Renault Clio

There’ll be a new one next year, but you’d never think they needed to, because the current one is very well dressed indeed in the uniform of the latest Renaults. And it is one of the safest cars in its class, but I suppose they’ll be pitching for a full five stars to complete their safety hand with the new one. In the meantime, Clio is possibly one of the most familiar small cars in our perception thanks to that Nicole and Papa advertising series. There is a good edge to its driving, and a price that cuts in at a competitive level. A hot hatch spreads the appeal. With a name such as the Clio, the recognition factor is high, which will help keep up your car's trade-in values as will the ever-present demand for good clean superminis. Mostly the 1.2-litre engine that has been soldiering almost as long as the car itself, and no real reason to go for anything more powerful. Stars: 7/10

Renault Kangoo

This is a passenger version of a van but they've done a lot to disguise the fact and transform it into a comfortable small people carrier. The sales more or less halved this year, so perhaps the niche market that it shares with the Citroen Multispace has been saturated. People here really don’t like the idea to go out that they drive a van, or even a van-derived car. There’s lots of space and good shape to carry awkward things, including awkward family members, who won’t be able to damage the interior of this one in any meaningful way. Only a 1.2-litre petrol engine, and it would be nice to have the 1.5-litre dC80 diesel under the bonnet. Stars: 6/10

Renault Megane

Well, it’s been some year for Renault, hasn’t it? This new one had just been announced as European Car of the Year when it then became the safest car in its class and the first in its class to achieve the top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests. Though there was initially a few funny looks at the unusual treatment of the rear end, anybody seeing it in the metal and glass is quickly attracted by the design that came from the same pen as the large VelSatis. Available for the moment with just 1.4-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, it is proving to be an especially quiet and really comfortable car that has the potential to become a class leader. There’s so far a coupe (3dr) and a hatch (5dr), but no less than six more derivatives will be launched during the year, including a pair of Scenic MPVs, an estate and a saloon. Stars: 9/10

Renault Scenic

You’re probably tired of me saying it is the original of the compact MPV species, but it is still the fact. And though it has been copied, competed with, and expanded upon in the niche, it still sells around a quarter of all compact MPVs that roll out of Ireland’s showrooms. Due to be dramatically superseded by a pair of new models based on the new Megane, but in the meantime it is worth consideration for investment if you are in the business of having to ferry the family about. A good range of engines from 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol units and a couple of 1.9-litre diesels that won’t be hurt by Charlie. Stars: 8/10

Renault Laguna II

Last year’s Semperit Irish Car of the Year winner and the first car to ever achieve the top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP (will they make it more difficult and bring it up to six stars now, I wonder?), and one of my favourites still. It scored too in its class by having a 1.6-litre entry engine when many of its rivals were going for a 1.8-litre starter unit. The wagon version is almost nicer than the saloon in style, and the diesel engines - which go up to 120bhp - are up with the best. The marque is fortunate that the recent mullocking of the VRT bands won’t affect any of the Laguna models, so it looks like they’ll be scoring all the way to the lodgement slot again next year. Take a look at the special Mirage edition, it has some nice goodies without having to pay in economic pain. Stars: 9/10

Renault Vel Satis

The shape of the car is somewhat unusual, but it definitely grows on you. Long and high, steeply raked in the front with an usual grille and sort of cut away at the back. Inside, the cabin is total luxury - very elegantly furnished. Like being in a 5-star hotel. You sink into leather seats, moulded and stitched. Front seats come with an integrated seat belt which means no stretching back to grab the belt off the door pillar. The front seat backrests can be electrically adjusted in separate sections, along with the headrest, providing maximum support in the right places. Features naturally include air conditioning, a CD player, cruise control and an unusual speed limiter which you could set in a limit area and the engine simply won’t drive the car above that limit unless you do a ‘kickdown’ on the accelerator. The automatic 'hand'brake comes into action when the engine is switched off. The 2.2-litre dCi has a power output of 150bhp and it is very quiet and refined indeed. A 2-litre petrol version is even quicker, quieter and smoother. Stars: 9/10

Renault Espace

The next generation Renault Espace will in main markets have power from three optional petrol engines, including a 2-litre 130bhp, a 2-litre turbocharged 165bhp and a 3.5-litre V6 outputting 245bhp. We’re not likely to have those last here, or two of the turbodiesels to be on offer elsewhere - but we’ll probably have the 1.9-litre 120bhp dCi from the Laguna II. The latest version will come equipped with ABS, emergency braking assistance, ESP dynamic driving control, automatic handbrake, bi-xenon light, personalised front and back air conditioning setting, large panoramic sunroof, 8 airbags, and integrated seatbelts. Specifications should also include parking assistance, rain and light sensors. And the company plans to take 20 per cent of the luxury MPV segment in its first year. Here will be a much smaller aim, but there are enough committed Espace fans out there to provide a healthy niche turnover. Stars: N/A