Renault LAGUNA
If you have people to carry but don't want a people carrier, the latest
Renault Laguna Sports Tourer provides a spacious alternative which also looks good. June Neary checks out the range
At this time of year, retail therapy is great fun but the kids hate shopping. We were glad of the chance to borrow Renaults latest Laguna Sports Tourer, the estate version of the latest smartly-styled model, to ferry ourselves and four weekend visitors to a local retail park. The mums had shopping in mind, while the dads and kids were off to the multi-screen cinema, a reasonable compromise all round. We all travelled together in comfort and style, which really added to the success of the expedition.
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On the latest Sports Tourer, the nose has been modified with a one-piece component that integrates the front bumper and grille. The bonnet line is shortened and more convex and the headlamps have been extended lengthwise. Moving round to the back shows a revised tail light configuration. The interior has come in for some attention too with improved ergonomics and materials quality.
The dashboard features better quality plastics with a redesigned centre console and repositioned stereo and ventilation controls. A revised moulding surrounds the top part of the fascia giving a swoopier look to the dashboard, but the basic architecture still feels a little older than some rivals.
In theory at least, theres significantly more space in this Laguna than was on offer in the old car, thanks to a wheelbase increased by nearly four inches. Not that it feels that way with three adults sat across the back
seat: the sloping rear roofline means that headroom is at something of a premium for the vertically challenged. As is space for their luggage, capacities for which are considerably reduced in both bodystyles. Expect to find 475 litres with all seats in use and up to 1,500 litres with the seats folded flat.
My husband enjoyed the outward drive and was reluctant to swap places to sit in the back to entertain three tired children. However, I did want to get behind the wheel myself and was very glad I did. My first comment would have to be the handling. Even fully laden the car manoeuvres beautifully.
I'm sure it would literally turn on a sixpence, which in view of the haphazard parking of fellow shoppers was a blessing indeed. The 1.9-litre 130bhp diesel model we tested wasn't the quietest car on the road but the engine noise nonetheless is muted compared to other new diesel options around. It cruises well and, around town, thanks to excellent power steering, it was relaxing to drive.
Prices meanwhile, range between £15,775 and £24,475. Under the bonnet, the Sport Tourer pursues the same luxury car for family money approach as its hatchback stablemate at least at the top of the range. The plushest petrol unit you can buy a 3.0-litre V6 develops a huge 210bhp.
The majority of petrol buyers choose the 140bhp 2.0-litre direct injection petrol unit which claims to be the greenest engine of its kind. Then there are three mainstream dCi diesel units developing 95bhp, 130bhp and 150bhp though the most powerful version can only be ordered with the plusher trim levels. In the most recent round of revisions, the 130bhp dCi engine was introduced with its Euro IV compliant emissions expected to prove a big draw for company car buyers.
Buyers seeking more power will gravitate towards the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine thats good for 165bhp or maybe even the 205bhp GT205 performance model which uses a more heavily turbocharged version of that engine.
I don't normally need such a big car, but whenever friends or family come to stay I would welcome the flexibility afforded by the Laguna in any of its forms. I also liked the look of it. The car is more than elegant enough when you need to cut a dash in the car park. Yes, another vote for
Renault.
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