When a motoring writer decides to retire and is faced with buying a car of their own, their choice is naturally watched with interest.

Obviously what you choose depends on your circumstances. If you move to a retreat in the backwoods of Canada and are snowed in for half the year then a 4x4 makes sense.

And if you still move four or five people around regularly, then a people carrier will be in the frame.

But if there are just two of you, you are not covering too many miles, and economy and reliability are top priorities, then the choice is enormous.

Which is why a former colleague's decision to opt for a Hyundai Getz as his day-to-day transport was entirely understandable.

The Getz, which is the Korean car maker's best-selling car in the UK and the rest of Europe, has been given a facelift, with sharper looks, improved equipment and a choice of new engines.

Most importantly the car, which is priced from about £7,500, still benefits from Hyundai's as-yet-unbeaten five-year warranty.

But to portray the Getz simply as a sensible choice is doing it a misjustice.

For a start it is well equipped. All three- and five-door models come with standard air-conditioning, electric front windows, anti-lock brakes, a split-folding rear seat and central locking.

It is also capable of covering a lot of miles in real comfort and with seats that split and fold, it also boasts a surprising carrying capacity.

And to keep up with the game it has been given a fresher look. As well as a new front end design, the Getz has new wheel cover and alloy wheel designs and new paint colours to choose from.

Inside, the instrument panel has been redesigned and is easier to read. The CDX's revised instrument cluster now incorporates a trip computer. The controls on the dashboard are neat and simple to use, housing a CD radio, heater, and air conditioning. The windows are electrically operated and the switches are easily located in the driver's door.

The launch of the Getz supermini in 2002 was a major step forward in Hyundai's strategy to build a stronger market presence in Europe.

It was named What Car? magazine's Budget Car of the Year when it was launched and since then more than half a million have been sold world-wide, about 270,000 of these within Europe. All round a sensible choice.

Auto facts Hyundai Getz 1.4 CDX 5dr

  • Price £9,245
  • Insurance group Six
  • Fuel consumption (Combined) 47.1mpg
  • Top speed 106mph
  • Length 382.5cm/150.5in
  • Width 166.5cm/65.5in
  • Luggage capacity 10.2 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity 45 litres/9.9 gallons
  • CO2 emissions 141g/km
  • Warranty five years/unlimited mileage