Laguna Sport Tourer vs rivals
Renault's new Laguna Sport Tourer is leading the firm’s drive upmarket. But is it good enough to beat established stars, the Honda Accord and Ford Mondeo? We put them head to head
If ever a car perfectly mirrored the changing trends in its class, it’s the Renault Laguna estate.
When the French family car first arrived 13 years ago, it was a square-backed load-lugger that placed the emphasis on cramming in as much gear as possible – it was even available with seven seats. But as MPVs have gained favour over the past decade, the estate’s traditional role has changed. The third-generation Sport Tourer’s boot is smaller than the first Laguna estate’s, as Renault is now focused on appealing to a different market sector: the lifestyle buyer.
But fashion and space don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and Renault is claiming the latest Sport Tourer is still big enough to cope with the most demanding families. What’s more, the rakish lines should help it take around 45 per cent of Laguna sales in the UK.
But Renault’s biggest challenge is to improve desirability, quality and service. To that end, the firm has invested heavily in the new car as part of its ‘Commitment 2009’ programme. The Laguna is available in four trim levels with six engines, and here we test the flagship diesel against two formidable challengers.
The Ford Mondeo swept all before it in 2007 – can it repeat the same trick this year? Meanwhile, the Honda Accord has been around for a while, but the Tourer still has much to offer. So let’s get down to the nitty gritty of finding out which is the best family estate of 2008...
Verdict
The result of this test isn’t as clear-cut as you might expect. None of our contenders is flawless. The Renault has the best engine, but suffers from a poor ride. That’s not something that afflicts the Mondeo, yet it’s a shame Ford didn’t create a more versatile load bay. Meanwhile, the Accord Tourer
is brilliantly thought out – but time has caught up with it.
A mix of the three would create a stunning family estate, but as that isn’t possible, the Renault is the first to fall. It’s much improved, but isn’t desirable enough to cut it as a lifestyle option, nor big enough to be a genuine load-lugger. However, it’s only just behind the Honda Accord.
The Tourer doesn’t have the most up-to-date cabin, but it’s a capable and cost-effective family hauler. Our winner is the Ford Mondeo. Big, handsome, with crisp road manners and a user-friendly interior, it’s not the cleverest car here – but it’s certainly the best.
