Renault reprises the Laguna

Renault has reinvigorated the Laguna by way of a raft of specification changes and some visual tweaks, so you might want to hold off buying that new one you had your eye on until June 1st, when the order book opens on this version.

In its own words, Renault has wrung the changes 'in response to customer feedback since its European launch at the end of 2007,' and has given the Laguna a 'simplified range structure.' Yet, there are still 38 versions across four trim levels, which go as follows: Expression, which gets a decent Arkamys stereo with MP3 and Bluetooth; Dynamique, the sporty one, decked out in a full body kit and with climate control and parking sensors; Tom Tom Edition, which is basically a Dynamique with a Tom Tom sat nav included; and Initiale, aka the kitchen sink version. That gets leather, 17-inch wheels, heated seats, xenon headlamps and wood for the cabin, among other luxuries.

Prices start from £16,795 for a bog standard hatch to £25,650 for a range-topping Sport Tourer (that's the estate). All cars come with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, as well as air conditioning, lots of airbags, electric door mirrors, traction control and accident-preventing understeer control. There are also ten 'eco2' versions, all with CO₂ levels below 140g/km because power comes from dCi 110 and dCi 150 diesel engines, the former boasting a 745-mile range from a single tank.

Mark Nichol