Renault Laguna Sport Tourer GT Line TomTom 2.0 dCi 180 FAP 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The 2.0 litre four cylinder diesel engine produces maximum figures of 180bhp at 3750rpm and 295lb-ft at 2000rpm and feels adequately potent. A 0-62 mph time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 135mph are quite respectable and the engine is surprisingly smooth and refined.

The Laguna Sport Tourer’s ride is generally comfortable albeit a little on the firm side although potholes and larger bumps can send a jolt from the suspension clonking through the cabin. Four wheel steering is part of the GT Line package and it helps improve grip in corners and as with the other models in the line-up, body roll is kept pretty much in check too but the steering doesn’t provide much feedback as to what is happening down at the front wheels. On the open road at cruising speeds there is very little in the way of wind and road noise in the cabin and overall it’s a pleasant place to soak up motorway miles.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat and the steering wheel so most drivers should be able to find a decent position. The dashboard is nicely laid with easy to read instruments and for the most part it has an upmarket look and feel about it.

The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer GT Line TomTom 2.0 dCi 180 FAP 5dr is a smart if not exciting looking car and there is something quintessentially French about its smooth lines. Inside, you get a CD, MP3 connectivity, Satnav, Bluetooth, electric windows, electric door mirrors, leather and Alcantara seats, cruise control, rear parking sensors, and climate control as standard. It also comes with alloy wheel, an alarm and immobiliser and front fog lights.

Metallic paint is a £470 option.

There is plenty of room in the cabin to seat five however the boot doesn’t offer as much load space as some others in this class – 501 litres of space with the rear seats in place or 1593 litres with them folded down.

The Laguna comes with a five star Euro NCAP rating so it’s a safe car to travel in. It has six airbags as well as ABS and stability control.

Renault have a questionable reputation for reliability although they purport to have worked hard on improvements, but for a certain piece of mind this car comes with a three year 100,000 mile warranty. Fuel economy is very good for a car of this size and its carbon footprint of 152 g/km means its running costs won’t be too high.

At £25,110 the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer GT Line TomTom 2.0 dCi 180 FAP 5dr is competitively priced in its class. It has a roomy, comfortable cabin with a high spec and a useful amount of luggage space. It drives well, has plenty of grunt and gives a reasonably refined ride. It feels sturdy and well bolted together but it’s not the most appealing or practical car in its class and it’ll attract fairly low resale values.

A combined cycle of 48.7mpg is an impressive figure for a car of this size and with a CO2 emissions figure of 152g/km the taxes and running costs won’t break the bank. Overall the Laguna represents fairly decent value for money.