The Renault Modus is a nimble, practical five-seater with exceptionally clever packaging and a stylish design. It also achieves top-class safety ratings and a level of comfort normally associated with much larger vehicles.
The Renault Modus has the agility and compact dimensions of a supermini yet combines this with the interior versatility of an MPV. A longer version called the Grand Renault Modus is reviewed separately.
With its size come inexpensive running costs and urban-friendly road manners although its fuel-efficient engines are strong and refined on longer journeys. The supple ride comfort proves as much of an asset on motorways as it does on pot-holed city streets.
The Renault Modus is a five-door model with a versatile five-seat cabin that includes useful storage areas for oddments. Its easily-accessed 217-litre luggage area can be extended to 1195 litres by folding the 60:40 split rear seats, which are standard on every model.
All Renault Modus variants feature power steering, alloy wheels, electric front windows and air conditioning. Automatic lights and wipers, a tyre pressure monitoring system and climate control are available as options.
For security, every Renault Modus has remote central locking with anti-drill door locks and deadlocks, which prevent a thief from opening the door from the inside after smashing a window.
The
Renault Modus is an exceptionally safe car and has been awarded a five-star rating by
EuroNCAP for its crash test performance.
To help reduce the risk of a collision every Renault Modus features ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), which provide stable stopping power and the ability to steer around an obstacle during emergency braking. ESP electronic stability control is also available on the Renault Modus as an option.
Two front airbags and side airbags are standard across the range, along with front seatbelt pretensioners and ISOFIX mounting points for child seats. Dynamique models are also equipped with curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners for the outer rear seats.
All variants emit low levels of CO2 for their performance potential. Emissions are rated at 119g/km for the 86 dCi diesel model. Petrol models begin at 140g/km.
The Renault Modus is available with a choice of five engines and three types of transmission with power to the front wheels in each case.
There are three petrol engines, starting with a 75bhp 1.2-litre that develops 105Nm of pulling power. This engine has been awarded Renault’s eco2 status for its fuel-efficiency, which is rated at 47.8mpg, yet it is also capable of 101mph performance.
There’s also a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine that generates 100bhp and 145Nm of pulling power. It, too, achieves 47.8mpg on the combined cycle and has eco2 status but the extra power brings a rise in performance to 113mph.
Both 1.2-litre engines are available with a five-speed manual gearbox whilst four-speed automatic transmission is available with the largest-capacity petrol engine, which is a 110bhp 1.6-litre that harnesses 151Nm of pull. This set-up mixes 114mph performance with 37.1mpg economy.
The diesel engine is the most economical of all. The dCi 86 is capable of 62.8mpg but its 85bhp and 200Nm of pull enable it to attain 106mph.
The diesel are rated as eco2 models and are available with five-speed manual gearboxes. The dCi 86 is also offered with the option of Quickshift5 clutchless transmission.
The Renault Modus line-up starts with the £9,940 Expression 1.2 16V 75. The entry-level diesel is the £11,590 Expression dCi 86. The plusher Dynamique 86 dCi diesel is £12,490 with a manual gearbox and £500 more with Renault’s Quickshift5 transmission. The petrol-powered Dynamique 1.6 VVT 111 has automatic transmission as standard and costs £12,715.53. The mid-range petrol model is the £11,540 Dynamique 1.2 Turbo 100.
Renault Modus 1.2 Expression From £8495
Save £1,445
Specification includes
- 47.8 mpg combined
- 140 g/km CO2 emissions
- £120 Road Fund Licence
- Electric front windows
- Air conditioning
- Radio CD with fingertip controls
- Remote central locking with deadlocking
CO2 emissions for the Modus range 119-161g/km. Fuel consumption in mpg (litres/100 km) Urban 27.3-54.6 5.2-10.4) extra urban 45.8-69.8 (4.1-6.2) combined 36.9-63 (4.5-7.7). Car for illustration purposes only. Savings based on manufacturers recommended retail price.
