Renault Laguna GT vs Toyota Verso T180

Has the Renault Laguna finally turned a corner? Since its launch last year, the family car has received a cool reception and struggled to keep up in a sector where every new model raises the bar. Most recently, the Laguna finished last in our five-car Honda Accord test.

The two areas letting the Renault down are its handling and styling – and those are the weaknesses that should be addressed by the new range-topping GT model. As well as a striking bodykit, it gets an ActiveDrive chassis with advanced four-wheel steering promising improved handling and safety. We try it here in Sport Tourer guise, with a potent diesel engine. But the Renault faces some stiff competition.

Toyota’s flexible Verso T180 MPV takes a wildly different approach to providing entertaining but practical family transport, yet it’s the ideal opponent for the Laguna. Look beyond their different body styles, and the similarities are startling. They both have 177bhp diesel engines and produce 400Nm of torque. They’re also separated by only £315 on price, and a mere 2kg on the scales.

However, the Toyota has the advantage in terms of versatility thanks to a third row of occasional chairs – but will it be taking a back seat in this test, where practicality must come hand-in-hand with a sporty driving experience?