What is it?
Renault might describe this Laguna as a 'Sport Tourer', but you're more likely to refer to it as an estate car. The big-booted version of Renault's new Laguna adds some practicality to the hatchback, and arguably smarter looks. Indeed, although criticised when launched for being an unadventurous design, the Laguna is actually a rather handsome looking car - the estate version even more so. Competition for it comes from the usual large family car opposition, which means the French car takes on rivals like the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda6, Peugeot 407 and a host of other European and Japanese models. Being a bit more practical the Laguna Sport Tourer is also battling for sales against compact MPVs and even four-wheel drives.
Being in that traditional, mainstream class means it's got to appeal to a wide range of buyers. So Renault offers plenty of choice, the Laguna Tourer offered with two 2.0-litre petrol units of 140 and 170bhp, the latter being turbocharged. The diesel range is more extensive, starting with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel with 110bhp, the 2.0-litre that complements it being offered in 130, 150 and 175bhp outputs. Six-speed manuals are standard, but if you'd rather have a self-shifter there's a six-speed auto as standard on the 170bhp petrol and as an option with the 150bhp turbodiesel engine. Four trim levels are offered: Expression, Dynamique, Dynamique S and Initiale.
Is it any good?
It needs to be, as the marketplace it competes in is a tough one that's being attacked from not just those new niches, but also the premium badged competition that everyone seems to want parked on their drive. Renault admits that the old Laguna did it no favours regarding its reputation for reliability, it suffering terribly from mechanical and electrical gremlins. Renault is confident that it has sorted out these problems with the latter models of the old Laguna, this new-found improved reliability hopefully featuring on the new car. Certainly Renault tested the new Laguna more extensively than before, and it feels and looks like a quality item.
The interior is smartly finished, the materials nicely tactile and the design smart. There are plenty of buttons though, navigating around all the controls taking some practice, particularly those on the transmission tunnel for operating the optional satnav. The instrument dials are particularly neat in simple white-on-black, the overall finish less fussy and classier than its chief rival, the Ford Mondeo. The super-fold one-pull latches for dropping the rear seatbacks are useful, as is the area under the floor for the roller luggage blind should you be using the full capacity of the boot. To drive it's very refined, the ride good and body control also decent - not as sharp to drive as a Mondeo on challenging roads, but the Laguna counters by not feeling so large. The diesel engines are the ones to go for, even the 110bhp 1.5-litre doing a decent job, the 175bhp unnecessary after sampling the easy-driving nature of the 150bhp or even 130bhp versions.
Should I call the bank manager?
As the majority of Lagunas are likely to be bought with company money it's likely you won't have to call the bank. If Renault's promise of greater reliability is proven then the Laguna Sport Tourer will be an attractive proposition in the estate car market. Surprisingly, Renault's figures highlight that the more practical car has a lower age demographic than the regular hatch, which is likely due to the estate's more family-friendly load area. Safety is a given, Renault long a leader in the Euro NCAP tests, so although not yet confirmed we'd be amazed if the new Laguna didn't improve on its already five-star crash performance in the independent tests. It's a shame looking through the specifications that Renault hasn't fitted Bluetooth telephone integration or an auxiliary MP3 connector as standard, as otherwise it offers a decent value package.
Summary
Renault has the unenviable task of wooing not just new buyers to the new Laguna, but also those who may have had bad experiences with the old car. It seems that it has the right ingredients to do so as the Sport Tourer is a smart-looking, nice driving and quality-feeling estate car.
Kyle Fortune
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