Getz value for money
Hyundai’s Getz 1.4 is the most economical car to own and run of Australia’s top-selling 37 cars across the 10 main vehicle categories. This is according to just-released surveys of car buying and running costs by the three mainland southern states’ Royal Automobile Clubs, the RACV, RACWA and RAA in SA.
The RACs surveyed all the obvious car operating costs like fuel, maintenance, tyres, registration, comprehensive insurance and repairs, plus the more hidden cost of funds – interest income foregone on car purchase funds – and the biggest cost of all, depreciation.
Whilst costs varied marginally between the three states, the Getz 1.4 manual swept all three surveys with weekly overall costs of $108.44 in SA, $113.88 in WA and $116.54 in Victoria, akin to a maximum of 40.4 cents/kilometre.
Getz out-thrifted Holden’s Daewoo-based Barina which cost from $111.96 to $120.85 and the 1.3 litre Toyota Yaris, from $118.39 to $125.88. The Kia Rio, from $120.84 to $128.07, and the Suzuki Swift, from $122.38 to $130, followed. Of note was Toyota’s Prius hybrid petrol-electric car, which cost over $200 per week in Victoria and WA.
Getz’s greatest class-comparative savings were in service and repair costs which were around one-third less than those of the Toyota Yaris.
With its now current driveaway pricing, Getz 1.4 would cost even less than these figures which derive from March and April, before the Getz driveaway campaign commenced.
The figures in all three states show that it costs less to buy and run two Getz 1.4s than one Holden Commodore Omega, while doubling people-carrying ability and family transport flexibility.
Costing well over three times the Getz in each of the three states was the Toyota Landcruiser GXL 4.2 diesel 4WD, the costliest vehicle surveyed at $347 to $357.51 per week or up to $18,590 per year.
Kevin McCann, Hyundai’s director of sales and marketing, said, “These surveys are yet more proof of Hyundai’s renowned value-for-money, here demonstrated with Getz in the light car segment. They clearly show that Getz is a supremely sensible choice, as well as a stylish buy, with roomy seating within its efficiently compact semi-‘tall-boy’ design and bolstered by good resale value and Hyundai’s industry-best unlimited kilometre/ five-year warranty.”
The RACs’ figures assume private ownership over five years covering 15,000km per year. Fuel costs are based on the ADR 81/01 city-biased combined consumption. State on-road charges and individual RAC club comprehensive insurance and club membership are also imputed. The RACQ and NRMA have yet to release their surveys for 2007.
Getz 1.4, now known but not badged as S, starts from $13,990 – currently a driveaway recommended retail price – and is equipped standard with air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking with alarm, dual airbags, active front head restraints, MP3/WMA-compatible CD/FM/AM audio, heater ducting to rear footwells and split-fold rear seat backs with a tumble-fold seat base to clear a low flat load floor, under which is a full-size spare wheel.
Getz 1.6, from $14,990, now badged as SX and a two-time Australia’s Best Small Car winner as judged by all the RACs and the NRMA, adds ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), leather steering wheel rim and gearshift knob and rear disc brakes as standard. Optioned with Protectz Pack, Getz SX provides the market’s most affordable access to potentially life-saving ESP and TCS (Traction Control) as well as providing front side torso airbags.
Getz owners, like all new Hyundai buyers, are reassured by the integral vehicle quality demonstrated by Hyundai’s industry-first unlimited-kilometre new car warranty within the brand’s long-established and original factory five-year warranty period.
