Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Laguna Coupe GT dci

French giant takes aim at VW Scirocco with stylish, refined new grand tourer. we try range-topping V6 diesel version

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Renault Laguna
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Laguna is a real looker and the exquisite interior is a delight. What’s more, the refined V6 diesel is not only perfectly suited to the kind of upmarket GT the Renault aspires to be, it returns nearly 40mpg on the combined cycle. But the ride lets the Coupé down – while it handles like a sports car, the newcomer is simply too firm for a big tourer. Add some softer dampers to the mix, and it could be brilliant.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's the stunning sports car that proves style is still top of the agenda at Renault. This is the firm’s all-new flagship – the Laguna Coupé. The shapely machine caused a real stir when it debuted as a concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

It’s easy to see why, as this is the sleekest, curviest thing to come out of France since the  Sixties Alpine Renault A110. Bosses have set their sights on affordable but stylish coupé rivals such as the Volkswagen Scirocco. They want to prove looks and entertainment don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. That’s why the new Laguna Coupé range is expected to start at less than £20,000.

Although it hasn’t kept the concept’s exotic gullwing-style scissor doors, the Coupé has plenty of visual appeal. The wide grille, swept-back roofline and deep-set badge mark it out as something special.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Qashqai e-POWER

2022 Nissan

Qashqai e-POWER

21,029 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £23,600
View Qashqai e-POWER
Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

22,479 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £18,000
View Tucson
HS

2022 MG

HS

20,037 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,400
View HS
Swift

2021 Suzuki

Swift

20,589 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £11,500
View Swift

Under the skin there will be a choice of three petrol engines and two diesels – a pair of 2.0-litre turbos and a 3.5 V6, plus a 2.0 dCi and a range-topping 3.0 V6 dCi. Of those, it’s likely that the oil-burners will be the strongest sellers. Climb inside, and the interior is much the same as that of the regular Laguna hatchback.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s all the comfort you would expect to find in an upmarket French coupé, too – the soft-touch dashboard and leather-trimmed steering wheel bring welcome luxury, and the Bose stereo is first-rate. While rear legroom is generous, the raked roofline compromises headroom, so anyone approaching six foot tall is likely to feel cramped.

To find out what the latest model is like on the road, we drove the top-of-the-range V6 dCi. Fire it up and it’s so quiet, you could struggle to identify it as a diesel. The smooth and refined unit thrums quietly, and even as the revs approach the red line there’s little noise. Squeeze the throttle and the engine’s 450Nm of torque propel the Coupé along with amazing mid-range gusto, so overtaking is a breeze. The oil-burning V6 is a great motor, ideal for long journeys.

Adding to the appeal, the Coupé is satisfying to drive. The low-down seating position, supportive chairs and small glass areas combine to create a cocoon-like environment. As for handling, the newcomer is agile when the pace picks up. Thanks to its sporty suspension and clever four-wheel-steering, you can take corners quickly with complete confidence. Feedback from all the wheels is strong, so understeer is easily identified and corrected.

Although the newcomer is precise, the steering itself doesn’t provide sufficient feel. And that’s the only thing to take the edge off the Laguna’s otherwise excellent responses. The sharp driving experience comes at a price, as the ride is harsh over bumps and renders the Coupé a bit too rigid to be a true grand tourer. Over long distances, that roughness soon proves wearing.

Still, this is outweighed by the excellent handling and that cabin, which has all the credentials of a GT. They are what make the latest Renault an ideal companion for long trips on smooth motorways.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,560 off RRP*Used from £14,600
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,028 off RRP*Used from £12,500
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,463 off RRP*
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £9,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales
Luxury car tax

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales

Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers?
News
22 May 2025
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025