Got an embarrasing story for you. A couple of weeks ago we found ourselves with three press car bookings in the same week. Tony was strapped into the new R36 Passat, The Insider had his bum in a Colorado and I thought I had a week off.
That was until The Insider called and said Renault had the new Laguna waiting for us. I didn’t think to ask which one and assumed that it was the brand new 2.0–litre petrol turbo (that I knew was due out in September).
Now, I have to confess that I had never driven a Laguna and wasn’t sure what to expect. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot.
My attention is aroused by cars that have a defining factor, you know, something that sets them apart from the competition. Most powerful, most economical, most refined, class leading build quality, the latest technology (maybe a DSG gearbox or similar), or maybe it’s just a stunner – one or more of those attributes in a certain model, and it becomes interesting.
The press car was a silver Privilege Hatch, no identifying badges aside from ‘Laguna’. So I jumped in, slotted the ‘key card’ into the dash, switched the radio to Gold FM (showing my age a little maybe…), hit the start button and moved out into Melbourne morning peak-hour traffic.
It always takes a little while to adjust to a new car, The Insider will tell you that you continue to drive the previous ‘tester’ for a couple of days, until you adjust to the nuances of the new one - and I tend to agree.
The first thing I noted in the Laguna was the plentiful torque available in the lower end of the rev range. Put your foot down, and the Laguna fairly bolts. It was also immediately obvious that the Jatco 6-speed auto was a pearler, smooth and intuitive.
In fact, it was so good on the down-changes that coasting up to red lights only needed a dab on the brakes to bring the Laguna to a halt. Plenty of engine braking on the menu here, and that should have been a dead give-away really, but not on this occasion and not with this particular dill behind the wheel. (We’re experts here ain’t we?)
I then steered for the Tullamarine freeway and headed for the hills around Trentham and Daylesford, via Woodend.
On the open road, the Laguna proved itself to be powerful, quiet and comfortable. Overtaking was a doddle. Point and squirt had you riding a wave of creamy torque that saw the Laguna bolting past 18-wheelers with alacrity.
No perceptible turbo-lag either. Impressive, I wasn’t expecting to feel much at all for the Laguna but it was rapidly winning me over.
My only concern at this point, was a slight (and I mean slight) vibration felt when resting my elbow on the armrest. A little bit agricultural perhaps and not as silky smooth as most 2.0–litre petrol fours.
Maybe I’d found something not to like? I certainly hoped that I had; I wanted something to complain about. Don’t we all?
The Laguna is a comfortable place to spend your driving time (although adults sitting in the rear soon feel the effects of the limited leg-room). The test car was fitted with a dual sunroof (optional) and the standard cream leather interior of the Privilege, a combination which resulted in a light and airy interior that is hard to fault.
If you want to use the seat warmers, you’ll need to go digging for the button, down the side of the seat near the door. For the speed warning switch, that’s in the centre console. But aside from those little quirks, it is a well laid-out and nicely put-together interior.
The Laguna is also well insulated, making the driving experience a pleasantly quiet one, with nary a hint of engine noise…
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium) 
2009 Honda Civic Type R 
2009 Nissan 370Z Auto 
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI 
2009 HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer
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I noticed you took a lot more photo’s of the rear than the front………i think the front end will be a bigger deal breaker than the price!!
What a shame because it seems that with a redesigned front bumper they would have a very nice car.
That’s just my crappy camera skills Carl. The rear shots turned out better…
I quite like the Laguna’s looks although others at TMR share your concerns with the front.
Its a great drive though
I’ve trolled one around Melbourne’s inner suburbs a while ago, nothing over 60km/h but I was so impressed with the cabin isolation and the ride comfort. Sadly the back seat is an abortion, if only for the lack of foot room, but the interior is a huge step up from the previous model. Also noted is the stiff chassis, the only other Renault that will lift a rear wheel into my driveway is the Megane RS so the new Laguna has made some worthwhile improvements over it’s predecessor.
Sounds like a great car but its hard to go past the Mondeo on pricing. 12k is just too much of a gap.
Okay, so you’ve never driven a modern diesel before. But for those of us who have, it’s so much better than petrol. The torque for starters.
The Laguna is ugly, overpriced and rides very, very badly. I reckon they’ll sell three. Maybe four.
Hmmm, might be jumping to a wrong conclusion or two there Steve.
There is a hod-load of modern diesels that clatter like a tinker’s trailer (I’m driving one at the moment). But there are others that are all-but transparent, particularly when combined with a slick auto. You’re hard-pressed to pick the 520d diesel from behind the wheel, the C5, any of the new-gen Audis… especially if you’ve just jumped out of something a little on the coarse side - like a modern twin-cab ‘fourby’ diesel ute… yep, that’s what the Steanster drives (he’s deranged, but on the improve if he sticks to the medication.)
Not sure you’ve driven it by the comment about the ride; did you mean handling? (But it’s not bad there either: typical French longer-travel suspension, lots of lean, but essentially pretty well pinned.)
It’s also interesting the word ‘ugly’ when applied to cars, because it’s so subjective. French cars seem to attract it more than most. I’m not so sure about the new Laguna myself, but loved the style of the old one. Perhaps “quirky”, or “individual”… but ok, not to everyone’s taste.
Jump behind the wheel of the Clio Sport or Megane Turbo one day. They’re both in my top ten affordable blasts.
The Insider
Steve - I am a big diesel fan actually. I own one, I’m currently driving another and the majority of my test cars to-date have been diesels.
Looks - thats your call - but you obviously haven’t driven the Laguna if you think it rides badly.
i freaking love this car, most people ive talked 2 about it have said its ugly, i think its awesome, i especially love the styling of the rear lights, and overall its just SEXY!
This has been a great review, bravo!
I agree with Action Jackson, I love this car! I love the ultimately French looks, I love the beautiful and well built interior, I love that sunroof, and I love the fact that its a diesel.
To me those modern quiet and refined diesels are so European. If you want a really European car, go for the diesel (like how Merc’s top range engine in the C-Class is the C320 CDI [not including AMG], Citroen has launched the new C5 in Aus with only diesels).
Also I think the Laguna is worth that price over the Modeo, if got the standard kit, its got the refinement, its got the build quality to challenge a BMW 3-series! Also, compare the nice pricing of this euro to the Citroen C5… Makes this car look a little underpirced…
Anyway, I love the sexy car, thanks for the stellar review Steane.
I’m not sure how it is in down under, but in europe there are several style lines, the privilage is the top of them all. Comparing the Laguna III with Ford Mondeo you should also compare the goodies the Laguna has included. After all the Ford Mondeo is a good car, but Laguna is better (in my opinien) and at least the better offering.
The Laguna (and similar Kiloeos) Privilege interior has to be one of the sexiest interiors around at the moment- and the first I’ve seen approaching the class of my 13 y.o. Ivory interior in a Soarer. Note to VW/Skoda- if you’re going to offer a beige interior, take a leaf out of Renault’s book and match it with a darker beige, not horrible old dark grey (the Soarer is matched with a darkish brown- not as nice as the Laguna pairing).
Pity Renault don’t offer the Privilege interior with the wagon. Pity also they don’t offer a beige fabric like Skoda.
As for the exterior styling, it’s OK without being overly exciting… like an Octavia.