Hyundai Getz 1.3 Petrol

The long wheelbase and wide track of the Getz mean that feet planted wide, suspension soaking up imperfections; the high-speed stability of the Getz belongs in another class. It is rock-steady and confident even above 120kph, the car tracking dead-straight over even rough patches, crests or dips.

It's not as agile as a lighter, smaller hatch, but the Getz makes for an enjoyable drive. It turns into corners with a fair amount of enthusiasm, and the grip of the tyres is good, with the Getz perfectly capable of cornering at high speeds. The steering, though not as light as other hatches in the city, is well-weighted and accurate, with good high-speed feel.

You need to place the Getz accurately and early in a corner, to counter the mild body roll and drive as smoothly as possible. The steering lacks feel off-centre and experienced drivers will find little feedback from the road. Poor roads don't deflect the Getz, but passengers are always aware of the condition of the tarmac. The stiffness evaporates at higher speeds, where the tall springs and stiff chassis take even larger craters and broken sections of the road with ease.

The Getz brakes strongly coming to a dead halt from 80kph in 2.66 seconds, covering 29.26 meters, but the brakes feel over-servoed. Braking smoothly takes some getting used to and regular lock-ups during panic stops mean you should try and stretch for the optional ABS.