Renault Modus Dynamique 1.6 VVT Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

Although the Modus is taller than the Clio, it still drives quite well, with the light steering giving a particularly easy driving experience in town. This does affect motorway driving a little, but on the whole the ride quality is good and the steering is efficient. The upright position may not be to everyone’s liking, but there is adjustability in the driving seat and enough space to ensure that the majority of people should be able to get comfortable behind the wheel.

In terms of the performance, the 1.6 litre petrol engine is capable of much more than it is allowed to achieve by the automatic gearbox. Accelerating from 0-62mph is a ponderous 12.3 seconds, and the top speed of 114mph will be a long way off for those trying to achieve it from a standing start.

The Modus is neat and tidy rather than ostentatious, and this is definitely reflected in the design of the car. The front end has large headlight clusters which do tend to dominate the look, and the small air intake is quite minimal compared to some more aggressively styled cars. The rear end is a little bit flat and angular, but that is to be expected of an MPV such as this. Inside, the metal centre console is attractive.

This version of the Modus isn’t the most expensive, but it still comes with a reasonable level of equipment. Air conditioning and alloy wheels are included as standard. Cruise control and a CD stereo are also included, making the level of equipment quite good.

One of the main reasons that people will want to consider a Renault Modus over the cheaper Clio is that it has the added loading capacity and flexibility. Space in the front and rear seats is quite good, and when the seats are folded forward the load space is really impressive for a car of this size. It may not be as big as a crossover or an estate car, but these features will certainly be attractive to many people, particularly those with families.

The Modus has achieved a five star rating in the Euro NCAP safety tests, and is supplied with a good range of airbags to help the driver and passengers in an accident. There is also a range of driving aids that will help the driver stay in control and keep the car firmly on the tarmac.

For those people who have no choice but to go for an automatic car then they may find this version of the Modus quite competitive, but most people will be unable to justify the additional expense of the automatic gearbox. The list price for this version of the Modus is £13,760, pushing it towards the top end of Modus prices, despite the level of equipment being fairly basic.

The fuel efficiency of the Modus is also an issue, with the 1.6 litre petrol engine only able to achieve an average 36.7mpg with the automatic gearbox installed. The insurance group for the car is quite low, meaning that premiums shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the driver. The Modus is also supplied with Renault’s excellent warranty package, offering a three year/100,000 mile warranty and service intervals of 18,000 miles.