Since its launch in 2004, the Renault Modus has racked up strong sales across Europe but has been unable to match the utility of its bigger rivals. Now, with the addition of a Grand Modus variant featuring an extra 16cm of length, it comes equipped to dominate. Some great engines and unbeatable safety provisions means the future looks bleak for the opposition.

When Renault announced the Modus back in 2004, few realised quite what a significant car this seemingly peripheral little hatchback would be. Most were more excited by news of a new Twingo, a car that would make do with the old Clio's chassis. It turned out most commentators had taken their eyes off the ball. The Renault-Nissan Alliance B platform might sound more than slightly esoteric but it's one of the key reasons the Modus has done so well. An all-new (at the time) chassis shared between Nissan's Micra and Note models enabled Renault to make a car that was not only safer but also better to drive than tall, short cars had been capable of to that point. Three years after its launch, the Modus has been extensively facelifted and a longer Grand Modus model slotted into the product line up. A wider range of low CO2 engines brings the product offering bang up to date.

The suspension of the Modus draws its inspiration from that of the Megane II, itself one of the better riding cars in its class. Both its ride and road-handling 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. Renault has worked hard to ensure low noise levels and the Modus features a significant amount of noise insulation material.

"Where the Modus really scores is in the field of cost of ownership.."

The 1.2-litre Turbo Control Efficiency (TCE) engine is probably the pick of the bunch and will get the Modus to 60mph in 10.9 seconds on the way to a maximum of 113mph. 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 Bosch 8.0 anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist as standard. Buyers can also opt for a new-generation ESP electronic stability control with ASR traction control.

The 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.

Renault dubs the 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 opens using hinges at the bottom, thus making it easy to access the luggage bay in cramped conditions.

Renault model ranges have had an unenviable reputation for massive complexity down the years but thankfully the French giant has kept things simple with both the Modus and the Grand Modus models. Customers choose from either entry level Expression or better equipped Dynamique trims with prices for the Modus kicking off at £9,820 or around £500 more for the Grand Modus. Core features on all versions include ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), auto adaptive airbags for driver and front passenger, lateral airbags, brake assist, double optic headlights with a 'See Me Home' function, ISOFIX seatbelt fixings, a R.A.I.D. (Renault Anti Intruder Device) alarm, remote central locking, height adjustable headrests, a 60:40 split-folding rear seat (Modus) and a 60:40 split folding and sliding rear seat (Grand Modus).

Expression models feature air conditioning, 15" 'Aria' wheel trims, a 2 x 15W RDS radio CD with wheel mounted controls, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a height adjustable driver's seat, electric front windows and a multifunctional trip computer. Go for the Dynamique and you'll get 15" alloy wheels ('Spoke' on Modus and 'Barioca' on Grand Modus), curtain airbags, heated/body coloured/electrically folding and adjustable door mirrors, electric rear windows, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, rear seatbelt pretensioners on outer rear seats and a soft touch dashboard.

Where the Modus really scores is in the field of cost of ownership. The combined fuel economy figure of the Modus 1.2 TCE100 is 47.8mpg will come as a welcome sight to drivers who want to keep fuel bills down but don't want to drive a diesel. Likewise, emissions are pegged at just 140g/km which will mean a cheap road fund licence, while business user choosers will appreciate the low benefit in kind taxation.

The diesel-engined Modus models are well worth a mention as you'll get well over 60mpg from all three variants of the 1.5dCi engine. The inevitable upshot of this is that residual values will be good. The Modus range as a whole already enjoys some of the healthiest used prices of any supermini MPV models. Insurance is also very reasonable for all models.

The Modus has proven a very popular addition for Renault, combining as it has sharp styling, decent versatility and unparalleled safety provision. The latest generation car smartens up its act in a few key areas, not least of which is the addition of the Grand Modus, a car that most resembles a Scenic that's been put through a rather hot wash cycle. Faced with soaring sales, most manufacturers would have been tempted to tweak the prices upwards to find out what the market would bear, but Renault has resisted the temptation to get greedy.

Of all the models, the Grand Modus with the 1.2-litre TCE 100 petrol engine looks to be a winner, although the 106bhp diesel engine will make a very satisfactory fitment too. The trouble is the diesel's over £1,500 more. We'd never regret taking the petrol engine, getting better performance and refinement, paying a little more at the pumps and pocketing the price difference.

TOP 1 MODUS DEALS

The results below show the top MODUS deals on buyacar

	Renault Modus 1.2 TCE Dynamique 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £165	Saving £2,026	Price £9,389

typical 11.38% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000