Used Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2000 - 2008 review

What's the used Renault Laguna like?

The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer's looks are more important than its overall load space. Even so, it carries a fair bit and it's packed with thoughtful details, such as a rear window that opens separately from the rest of the tailgate.

Inside, it's pleasantly trimmed. The cabin feels roomy, helped by its big windows, although the poor view to the back makes reversing tricky.

Overview

The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer is pleasant (without being especially good) and outstandingly safe, but reliability is a definite worry

Pros

• It's stylish and comfortable, as well as being well equipped with first-rate safety features

Cons

• There's a shortage of luggage space, smaller engines are underpowered and reliability is poor

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The Laguna led the fad for replacing conventional keys with a credit card-sized slab of plastic. It looks intriguing, but the card is too thick to carry in your wallet easily and it still needs to be slotted into the dash before the car will start. So it's more of a gimmick than a benefit.

The car rides smoothly and drives nimbly enough. However, it never displays the sharpness and feedback you'll enjoy when driving a Mondeo.

Our recommendations

Which used Renault Laguna should I buy?

The Laguna was the first family car to win a five-star occupant safety rating from Euro NCAP. Each has four airbags, plus anti-lock brakes, topping off above-average kit levels across the range.

Unlike the Laguna hatch, the Sport Tourer has no low-end Authentique trim, and no 1.8 petrol engine. The 2.0 ought to pull well, but it puffs when five adults and their gear are aboard. Instead, go for a diesel, preferably the 130bhp 1.9. It pulls hard yet will return up to 47mpg. Avoid the 3.0 V6 petrol motor, though. It comes with a standard auto gearbox that isn't nearly as slick as you'd want it to be.

Sporty Dynamique trim packs alloy wheels, air-con and a CD player, which should be enough for anyone. Alternatively, there's Privilege or Initiale, each dripping with kit.

Buy from a car supermarket or an estate car specialist. And, if possible, get a model from after the revisions to the range in 2005, which included a new dash, and the launch of a GT model.

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