Hyundai's smallish but smartish Getz is the Korean company's best seller in South Africa and almost certainly among the country top 10 best-sellers - though things are likely improve with the arrival of a 1.4-litre engine to replace the original 1.3.
The difference, I'm man enough to admit, caused me a tough of embarrassment... Here's why: the new Getz comes without bodywork badging to indentify itself as a 1.4 or a 1.6 so, after a preliminary drive, I found myself in a dilemma.
My brain told me the car had to be the new 1.4 but my right foot was telling me it had to be a 1600. So I had no option but to call the delivery driver and ask him exactly what model he had delivered. I could hear him laughing on the other end of the line.
"It's a 1400,'' he confirmed, "but it feels like a 1600, doesn't it...?"
Darn right it feels like a 1600. In fact, the new engine is a real gem. It's a twin-cam, fuel-injected, four-cylinder unit developing 70kW at 6000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 3200rpm. That's 10kW and seven Nm more than the 1.3-litre unit.
The engine drives the front wheels through a slick five-speed manual gearbox.
You also have to look quite hard at the new car to spot the visual differences because the restyle job has been incredibly subtle. Hyundai's designers say they've tried to give the car a more European look by giving it lines more edgy than the rounded style normally favoured by the Koreans.
So the bonnet line has been revised, with slightly softer character lines leading into a unitary grille, headlights and bumper arrangement. In fact, if you put the new and old cars together, the real giveaway is that the new car's front indicators are now in the wraparound headlights.
The major revamp to the Getz has taken place in its cabin. The instrument panel has been revised with new speedo and rev counter dials directly ahead of the driver. The new panel also has a trip data computer, fuel gauge and warning lights.
The centre console has also undergone a major revamp with a digital clock, cigarette lighter and hazard warning lights button in addition to the audio and air-conditioning controls.
Yes, air-conditioning. This might be a 1400 but it lacks little in luxury; there's also power-assisted steering, power windows and central locking.
Despite the power steering, the wheel was surprisingly heavy at slow speeds but lightens nicely at speed.
Seriously well-equipped
The model I tried is known as the 1.4 High Spec (HS) and retails for R115 900. There is also a base model 1.4 that sells for R99 900 and the basic difference is that the latter is sans the anti-lock brakes on all other models.
It also has but a crash bag for the driver (a passenger bag is standard across the Getz range) and the radio/CD is an optional extra.
In other words, the little 1.4 Getz HS is a seriously well-equipped car. It's also a most pleasant little car to drive.
I'm a fairly big guy but I had no trouble getting comfortable with plenty of head, leg and elbow room and the steering wheel is tilt-adjustable so you can set the controls up perfectly for your favoured driving position.
Folding seats
I wouldn't like to sit behind myself on a long journey but the back seats are perfectly adequate for pre-teens or your can fold them flat fo an impressive 977 litres of luggage space.
The back seats split 60/40 which means you can also carry things like fishing rods or curtain rails or all sorts of lengthy items you wouldn't be able to carry in a conventional sedan
Performance-wise, the Getz 1.4HS can hold its head up high within the small hatchback brigade. It tops out at 165km/h, takes just over 13 seconds to reach 100km/h and returns about 9.5 litres/100km. The fuel tank holds 45 litres.
SUMMARY
Hyundai's Getz has become a common sight on South African roads and it's not hard to see why. The little 1.4HS we tried was well screwed together, rattle-free and fun to drive.
The engine is a willing worker that belies its small capacity and the car comes with a standard specification and safety-feature list that's as long as your arm.