Renault Laguna

Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi Sport Tourer

Auto Express Car Reviews

February 2008

The evolution of the Renault Laguna has echoed the changing tastes of buyers in the estate market. The first-generation car was a practical but boxy shape, and even came with the option of seven seats. Yet 13 years on and the latest model is very much a lifestyle car – indeed, the French firm now labels it a Sport Tourer.

This is illustrated by the sweeping design of the tailgate and the rising waistline. It’s a far cry from traditional load-luggers, and viewed from behind it comes across as very neatly styled. Sadly, the same can’t be said of the front, where odd headlights dominate the ungainly nose.

Things do improve when you open the tailgate. The Laguna is simple to load thanks to a sill height of only 500mm – the lowest in this test – while underneath the boot floor there’s a useful, albeit fairly shallow, storage tray.

There are plenty of other user-friendly features, too. The parcel shelf is self-retracting, like the Fabia’s, but the Renault’s can also be stored in a clever slot under the floor. Even better is the seat-folding mechanism; simply pull a lever in the boot or press a button next to the backrest and the seat automatically collapses. With the rear chairs folded flat, the Renault equals the Volvo for overall boot length and is only seven litres behind for space.

However, while the 1,593-litre capacity seems generous, compared to rivals such as the Ford Mondeo, which has a 1,733-litre load area, it lags behind. Nevertheless it’s well finished, and rear passenger space is good; 730mm of legroom is more then the Mercedes and Volvo, while the wide doors make getting in simple.

The driving environment is equally pleasant, and a big step forward in quality for Renault. A neatly laid-out centre console is the highlight, while soft-touch materials and a well trimmed steering wheel add to the upmarket feel. Comfort has clearly been a key factor in the design, and on the move the car is extremely quiet and well insulated.

Unfortunately, the rest of the driving experience doesn’t live up to that early promise. The strong 2.0 dCi engine is let down by a notchy six-speed gearbox. Even worse is the fidgety ride, which can’t deal with broken surfaces. Although this improves when the boot is loaded up, the Laguna is unrefined when compared to its family class rivals. We even found the Kia more relaxing and composed, especially along B-roads.

However, the Laguna does come with a new 100,000-mile warranty and is competitive on value, too. Our top-of-the-range Dynamique S is £20,650, but the entry-level 1.5 dCi Expression model starts at only £17,300.