Item: Used Renault Grand Modus Hatchback 2008 - 2012
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

What is it like?

Ownership cost

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Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.</p>

<p dir="ltr">From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.</p>

<p dir="ltr">To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.</p>

<p>With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.</p>


RENAULT

GRAND MODUS

<p>The Renault Grand Modus is an oversized supermini that's big on cabin space</p>


Used Renault Grand Modus Hatchback 2008 - 2012

<p>The 1.2 TCE does an average of 47.9mpg, and emits 138g/km of CO2, while its less-powerful 74bhp sibling averages 47.8mpg and emits 140g/km of CO2.</p>

<p>The 1.5-litre diesel averages 68.9mpg and emits just 107g/km but, unless you plan to cover well over 12,000 miles a year, you may never recover the extra cost of the car.</p>

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The Renault Grand Modus is an oversized supermini that's big on cabin space

<p>Our pick of the range is the 100bhp 1.2 TCE, which offers nippy performance and decent fuel economy. Other engine options include a non-turbocharged 74bhp 1.2-litre and a frugal, but rare, 85bhp 1.5-litre diesel. If you want an automatic gearbox you're stuck with the scarce 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol model.</p>

<p>The entry-level Expression trim comes with air-con, remote central locking and front electric windows, making it good value. Dynamique models get alloy wheels, rear electric windows and curtain airbags.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.</p>

Small

<p>As with the regular Modus model, the Grand has a decent reliability record, but there are some issues.</p>

<p>Like most modern cars, the suspension is generally one of the biggest areas of concern, particularly in urban environments where speed humps, kerbs and potholes all take their toll.</p>

<p>The automatic gearbox, although rare, isn't hard wearing, and can need rebuilding. Parts of the electric window mechanism can also break, so that the whole system needs replacing.</p>

<p>Electrical niggles mean that warning lights on the dashboard may be down to random minor faults, but it can take garages time to find the culprit, and the steering can require expensive repairs. The filler cap can also freeze shut.</p>

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<p>This Renault Grand Modus still has only five seats like the non-Grand version, but there's more room inside for passengers to stretch out, and the boot's bigger than in the standard Modus, too.</p>

<p>Even some family cars can't match this <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> for legroom, especially in the back. As in the smaller version, buyers had the option of choosing a sliding rear-seat system that favours passenger or boot space as required. The central seat of the rear bench also flips up, so the two outer ones can slide inwards to create more shoulder room for two rear-seat passengers.</p>

<p>The Grand Modus is entirely reasonable to drive, with a suspension set-up that's aimed at comfort. The body rolls a bit, and the steering is short of feel, but it's well suited to town work.</p>

<p>The Grand Modus gets a full five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety tests, and all cars come with a minimum of four airbags and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points. However, stability control isn't standard on any model.</p>

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Used Renault Grand Modus Hatchback 2008 - 2012 review

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Find out how much the Renault Grand Modus 2008 - 2012 costs to run, covering expected MPG, servicing costs and insurance costs.

The 1.2 TCE does an average of 47.9mpg, and emits 138g/km of CO2, while its less-powerful 74bhp sibling averages 47.8mpg and emits 140g/km of CO2.,The 1.5-litre diesel averages 68.9mpg and emits just 107g/km but, unless you plan to cover well over 12,000 miles a year, you may never recover the extra cost of the car., 

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Used Renault Grand Modus Hatchback 2008 - 2012 review

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