Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £10,540 to £13,840
MPV-like space in supermini dimensions, easy to drive.
Slightly awkward-looking, weedy petrol engines, interior not as roomy or versatile as the Nissan Note's.
A useful and appealing small family car.
The high seating position and forward-slanted windscreen give a real MPV-like feel - which can, at first, give the impression that the Grand Modus is considerably larger than it is. It's still wide for a small car, but the snub-nosed front is deceptively short. Get to grips with the measurements, though, and this is an easy car to drive and park, with good visibility all round (bar thick windscreen pillars, though this is par for the course these days) and light controls.
It's not a sports car - obviously - but is perfectly pleasant for general duties. The handling is predictable and, despite the high roof, it feels solid and stable in all circumstances; it's at home on the motorway, where it stands up well to crosswinds.
The new 1.2 turbo engine (99bhp, giving 0-60mph in 11.4 seconds) is gutsy in the tiny Twingo and Clio, but is no more than adequate in the heavy Grand Modus; the 74bhp non-turbo 1.2 (0-60mph in 13.7 seconds) will struggle. Best bets are the diesels: these are consistently strong and excellent performers in other Renault/Nissan ranges, as well as being very economical. Quickest is the dCi 105, offering 0-60mph in a respectable 11.6 seconds; the dCi 67 takes 15.7 seconds for the same sprint.
