Now I know how a goldfish feels. The new Renault Modus could possibly be a Guinness Book of Records contender for the car with the most glass.
Not only are the windows huge but there are optional dual glass roofs to let in the sun while the optional front sunroof can be electrically opened to let in the wind as well.
The roof is also high enough for a basketball player to sit in the car with a child on his shoulders. OK, so I exaggerate (a little), but the point is that no Modus passenger is likely to be afflicted by claustrophobia. The high roof and doors also make the Modus easy to get into and out of.
What's remarkable is that all the airiness and sense of space is in a car barely longer than a Renault Clio. Unlike the Clio however, which is a compact hatchback for a younger crowd more concerned with image and handling ability, the Modus is aimed at what Renault describes as "an older market of open-minded, enthusiastic people".
The car is built on a shared Renault/Nissan B platform, which also underpins the Nissan Micra and the upcoming third-generation Clio.
It's essentially a baby Renault Scenic, targeting a mostly female buyer with kids and shopping to carry. They'll probably like its styling, as the Modus has a bit of styling ooh la la with its cute, Noddy car-like looks. It's also effortless to drive, with light controls, and is one of the easiest cars to parallel park thanks to its compact size and the panoramic view through its windows.
The Modus is as versatile as a Lego set, with a shape-shifting interior that can be transformed from a mom's taxi to a mini panel van, and it's well-stocked with comfort features and safety.
The Modus was the first vehicle in its class to score the maximum five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests and is equipped with the full Monty: six crash bags, load-limiters and pre-tensioners for the front seatbelts, and anti-lock brakes enhanced by electronic pressure distribution and emergency braking assistance.
The steering and pedals are designed to retract in a collision, moving away from the driver to lessen the chance of injury; the spare wheel absorbs shock by bursting in a rear-end collision.
It's not only headroom that's in generous supply in Renault's new mini-MPV. There's enough leg-and-shoulder room for four adults of Weightwatchers specification. The rear seat accommodates three people at a squeeze but, by pushing the outer cushions inwards, you can slide the entire seat back between the rear wheel arches and, voila, you get a two-seater bench with good leg room.
This "Triptic" rear seat, available in the more expensive of the two Modus models, can be folded flat. This expands the small 240-litre boot into a cavernous 976 litres in case you need to cart a washing machine, a small quad bike or a wooden giraffe.
The Modus continues Renault's obsession with storage nooks. There are compartments in the front footwell, inside the front passenger seat and on top of the fascia. There's also a drawer under the driver's seat and a huge cubby. And there are front and rear cupholders so that you can sip your drink while trying to remember in which of those compartments you stashed your wallet and house keys...
The Modus is available as a 1.2 for R110 000 or in two 1.4-litre derivatives: the R125 000 Expression and the fully featured, R135 000 Authentique. The line-up will later be completed by a 1.6.
The 1.4 Authentique tested here is no ball of fire but offers acceptable pace for its mom's taxi role. With 72kW on tap, the Modus out-powers other 1.4-litre engines in its class and is in fact closer to the outputs of some 1600s - which is why it's also priced against 1.6-litre rivals.
The Modus is not your first choice for robot-to-robot dicing but neither does it feel sluggish. It doesn't battle to cruise and easily maintains the national speed limit on the freeway even with the air-con running. It's a pretty quiet motor ,too, without the noisy drone of some small engines.
Coupled to a smooth-shifting, five-speed manual transmission the Modus is good for 177km/h. It will reach 100km/h in 11.4sec at sea level, according to Renault, which should translate to about 13 up here in Gauteng.
The claimed fuel consumption for a mixed town/freeway cycle is 6.7litres/100km.
The brakes are good and the car's nose doesn't dive under hard stopping, thanks to there being almost no front overhang. The ride's comfortable and the little Renault has good bump-soaking abilities.
It won't win any awards for roadholding, though, and the drawback of that tall roof is a high centre of gravity that makes the Modus lean quite noticeably through tight corners.
That said, its tyres grip efficiently, don't prematurely lose traction and - if you don't attack turns too fast - the car has a fairly neat and forgiving nature.
The variable electric power steering is light for city driving but firms up for freeway cruising. The steering wheel adjusts for height but not reach, making the driving position ill-suited to people with long legs.
Cabin quality is good, though a soft-touch finish would have been more appealing than the hard plastic used.
The top-of-the-range Authentique has a bit of styling sparkle in the form of a leather steering wheel and gearknob and brushed aluminium cabin trim. The fascia is neat and avoids a messy clutter of buttons.
There's an integrated radio/CD system and a multi-function steering-wheel with buttons to control the audio and (if fitted) cruise control.
Standard on both Modus models are central locking, front power windows and air-conditioning. The flagship Authentique also has full climate control, rear power windows and power mirrors, foglights, alloy rims and see-around-corner headlights.
Cruise control, xenon headlights and that power panoramic sunroof are optional extras.
A digital instrument panel is located in the centre of the dash so that all passengers can see the speed, rpm, outside temperature and time. The space in front of the steering wheel is taken up by - you guessed it - another storage compartment.
SUMMARY
When it comes to clever packaging you have to go a long way to beat the French. The Modus is a versatile, safe, spacious and well-stocked mom's taxi.
It's main advantage is that it offers more power than its main rival, the Honda Jazz, at only a slightly higher price. - Star Motoring