TB Getz

This was the first baby Hyundai buyers might choose on merit as well as price.

Compared to its slightly larger Accent stablemate, the Getz is more space efficient, refined, comfortable and pleasant to sit inside, with real advances in ride quality, engine refinement and dynamic ability.

Initially a slightly tweaked version of the Accent’s 74kW/133Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine married to a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox was introduced in base GL three and five-door hatchback and sporty FX three-door guises.

But in March ’03 the cheaper Getz XL arrived, powered by a 60kW/117Nm 1.3-litre engine.

There was a round of equipment upgrades from October of that year, while the slow-selling FX vanished.

Sure, the Getz might have a small boot and struggle in 1.3 auto form, but it shows levels of maturity in light car design an Excel driver would never recognise.