The Estate version of Renault's mid-size Laguna is a nicely-styled European alternative for those considering a wagon.
Loaded with features and well-built, the Laguna Estate is nice to drive and highlights the strengths of France's number one automotive brand.
What You Get
Renault handed Car Showroom the keys to a range-topping 'Dynamique' model Laguna Estate powered by the 2.0-litre diesel engine driving through a six-speed automatic transmission. The other model is called 'Expression'.
Included in the extra kit, the Dynamique features 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear parking sensor, a tyre-pressure monitor (an excellent feature with a dashboard readout showing the exact pressure in each tyre), leather/Alcantara seats, auto-folding exterior mirrors and some extra chrome on the outside.
The Expression model is priced at $45,490 while our Dynamique is stickered at $50,690 - that's sharp Pricing when shopped against similar vehicles from rivals such as Peugeot, Saab and Alfa Romeo.
Under The Hood
Car Showroom’s Laguna Estate was powered by the 2.0-litre dCi diesel engine which is good for 110kW at 4,000rpm and peak torque of 340Nm at just 2,000rpm.
All of Renault’s major markets prefer diesel so it should come as no surprise that this contemporary powerplant is powerful, refined and already complies with the upcoming Euro V emissions regulations (two years before the standards are mandatory). Combined cycle fuel economy is as low as 6.0l/100kms (manual) and the emissions are rated at 158g/km.
It’s a similar story with Laguna’s petrol engine – a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit providing 125kW/270Nm.
The Interior
With its European origins, the Laguna Estate oozes style and refinement inside. For starters the nicely sculptured seats are trimmed in a combination of leather and Alcantara and the carpets are thick.
We liked the thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel which in the modern way is slightly D-shaped with the flattish lower edge providing a sporty touch.
The instruments are a conventional layout with the audio and climate-controls on the center console. Renault scores high marks for the simplicity of fine-tuning the air-conditioning with simple blue/red buttons and a 'Soft-Auto-Fast' function ('Auto' is the default function - just set the desired temperature - while 'Soft' produces quiet, refined operations and 'Fast' delivers a stronger airflow like you need on a hot, summer day).
We also scored the Laguna highly for the simple steering wheel-mounted buttons for the cruise control.
On the audio front, there is a dash-mounted six-CD system with an MP3 CD reader.
The Car Showroom juniors were comfortable in the rear seat and appreciated the integrated sun blinds in the rear side doors.
With all five seats in place the Laguna Estate provides 501 litres of luggage space or with the split-fold rear seat folded that grows to a handy 1,593 litres. The rear door is cut low for easy loading and the load area is flat.
Renault uses a plastic card in place of a traditional ignition key and this includes a 'See Me Home' function which leaves the lights on for a time to illuminate your nightly trip to the front door.
Exterior & Styling
The team at Renault's design department have been turning out nice work in the past few years and the Laguna Hatch and Estate are excellent examples.
At 4.8 metres in length, the Laguna Estate is similarly proportioned to other European wagons.
But the proportions of the design give Renault's wagon a stylish and contemporary on-road presence. We like the fluid lines from the long, sloping bonnet all the way to the dynamically-shaped rear end with large rear lights.
The Laguna features a distinctive sloping bonnet with large headlights (Xenon directional lights are optional).
And the integrated roof bars are a nice finishing touch.
On The Road
With 110kW/340Nm, Renault's 2.0-litre turbo-diesel beats Peugeot's 100kW/320 Nm2.0-litre, and is lineball with Saab and Alfa Romeo's 1.9-litre units which deliver 110kW/320Nm.
Renault says the combined cycle fuel economy is 7.1l/100kms and emissions are 188g/km.
We tackled our mountain roads test route in wet conditions, fully loaded with two adults, two children and assorted paraphernalia in the luggage compartment. The Laguna was pleasantly responsive and the six-speed transmission kept performance on song.
Around town, the Laguna Estate was refined over bumps and - helped by the rear sensor - parking in tight spaces was not too challenging.
Standard safety features include ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program with traction control. There are dual front airbags, side thorax airbags, curtain airbags and rear thorax airbags.
Challenges
Renault persists with mounting the fingertip controls for its audio systems in a separate arrangement behind the steering wheel. It just takes some getting used-to and we wonder why they don't just mount them on the actual wheel like so many others.
We also found the Laguna Estate a tad short on odds-n-ends storage compartments inside (even the center console box is quite small).
On the road, we reckon the Laguna's power steering is too assisted and doesn't provide the level of feedback one normally gets with European cars.
Verdict
Overall the Laguna Estate - like the entire Renault range - is very well done. Great contemporary style, practical and versatile, this French wagon must be considered by anyone shopping for a mid-size European wagon.
The Competition
Alfa Romeo's 159 Sportwagon 1.9-litre is a nice drive but it's a bit pricier than the Laguna. Pricing for Alfa's potent 2.4-litre-powered wagon starts with a '6'.
Peugeot's 407 Touring is competent, nice to drive and sharply priced. You'll have to decide about the looks.
Saab's turbo-diesel wagons have a lot to offer but require some extra coin to match the Laguna's specifications.
Thumbs-up:
Nice styling; well-built; smartly packaged; refined driving dynamics
Thumbs-down:
Fiddly audio controls; over-assisted power steering
