If ever a single model has worked wonders in uplifting a motor vehicle brand in South Africa, Hyundai’s Getz is the one. The 1,6 litre variants were launched in this country at the beginning of 2003, with the 1,3 litre version following soon after, and our roads are now awash with the little cars. Now the three cylinder common rail diesel engined 1,5 CRDi is here, and it promises to harvest even more market share for the Korean manufacturer, thanks to sharp looks, budget pricing and high specification levels.
The diesel Getz provides formidable opposition to the Citroen C3 1.4 HDi, the Renault Clio 1.5 DCI, the Corsa 1.7 TDi and the Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDi. The Getz, at 60 kW, is claimed to have more power than any of these cars, and is surpassed only by the Volkswagen in terms of torque, with 191 Nm as opposed to the VW’s 195. The Korean car also shines in terms of equipment level, with central locking and an immobiliser / transponder, a height adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, air-conditioning, electric windows front and rear, a radio/CD player, electric side mirrors, twin airbags, disc brakes all round with ABS, a roof spoiler and alloy wheels being standard on the little diesel.
The Hyundai comes with a 2 year / 40 000 km service plan as well as a three year / 100 000 km factory warranty and a five year rust warranty. At R129 995 the Getz should do very well in South Africa.