Renault Modus MPV (2004-2012)

As well as being practical, the Modus is comfortable and easy to drive. The diesel engines are a little noisy at high revs, but offer strong performance. Most models are well equipped, while flagship editions are genuinely luxurious. Safety is impressive, although electronic stability control is a cost option.

When fitted with the 1.5 dCi diesel engine, the Modus will average an impressive 62.8mpg and only costs £35 per year for Road Tax. Petrol engines aren’t quite as efficient, but are more responsive and better to drive around town. Service intervals are between 12,000 or 18,000 for petrol and diesel engines respectively, but Renault has a reputation for offering decent value servicing costs.

With its light controls, the Renault Modus is an easy car to drive. It has a comfortable ride and offers a commanding driving position. As a result, it’s simple to navigate around town. The small 1.2-litre petrol engine is underpowered, but fine if you stick to town driving. If you plan long motorway journeys, our favourite is the 1.5 dCi diesel. It's available in three different power outputs and suits the Modus exceptionally well.

The boxy proportions of the Modus mean back seat passengers will never be short on headroom. Legroom is less plentiful, and those who plan to travel with rear seat passengers on a regular basis will be better off with the Grand Modus, which is more spacious. There's more than enough space for the driver and passenger up front, though.

There are a few ingenious features hidden in and around the Modus that make it more practical than its rivals. The optional split-opening tailgate is very useful - it's possible to open a small section of the boot to quickly drop small items inside, which is particularly handy if another car has parked close behind. There's also a sliding rear bench seat and the option of an integrated bike rack. The 217-litre boot isn't great, though - the Grand Modus offers a more impressive 305-litre boot and more space in the cabin.

The Modus has experienced its fair share of issues. While top specification Dynamique equipped cars offer impressive luxury, entry-level cars are less desirable. Some sections of the cabin trim feels quite poor quality, and cabin build isn't up to the same plush standards as some of Renault’s more recent models, which have moved on in leaps and bounds. Engine problems are not unheard of, either.

In its most basic form, the Modus is cheaper to buy than fellow small MPVs such as the Nissan Note - but it’s expensive when compared to the Clio hatchback on which it's based. A relatively low list price, plus the fact that it's a small and economical car means resale values are strong.