Renault Grand Modus (2008-2012) review

Driving
Light but responsive steering and a slick five-speed gearbox mean the Grand Modus is perfect for nipping around town. The ride is smooth and comfortable, and while the car is unsettled by really big bumps, for the most part it is easy to drive and uncomplicated. The key engine is the 1.2-litre TCE, a 100bhp turbo petrol engine. This replaced the old 1.4-litre – yet while it offers decent pace and economy, in our experience the larger 1.5-litre dCi diesels offer even lower consumption, while providing even more shove throughout the rev range.

Marketplace
The Grand Modus has grown up, and promises to put right the wrongs of its smaller sibling, for a premium of £600 over the base car. It was launched with a facelifted version of the original car in early 2008, taking inspiration from Grand versions of the Espace and Scenic – offering a bigger boot and more practical seating. It has similar styling to the standard car, so received new headlights and other tweaks with the 2008 facelift. Two trims are available, Expression and Dynamique, with a choice of five engines; the 1.2-litre petrol in non-turbo and TCE turbo form, an auto-only 1.6-litre, plus 1.5 dCi diesels in 86 and 106 guise. The dCi 86 can be mated to a ‘Quickshift5’ semi-auto gearbox.

Owning
By adding 93mm to the wheelbase and 160mm to the length, Renault had given the Grand extra space in the rear, meaning three can fit comfortably. There is 117 litres more boot space, boosted to 1,454 litres when the sliding rear bench is folded flat. The cabin is basic but well built, with lots of clever storage spaces and an elevated driving position that offers good visibility. All Grand Modus variants have standard air con, helping keep the glassy cabin cool. However, while it’s well-equipped and decent value – as well as being more practical than the standard car – the Grand Modus still suffers from the unimpressive retained values of the standard car. For best returns after three years, go for the diesels, which may cost more but also return excellent fuel economy figures of over 60mpg on the official cycle.