*The PracticalitiesWhether you go for the standard model or the lengthened 'Grand Modus' version, this is a cleverly thought out little car. Take the unusual sunroof system for example. The rear panel is fixed while the forward one can be operated by a one-touch switch. In addition to the usual tilt position, there are also three possible slide positions. The manual roof offers two side-by-side panels which can be tilted or removed completely and stowed in a bag behind the rear bench seat. Renault dubs this sliding rear bench the 'Triptic' and it features a folding centre section.

With a sliding range of 170mm, the rear of the car can be optimised for passengers, luggage or a compromise between the two. In two seat configuration, it can be set to any one of four positions whilst in three-seat mode, two positions are available. It can also be folded down to form a completely flat floor area. The novelties don't stop there either. The Modus' rear hatch can open much like a conventional hatchback (that is, hinged at the top) or the lower section can open using hinges at the bottom, thus making it easy to access the luggage bay in cramped conditions. Should you ever get a puncture in the Modus, you'll appreciate the sheer amount of design ingenuity in the way Renault have engineered the spare wheel system. This improved Modus gets revised headlights, bumpers and rear screen amongst other details while the Grand Modus weighs in with an extra 16cm in length and up to 410 litres of luggage space. The wheelbase has been increased over the standard Modus by 93mm, which means better rear leg room and a quieter ride. The interior is exceptionally airy, the huge amount of glass up top and the low waistline brightening the cabin. The driving position feels more like a mini-MPV than a conventional hatch and the centrally mounted instrument panel allows the designers to make a feature of the smooth sweep of the fascia, again giving a clean, minimalist look.

The suspension of the Modus draws its inspiration from that of Renault's Megane II family hatchback, itself one of the best riding cars in its class. Both its ride and road-handling aim to match best-in-class levels, and there's a wide engine choice available to UK customers. The petrol engines comprise two 1.2-litre units: a 75bhp 1.2-litre and a 100bhp 1.2-litre turbo. Plus there's a 111bhp 1.6 VVT automatic. The Modus diesel engine range includes the 68bhp and 86bhp 1.5-litre dCi units. The Grand Modus gets the 86bhp and a 106bhp diesel. The 5-speed manual gearbox is taken from the Megane II, with gear ratios adapted to the Modus, but there's an optional Quickshift5 clutchless set-up for the dCi86. No car in this class can cut it these days without generous safety provision and the Modus adopts a belt and braces philosophy. It benefits from a Bosch 8.0 anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, new-generation ESP electronic stability control with understeer control and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The Modus is also available with additional cornering lights, double-distance xenon headlamps, together with an automatic range adjustment system. Passive safety is impressive, reflecting Renault's strategy and expertise in this area. The Modus structure includes numerous strengthened crumple zones, designed to work in harmony with the restraint mechanisms of Renault's third-generation System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3). Other safety features of the Modus are its six airbags - including two adaptive front airbags - and front safety belts with load limiters and double pretensioners.