Renault Laguna 1.9 dCi > Reviews (21)

Yes, it's time for my second op on the trials and tribulations of our new cars.

Just to recap, we need a new car and we've limited it to 3 cars - the VW Passat, Renault Laguna and Saab 9-3. You may have read my Saab 9-3 op - and if not, why not? -, so now it's time for round two and it's time for a Parisian challenger in the face of the popular Renault Laguna and here is my op on it...

THE CURRENT FACE OF RENAULT

Well, Renault are probably set to go down as having one of the most bizarre ranges of cars in the world, by 2003 with an onslaught of stunning - or weird - new cars. The first of these cars comes in the Laguna, which stole the headlines with it's adventurous looks in 2000, but more on that later. Next up came the absolutely wacky Avantime 'Coupe - MPV' concept car that hit production. In the next couple of months, Renault's BMW 5-Series challenger will hit the streets and heads will turn so far, there will be a lot of strained muscles around Britain. It's futuristic looks have divided opinion, but either way, the Vel Satissaloon is definately an interesting alternative to it's German rivals. A wacky new Megane, Scenic and Espace is set to be on sale next year and a Clio isn't far off. They are also returning to F1 next year and big things are expected. Renaults future has never been better.

THE OPINION

THE CAR:RENAULT LAGUNA SPORTS TOURER 1.9dCI PRIVILEGE
LAUNCH:2000
RIVALS:
FORD MONDEO
VW PASSAT
NEW NISSAN PRIMERA
NEW VAUXHALL VECTRA

EXTERIOR STYLING

Before the launch of the new Laguna, the Renault range was in need of a boost. The Clio, Megane and Laguna ranges were looking towards retirement and at the time sales weren't great for the brand. What they needed was a style boost and the Laguna was just the job. Taking styling cues from the 1995 Initiale concept, the new Renault Laguna shows the way for the comparatively dull Ford Mondeo. At the front, the sharp front-end is complimented by aggressive headlights and a prominent grille, which however, is slightly spoiled by the rather random and unnecessary grey plastic strip.

The estate model of the previous Laguna was praised for being big and spacious, but it's boxy design was unappealing. So, in a bid to take the Laguna upmarket, a new name and styling was in order. An estate badge is no longer good enough. Now SportsTourer graces the new Laguna load-lugger, so as to make the Laguna more of a BMW 3-Series 'Touring' or the Audi A4 'Avant'. The new look also includes a sloping rear roofline to give the Laguna a new 'Sports Hatchback' aura about it. The abrupt back end includes new rear headlights and a large window.

The exterior styling is further enhanced by the standard 17” alloy wheels, called Silverstone cast. The 7 spoke alloys really lift the styling. I judge what a car is like by it’s wheel plates or wheels. These alloys look sporty and stylish, indicating the Laguna has a racy streak, while also looking classy.

INTERIOR STYLING

A lot of thought, effort and money has gone into the Laguna's interior and they have done very well.

Build quality is previous Renaults has been dire and you ran the risk of snapping the dashboard if you so much as sneezed. But, although not quite Passat or Mondeo standard, the Laguna is the best built car to come out of France. The design is refreshing too. The dashboard is dominated by a dense plastic cover, which goes some way to covering up all those slightly awkward things like the rather small radio. The silver/grey sheen of the plastics doesn't quite have the same solid look of it's German rivals, it still looks stylish and nicely sculptured.

A small information screen juts out of the top of the dashboard and higher models can be incorporated to take Renaults Satellite-Navigation, but for the lower models just has the information on the tyres and the radio. If you don’t want the flap on the dash open, just close it and control the radio via some stalks behind the steering wheel. Although a good idea, they can be a bit confusing to use. Everything has been designed with the buyer in mind, as even the climate control system on the Privilege model is stylish.

ON THE ROAD – ENGINE

At the moment the Renault Laguna comes with 5 engines, a 1.6-litre petrol, 1.8-litre petrol, a recently introduced 2-litre petrol, a 3.0-litre V6 petrol and a 1.9 common-rail diesel. The diesel range is set to expand with the launch of a new 2.2-litre V6 diesel in a few weeks.

We kept to the list and took the 1.9 diesel for a spin. Called dCi, the diesel is Renault’s first common-rail diesel for the Laguna and the improvements are clear. We are looking for a diesel that is going to be quiet and refined and unfortunately the Renault did seem a little grouchy as we went along the road. Fire up the124bhp engine and the customary diesel growl will be apparent, and we noticed a distinct feeling of vibration among the plastics, which was quite irritating at times.

The big complaint was the turbo lag of the engine. Turbo lag is common among many turbos, petrol or diesel. When you press the accelerator, the turbo needs a couple of seconds to kick in so there is a ‘dead-patch’ when you first try to get away from the corners. Coming from a petrol car, it was very noticeable. Ultimately, diesels are bought, as they are excellent value for money as they sip fuel rather than gulp it like it was going out of fashion. But we only had the car for a couple of hours so we couldn’t judge it on economy. We did try out it’s performance though and the it was brisk once you’d overcome the turbo lag. Figures claim the diesel can race up to 60mph in 10.5 seconds and if anything, it felt quicker actually in the car. A top speed of 125mph is claimed, but we don’t reach those speeds (We really don’t).

