Item: Used Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2000 - 2008
Author: Steve Huntingford

What is it like?

Ownership cost

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Estate

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

LAGUNA

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

Used Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2000 - 2008

Heavy depreciation from new makes a used Laguna a bargain, while its top-flight safety helps keep insurance groups low. However, the car's reliability isn't anything to write home about, so buying an older one brings the risk of frequent garage bills.

And those bills can be quite high. Some ordinary jobs are long and complex, although routine spares are fairly priced.

On the other hand, servicing costs are average for a family car, and on-board sensors determine how far apart the services are. It's possible to stretch the gap between routine visits to 15,000 miles and beyond if you drive carefully.

Fuel economy is strong, too, with the 1.9 130 diesel achieving up to 47mpg overall and 57mpg on a long, gentle run. The 2.0 manages a reasonable 34mpg maximum overall and 44mpg on a run, but only 25mpg in town. Worst of all is the 3.0 that drinks petrol, struggling to manage 19mpg in town and only 28mpg overall.

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The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer is pleasant (without being especially good) and outstandingly safe, but reliability is a definite worry

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.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renaults</a> give their owners more grief than most other makes. The What Car? Reliability Index rates them poorly, while the JD Power customer satisfaction survey reveals plenty of unhappy owners. The Laguna, at least, is no better or worse than other models in the line-up.

First off, check all the necvessary recall work has been done. There have been several recalls to fix, among other things, a fuel leak and safety-related problems with the towing ball (where fitted), as well as several to cure acceleration problems.

That aside, the 1.9 diesels can suffer turbo failure. Have an emissions check done before buying and check that the service history is complete, because missed oil changes can make such problems happen even earlier.

At the same time, look for any electrical glitches: check that all the warning lights come on and go out when they should, and that the climate control and other minor functions work correctly.

Many cars have tyre pressure sensors fitted, but these are often inaccurate or have stopped working long ago.

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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.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/laguna/hatchback/used-review/n573">Laguna</a> 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mondeo/hatchback/review/n15">Mondeo</a>.

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Used Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2000 - 2008 review

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