Hyundai Getz CRDi

The premium diesel hatchback segment has been dominated by the Swift for a while now and the Maruti has enjoyed a large piece of market share owing to the Swift diesel. However, to challenge the Swift, Hyundai has now launched the Getz CRDi and that too with the bigger Verna’s powerful 110bhp engine. Is the new Getz good enough to challenge the Maruti? And, is the powerful engine really apt for the car? We find out…

The earlier grey colour of the Getz’s interiors has been replaced with beige and this makes the already spacious cabin look even more airy. On a down-side though, the fabric being light coloured allows for the seats to get soiled easily.

Gaudy finish

In addition, the centre console which is finished in fake wood is a little too gaudy and the overall quality of the cabin isn’t the best in the segment.

The legroom, however, especially at the rear is superb and the rear seat bench is flat. Given the Getz is quite a wide car means five passengers can easily be seated – if not for too long at least for short distances. While there is enough storage space and a large boot, the new Hyundai isn’t so well equipped.

Where are the essentials?

Power steering, power windows and central locking are available, but for the price Hyundai is asking, one would also expect essentials like a stereo, a temperature gauge and driver’s seat height adjustment, which are not available.

As mentioned earlier, the new Getz comes with the engine that is on the Verna saloon. This 1.5-litre engine produces 110bhp, and performance is really amazing. The Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT)-equipped engine feels lazy from slow engine speeds. But there is a burst of power after you hit the 2000rpm mark and before you know it, the car is already past the three-digit speedometer mark. But this non-linear power delivery can be a bit scary for someone who isn’t used to this engine’s nature, especially when driving in the city.

Though the gearbox on the Getz is easy to use, the Swift has one that is slicker to shift. Also, with most of the useable power coming in after 2000rpm, you will have to change the gears judiciously in the city. But this car is a good highway cruiser — just dab the accelerator and the Getz will surge forward with urgency; overtaking in this car is not a chore. However, since so much power is pushed to the front wheels, the steering tends to pull in different directions under hard acceleration.

Hyundai has taken good care to ensure sound deadening is achieved well and the Getz remains quiet and from inside the cabin, one might not even be able to tell that the car is powered by a diesel motor. Overall, the Getz CRDi remains very smooth even at higher revolutions. The ride, though, is a bit firm and some bumps will filter into the cabin. The Hyundai Getz delivered good mileage figures and in the city gave 12.9kpl and 16.9kpl on the highway.

Technical data

Hyundai Getz CRDi

Engine size 1.5 Diesel

Power 110bhp

0-100kph 11.02sec

Fuel economy 12.9kpl

(city)/16.9kpl (highway)