopes given economic conditions. You can see how important a good Getz result could be for the future fortunes of Hyundai here. The same is true on the continent.
So what about the Getz? Well, as we've said, design is not on a par with many other superminis. It lacks the individuality which other designers are bringing to the segment. It gets lost in the crowd too easily. One wag suggested that alarms should be fitted as standard, not for security reasons but so you can find your car in a busy car park.
However, while many marques move to capture the youth end of the segment, a large proportion of the supermini audience places appearance well down a wish list dominated by issues such as space, economy and comfort.
These are what really count to the more utilitarian motorist. And, in all these respects, the Getz is a serious challenger.
We drove the three-door version with a 1.3-litre 82-bhp engine, aimed directly at the entry-level 1.3-litre Ford Fiesta. This, however, is the middle of the Getz range which also features an economical 1.1-litre 64-bhp and a 1.6-litre 105-bhp unit. We have also had the opportunity to drive these other engine options as well. A 1.5-litre diesel unit will also be available.
The big hitter will undoubtedly be the 1.1-litre.
Overall, we found the Getz to be very easy to drive. Controls are light and the gearbox is soft and smooth. In fact, the entire driving experience is pliant and only the slightly harsh engine note disturbs this feeling of ease. Savings were clearly made in soundproofing, but it's no noisier than we found recently in the Fiesta.
It's a gentle car, gentle on its owner's pocket. The ride is also smooth on regular city centre surfaces, though some of our road conditions were obviously not factored into the design at Seoul.
Cornering and long motorway runs are not its strength, but that's not to say it can't handle the quick spin from Derry to Cork to visit granny - though I wouldn't fancy it myself on our current road network. Overall, as a town run-around the light handling and ride make it perfectly amenable. Huge doors in the three-door model allow easy access for driver and passenger.
Inside, the Getz seems has a Tardis-like ability to defy physics. It has the feel of a much larger car, perhaps even bordering towards Honda Jazz territory for space and headroom.
The high roof means it really does have room for four and, although space is at a premium, you're not bruising each other trying to stretch out. All five seats get headrests.
There is ample storage space in the door pockets and handy cubby-holes in the side armrests. There are also various little storage spots such as a tray under the steering column, rear-seat back hooks for shopping and trays and undertray in the boot.
So, to the all-important boot. It's deep and, thanks to double-folding rear seats, can offer up to 977 litres of space - enough golf clubs and shopping, so long as nobody is in the back.
Ergonomically, the fascia finish remains strictly functional and mimics the Terracan. Like many Japanese cars, it has indicators and lights on the left-hand stalk and wipers on the right. If you're coming from a European model, you may find yourself signalling a right turn with a quick swish of your wiper.
HYUNDAI has not tried to win ground with gimmicky extras. Instead it has approached the project of providing a budget-priced motor with a highly useful standard specification. Hyundai strategy has long been budget prices, driveaway deals and then adding features and equipment.
So, instead of chasing after high-end interior design and fancy upholstery, owners get a generous safety package with ABS, two front airbags and three-point rear seat-belts as standard. Thanks to ABS, the Getz has a stopping distance from 60-0mph of 40.3 metres.
Even the more comfort-derived specification is all part of the daily tools of the modern motorist, such as electric windows and mirrors, and central locking.
Sadly, the stereo is the same that features throughout the Hyundai range in Ireland, with the tiny buttons that drives you to dementia. How will proud buyers of new Coupes feel about getting the same stereo system as the Getz.
The Getz offers a competitive package starting at just €12,995 for the economical 1.1-litre, which comes close to that all-important 50mpg marker. There may be issues with residual values, but it's hard to beat the purchase price.
We only wish now that Hyundai Ireland would follow its British counterpart and offer Irish motorists five-year warranties. Then the Getz really could find itself top of the supermini pile.
This is not for sports car enthusiasts and, despite the 1.6-litre offering, we can't really imagine a GTi version of this car hitting the market. In design terms alone it would require a serious makeover.
But as a second car for shopping, the school run, the Getz makes a compelling case for itself.