Renault Modus (2004-) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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Despite its high roof, body roll and lurching is well-contained, but the taut suspension and short wheelbase can make the ride a little choppy and unsettled, especially over rougher roads.

Sound-proofing is generally good, but the 1.2 16v petrol engine in particular can get harsh when pushed, as can the 1.6 16v.

Room up front is excellent. For the driver, the Modus feels little smaller than a Scenic - with plenty of headroom and elbowroom, thanks to the wide cabin. The front seats are supportive and the steering wheel is height-adjustable. The two-piece tailgate can be opened conventionally, or split via the upper or lower hatches, which makes loading or unloading in a confined space easier. The wide doors make life easy when getting in and out.

For a car this size, the rear legroom is good, with just about enough space for adults to travel in reasonable comfort, and up to 293 litres of boot-space. A sliding rear seat - with either two or three seats - is optional, giving a bit more rear legroom (but less boot-space) when placed in the rearmost position.

As a three-person bench, the rear seats are rather flat and unsupportive. They fold flat onto their bases but they don't create a flat load-bay and are not removable, which is a drawback . This is where the Nissan Note wins out, with its rear seats that fold completely flat into the floor to create a much bigger load-bay.

Equipment levels now include air conditioning in all models. Entry-level Expression models also have kit including electric front windows and tinted glass - 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. There's also a wide range of useful accessories, such as bike racks. Take care when ticking boxes - all this adds up...