2008 Renault Laguna Privilège dCi Hatch Road Test Review

laguna_7

Having sung the Laguna’s praises I bet you’re wondering what’s wrong it? Well, there is a small matter of pricing, with the Laguna Privilege diesel starting at $50,690, a price that makes a 5-door diesel Mondeo (from $37,990) look like seriously good value.

You can take heart from the fact that the Laguna is better, just not necessarily $12,700 better.

There is also the fact that Jeremy Clarkson doesn’t like the Laguna at all. In fact, he thinks that all Laguna drivers are ‘wife swappers’. While that may be a fact (or not) he is completely wrong about the Laguna being anything but a stellar drive.

laguna_5

The Last Word

 

A real surprise package, the Laguna impresses with its ride and handling. The major controls (steering and brakes) feel bang on. One of the quieter diesel drives on the market, the Laguna should be on the short list of anyone shopping for a midsize diesel family car.

 

steane-likes

  • Strong quiet diesel
  • Build quality
  • 5-Star safety rating
  • Excellent ride quality
  • Confident handling
  • It's a looker

steane-dislikes

  • A little pricey when compared to the obvious opposition

Gallery

Specs

Engine type diesel Capacity 2188cc Bore x Stroke 87mm x 92mm Number of cylinders 4 Compression Ratio 18:1 Max Power 102kW @ 4000rpm Max Torque 320Nm @ 1750rpm Type of injection Common Rail Transmission 6-speed automatic Economy combined cycle 7.7 L/100km Turning circle kerbs 10.9m Front suspension MacPherson strut type, negative offset with lower wishbone and anti-sway bar. Coil springs and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers Rear suspension H style rear axle with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-sway bar. Wheels 7.0 J 17 Tyres 225/45 R17 Brakes front ventilated discs 308mm Brakes rear solid discs 274mm

ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)

Fuel tank capacity 70L Unladen kerb weight Manual/Auto 1495kg Luggage compartment volume 475 litres

Standard Features

To keep things neat, we’ve hidden the Laguna’s feature list.  To view the list, click below.

 

Laguna Diesel Standard Features

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with understeer control

ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Emergency

Brake Assist

Driver and front passenger adaptive SRS airbags

Driver and passenger lateral SRS airbags

Side SRS curtain airbags (front and rear)

Programmed Restraint System (PRS)

Front /outer rear seatbelt pretensioners

Load force limiters in front seatbelts

3 rear 3-point lap-sash seatbelts

Side impact bars and honey combed padding in doors

Electronic park brake

Cruise control with speed limiter

Fuel cut-off in event of impact

Hands free perimeter central locking and ignition with Renault card

Door open and fasten seatbelt indicators

Electric door mirrors

Electric variable power assisted steering

Electric front and rear windows (with anti-pinch sensors)

Rain sensitive automatic wipers

Light sensitive automatic headlights

“See me home” function headlights

Dual zone climate control air conditioning

Air recycling and particle filter

Adjustable steering wheel

Lumbar adjustment on driver’s seat

Height adjustment on front seats

Height and recline adjustable front head restraints

Rear head restraints

AM/FM stereo with single CD and finger tip controls

Trip computer and outside temperature gauge

Front and rear armrests

Leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob

Sports seats trimmed in leather and cloth upholstery

Rear and lateral (second row) sunblinds

Illuminated vanity mirrors

Seatback storage pockets

Body coloured bumpers and mirrors

Chrome door handles

17” alloy wheels

Rear spoiler

Fog lamps (front and rear)

Electronic engine immobiliser

Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID) automatic locking system

 

GALLERY: renault-laguna-diesel

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Comments

  • Carl [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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.
  • Kezza [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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.
  • davidm [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Sounds like a great car but its hard to go past the Mondeo on pricing. 12k is just too much of a gap.
  • SteveM [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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.
    • The Insider [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      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 co*** 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
  • Action Jackson [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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!
  • Steven Poyser [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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.
  • vispasius [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    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.
  • Mike [reply]
    7 months ago 0 points
    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.

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