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Some buyers will be put off buying a Modus because of its looks – its high sides and ungainly stance make it appear a bit awkward. However, these buyers will be missing out, because the Modus is a very talented car.
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Those lofty dimensions make for excellent cabin space, with lots of headroom and, thanks to a sliding rear bench, limo-like legroom in the back. Mind you, that does steals space from the boot, so the Modus isn't as practical as you might expect. On the other hand, the drive is probably more comfortable than you would expect. The ride is smooth over any surface, and while the Modus doesn’t have the most entertaining handling in this class, there’s plenty of grip. There’s a wide range of engines and trims to choose from, and most cars are well stocked with goodies. The build quality is excellent, and the high-grade materials give a classier feel than you’ll get in most superminis. Also, being a Renault, it’s extremely safe.
Running Costs
As a new car, the Modus is quite pricey when compared to conventional superminis, and the same is true in the used market. However, when you compare it to cars of the same type - the Vauxhall Meriva, for instance - there’s very little difference in cost. The bonus is that the Modus’s residuals aren’t as strong as the Meriva’s, so, where there is a difference, used Renaults should be a little less expensive than their Vauxhall counterpart. On most versions, servicing will also work out cheaper on the Modus than on the Meriva. The Modus has the Meriva well beaten on running costs, too. Fuel economy is much better, especially on the diesels, with the 86bhp diesel returning a very impressive 62.9mpg. Our favourite 1.4 petrol engine gives a respectable 42.2mpg. Insurance premiums will be fairly palatable, too. Groupings start at 2 for the 1.2, and go up to 5 or 6 for the 1.6 petrol, depending on trim.