Hyundai Getz

Marketing and production

After being revealed as a concept car at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, under the Hyundai TB name, the Getz had its world premiere at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed at Hyundai's European engineering center in Frankfurt, Germany, and was released in three and five-door hatchback body styles.

The Hyundai Getz was manufactured at the factory in Ulsan, South Korea, between 2002 and 2011, and at the Hyundai Motor India factory in Chennai, India, between 2004 and 2009. It was also assembled for the local markets in Barcelona, Venezuela (MMC Automotriz), in Kulim, Malaysia (Inokom) and in Taipei, Taiwan (SYM Motors).

Facelift

In the autumn of 2005, the facelifted version of the Getz was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It gained new front and rear styling, with rounded headlights and a redesigned grille, as well as a new 1.5-litre diesel engine option (in Europe) and a new 1.4-litre petrol engine, upgraded dash and interior fascia and trim.

In the United Kingdom, air conditioning and side airbags were fitted to the CDX as standard equipment.

This facelifted model, however, was not offered in Venezuela (where it sold as the Dodge Brisa). Instead, the local arm of Hyundai continued to sell the pre-2005 model.

Regional variants

In Venezuela, the Hyundai Getz was assembled locally featuring its 1.6 Litre petrol engine, mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Also the Getz was badge-engineered as the Dodge Brisa in its 1.3-litre, 4-speed manual transmission configuration. This new model replaced the Accent-based Brisa that debuted in that market in April 2002. In recent years, Hyundai Getz where factory equiped with a CNG kit, allowing dual fuel use of petrol or natural gas. Assembly of the Getz ended in 2014 in Venezuela.

In Malaysia, the Getz was locally assembled as the Inokom Getz. The model offers both manual and automatic transmission with a single 1.4-litre petrol engine option. In the last quarter of 2009, Inokom launched a limited edition Getz SE, which featured leather interior, sporty body kit and grill and side mirrors with indicators. Only 300 units of this variant were produced.

Electric version

Between 2008 and 2011, a fully electric version of the Getz was sold in New Zealand and Australia called the Blade Electron. This model has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a range of 120 kilometres (75 mi) on a full charge.

Engines

At launch there were three petrol engines available, a 1.1-litre, a 1.3-litre and a 1.6-litre, and one diesel option, a 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit, licensed from VM Motori. When the Getz was introduced to the market in Australia it was brought out with only the 1.5l petrol G4EC engine. After the facelift in 2005, a new 1.4-litre petrol engine replaced the 1.3-litre unit, and a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, with variable geometry turbocharger and two power output levels, was introduced in place of the three-cylinder option. The Diesel engines never made it to Australia. But the introduction of the 1.4 L DOHC and the 1.6 L DOHC replaced the 1.5 L motor. The 1.4 L Engine though very efficient and reliable was no power plant when it came to using the a/c whilst climbing a hill. Especially in the automatic transmission However, the availability of engine options varied depending on market.

There were four-speed automatic transmission options, with overdrive and torque converter, for the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre petrol versions, and after the facelift also for the 1.4-litre, and five-speed manual options for all engines.

Trim levels

In the United Kingdom, the trim levels offered were GSI, CDX and Sport, while in New Zealand, they were XD and XE.

In Australia, the trim levels were XL, GL and FX. After the facelift, the XL and GL were dropped, while the FX was replaced by the sporty SXi trim, The rest of the models were referred to as "Getz". Half-way through 2006, the SXi was dropped, leaving just the base Getz with the option of 1.4 or 1.6-litre engines. In early 2008, the Getz 1.4 was named S, and the 1.6 was named SX.

The top level generally included, among other features, front and side airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), remote central locking with alarm, 14-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, air conditioning, heated electric door mirrors, electric tilt and slide sunroof, electric front and rear windows, CD player and trip computer. The 1.6-litre version featured 15-inch alloy wheels. As optional features there were leather upholstery, metallic paint or satellite navigation. In Australia, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control (TSC), bluetooth handsfree and MP3 player with USB connectivity were also offered.

A special trim level called the Getz Cross features SUV design elements such as extended wheel arches, roof rack, raised suspension and larger wheels. It was offered with the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, or with the 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Euro NCAP

In 2004, the Getz was tested by the Euro NCAP, scoring an overall rating of four-stars. The model tested featured driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted thorax and head airbags, and front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. It was described as a "reasonably balanced performance" and "generally good" in-car protection for children. It was noted, however, that the design of the car did little to protect pedestrians. An additional point was scored for the seat belt reminder that is provided for the driver.

ANCAP

In 2008, the Getz was also assessed with four stars out of five by the Australasian NCAP, based on the test performed by the Euro NCAP.

Other ratings

In Australia, the 2002–04 Getz was assessed in the 2006 Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.

Awards

Replacement

In late 2008, the i20 was introduced, replacing the Getz in most markets. In Europe, the Getz co-existed with the i20 until it was completely phased out in 2011. The Getz continued to be sold in the Australian market until December 2010. In India, the car was discontinued due to falling demand as compared to the warm response received by the i20 and the introduction of the new Euro 4 emission norms from May 2010.

In mid-2011, the Click was replaced in the South Korean market by the Hyundai Accent WIT. In Japan, where it was known as the TB, the car was discontinued shortly before Hyundai officially announced the departure of its passenger car division from the market in late-2009. Countries that do not offer the i20 or Accent hatchback have designated the i10 as the Getz's replacement.