Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £11,275 to £14,575
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 Grand Modus rides well, though there is some intrusive engine noise when pushed hard and the ride can get a little choppy over rough surfaces.
Up front, there's loads of legroom and elbowroom, with the high roof and forward-slanted windscreen giving full MPV effect for front-seat occupants. The rear seats - which slide on their base - are roomy, too, especially when in their rearmost position, though the split-folding bench itself is rather flat and unsupportive. However, the rear seats do not fold flat into the floor - the back just folds onto the base - and while they look as if they should tumble forwards and be removable, neither appears to be possible. Here's where the closely related Nissan Note wins out over both Modus and Grand Modus: its rear seats fold completely flat into the floor, creating a huge, uninterrupted van-like load-bay.
Wide doors aid getting in and out, but getting into the boot is not as easy as it should be; access is via a remote-control blipper, which needs to be very close to its sensor to work, or via a push-button release which needs some prodding. It's all a bit fiddly - whatever was wrong with a good old-fashioned handle?
As with the Clio, the Grand Modus comes with a wide variety of trim choices, options packs and equipment levels. Entry-level Expression models have kit including electric front windows, tinted glass and air conditioning - all the basics - and Dynamique versions add 15" alloy wheels, electric door mirrors and electric rear windows, as well as the side curtain airbags (well worth having).
Further options packs include Cool Pack Plus (climate control, electric panoramic roof), Storage (overhead console, fold-down seat-back tables, drawers under the front seats) and Style (chrome-effect front grille, chrome tailgate strip, cornering-beam lights, extra-tinted rear windows). Most of these items can be ordered originally, along with options such as 16" alloys, an uprated MP3/USB-compatible stereo system, rear parking sensors, a rear spoiler and Bluetooth phone kit. Take care when ticking boxes - all this adds up...
