Renault Laguna Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Renault Laguna range
Prices: £17,795-£24,145 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 8E-12E [est]
Emissions: 120-175g/km
Performance: [2.0] 0-60mph 9.0s / Max Speed 130mph
Fuel Consumption: [1.5 dCi 110] (combined) 60.1mpg
Safety: Twin front,side & curtain airbags, ABS, EBA, ESP.
Dimensions: [Hatch] Length/Widthmm 4695/1811/1445

LAGGING IN FRONT

Our Rating: 7.1 / 10

Renault is confident that its latest restyled Laguna has the right stuff. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Renault’s improved Laguna claims to be smarter – in more ways than one. Yes, the styling is sharper, but more important is the technology on offer which sees diesel versions capable of as little as 120g/km of CO2 and a greater availability of the 4Control four-wheel steering chassis. There’s a smarter sat nav and sound system too which, added to the Laguna’s existing strengths of comfort, space and quality, rejuvenate its offering in the Mondeo-sized medium range sector.

The medium range family car sector has always been a tough nut to crack but you get the sense that the manufacturers whose products compete there are having a harder time of it than ever. The market for this type of vehicle is being squeezed from all sides, by the increasing popularity of specialised alternatives like compact MPVs and 4x4s as well as by compact executive saloons from above and premium family hatchbacks from below. On top of all this, the medium range contenders themselves are an increasingly capable bunch, forcing the brands that want to maintain a toehold in this market to work harder than ever for a slice of the fast diminishing pie. It’s in this cutthroat environment where the Renault Laguna competes and the latest version has upped its game a few well targeted areas.

The Laguna’s engine range is biased towards diesel but the diverse range aims to cover the full gamut of customer demand for performance and economy. It’s diesel which the fleet business that props up this sector of the market will be focused on and that means the 1.5-litre dCi 110 and the 2.0-litre dCi unit that’s offered in 130, 150 or 180 states of tune. The petrol collection has been slimmed down to a 2.0-litre 16v engine with 138bhp that was developed jointly by Renault and Nissan. It’s a strong unit but that won’t stop the majority of buyers choosing diesel. The 1.5-litre engine does a surprisingly competent job and the 2.0-litre dCi options also impress with their lively mid-range acceleration. Six-speed manual gearboxes come as standard on all models but the 150bhp diesel is also available with Renault’s slick six-speed auto.

The previous generation Laguna could certainly pound out the motorway mileage but it was never the sharpest of customers when presented with a corner. Renault has tried to address this with the 4Control 4-wheel steering system now offered on the dCi 180 top diesel variant. This slightly steers the rear wheel for easier parking at low speeds and greater stability and safety at higher ones. Even more humble Lagunas roll less than they did originally and respond better, though this still isn’t one of the sportier drives in the medium range sector. Where it does excel is in the areas of ride comfort and refinement. Even with the entry-level diesel installed, the Laguna is hushed at motorway speeds and the suspension irons out poor road surfaces with real aplomb without getting too wobbly through the bends.

From the outside, this Laguna is different – but not too different. The look is certainly more assertive, thanks to revised 'eyelid' headlights, wide foglamps and a long bonnet which slopes gently down to the smart pearlescent black grille. More extensive use of chrome trimming is further supposed to highlight the dynamic credentials of both Hatchback and Sport Tourer estate models. The interior remains unaltered apart from a more up-market choice of upholstery but there was very little wrong with that in the first place, Renault having concocted one of the sector’s slickest cabin environments.

All models get the latest ABS technology with brake assist and ESP stability control. Should that fail, the passive safety provision runs to double pressure, double chamber airbags and dual pre-tensioner seatbelts. Renault has also focused on side-impact protection with thorax and pelvis side airbags fitted along with sensors that determine the force of any impact, adjusting the release time of the safety systems accordingly.

The Hatch and Sport Tourer bodystyles are offered in a slimmed down range of Renault trim designations starting with Expression and Dynamique and exten