Renault Modus 2004-2012
This is a micro-espace in both looks and execution. The Modus is very spacious and has the sort of clever seats that should certainly put it in the MPV class.
The rear bench seats slide for leg room or luggage and can seat two or three back there. They also fold down so that you can have a little flat-floored van. Yes, there’s a lot to like about this super hatchback, and on top of that there are six airbags.
Dynamique S gets you air-con and Expression and above deliver most things electrically. The 1.2litre is economical; a turbo was more lively. There’s a 1.6 if you want to get somewhere comfortably and a 63mpg 1.5 diesel in three outputs to consider.
What goes wrong is ignition coils. Underneath, the suspension gets rusty, too, and blown bulbs are common and a pain to replace.