One of the Laguna’s most interesting features is the inclusion of an extra gear. Since the Laguna’s habitat is cruising down the M1, the lazy sixth gear means you can put it in the top gear and the car will just waft down the road in the calmest of fashions. The engine did get quieter as the journey went along, but I found myself struggling to hear my Dad in front of me when he spoke, but the roads along the A14 are quite poor and coming out of the refined Passat was a bit of a comedown.

As far as saving money goes - after all this is a diesel - the Laguna scores over it's rivals. The engine can return a combined total of 50.4 mpg in good driving, possibly more and that is above what other cars can achieve.

The CO2 tax is a big problem and is could be the deciding point at the end of the day since we are paying for it, and the Laguna is only 149g/km. If that means nothing to you, don't worry that is very good for a car of it's size and it puts it below its rivals too.

ON THE ROAD – THE DRIVE

Of course I cannot drive the car, but I could tell differences between the Laguna and out Passat. We had to try out the hatchback model as the estate wasn’t available. Initially, the Laguna seemed to vibrate a lot as we got going but things calmed down and it seemed to be very comfortable. Both the Passat and the Laguna Are set up similarly. Both have a soft suspension set-up, which enables a good ride but at the expense of good handling. The Ford Mondeo for instance can strike a good balance between the two, which is why it is the drivers choice. We drive an estate Passat and the extra bodywork actually makes it better to drive as it is stiffer at the top and stops the car from rolling. So the Laguna was noticeably wobbly when exiting roundabouts. But we are to try the estate, (I mean Sports Tourer) which will hopefully be more stable like the Passat.

As far as I could tell, the ride was very good and cushioned. It soaked up the bumps very well and remains composed too. The big bugbear was the amount of tyre and wind noise creeped into the cabin more than the Passat. But the larger window area of the Laguna seemed to be the blame for that.

VALUE FOR MONEY

This is where the Renault Laguna has gained it’s popularity over it’s rivals. While it’s stylish looks have been an attracting force, the Laguna’s value for money has often been the deciding factor for buyers to hand over the cash. Available in 5 different trims, Authentique, Expression, Dynamique, Privilege and Initiale, the Laguna has plenty of choice. The range is slightly more limited for the Sports Tourer, being available with the 3 middle trims. As you know, we have the Privilege, which is the highest trimmed diesel in the range. I knew the equipment list was very good and better than it’s rivals like the rather sparse Mondeo and the Passat, but the amount of kit is more than I’d imagined.

The similarly priced Passat, has dire equipment levels in comparison – The S model doesn’t even get an armrest!. Whether it was safety, comfort, security or style kit, the 1.9 dCi Privilege is the best equipped of the 3 cars we have limited to.

SAFETY KIT

DUAL STAGE AIRBAGS
DUAL FRONT AIRBAGS
SIDE AIRBAGS
REAR SIDE AIRBAGS
ABS
EBD
TRACTION CONTROL (OPTIONAL)
FOG LIGHTS
SIDE IMPACT BARS
SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONERS
TYRE PRESSURE MONITOR
PARKING SENSOR
AUTOMATIC WINDSCREEN WIPERS

COMFORT KIT

THE RENAULT CARD AND STARTER BUTTON
CLIMATE CONTROL
CD-AUTOCHANGER
WIDE ANGLE SUNROOF
LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
12V POWER POINT IN BOOT AND REAR
UNDER-FLOOR TRAY
PART LEATHER UPHOLSTRY
ELECTRIC FRONT WINDOWS
ELECTRIC REAR WINDOWS
REMOTE CENTRAL LOCKING
ELECTRIC DOOR MIRRORS
DEADLOCKS
ELECTRIC SUNROOF
ALARM
OPENING TAILGATE WINDOW

STYLING KIT

ALLOY WHEELS
ALLOY EFFECT ROOF RAILS
BODY COLOURED DOOR HANDLES
BODY COLOURED BUMPERS
XENON LIGHTS
FOG LIGHTS

It’s all impressive stuff.

Some of the features that are unique to the Laguna are the keyless card (read on) and the very interesting electric sunroof. We sat in the hatchback and we appreciated the swift (if noisy) electric sunroof, but buy the Sports Tourer and standard you’ll get a wide and long sunroof that will stretch to half way down the rear end. It’s a great feature and I love it myself.

The part leather upholstery looks and feels good quality thanks to it’s dark tones and it’ll increase the value of the car at resale as leather, whether it full or part is an in demand feature on cars when they’re used.

A CD-Autochanger is also on the list. It is in the boot and means you can put your 6 favourite CD’s in the machine, leave them and then choose what you want to listen to up at the front without any fuss.

Climate Control is available too. Placed at the bottom of the dash, it is ergonomic and easy to use as well as easy to read.

SAFETY

The Renault Laguna has a very comprehensive safety kit list as you can see. Now Renault are really selling many of their cars on the back of their magnificent safety record and the fact the Laguna is so far the only car to get the prestigious 5 stars in the widely acclaimed Euro NCAP crash tests. The tests claim that you have a stunning 97% chance of surviving a 40mph or less, crash, head on, on the side or sideways on a pole. The only car expected to get as close is the forthcoming Vel Satis from Renault themselves later in the year.

The Laguna benefits from brand new features too, such as dual stage airbags. In a bid to combat death during violent airbag eruptions at low speeds when they aren’t needed as much, the airbags in the Renault can deploy at different speeds depending the ferocity of the impact.

Also on the list is an innovative new feature not many cars have in the world have. A tyre pressure monitor. Under the speedometer binnacle is a small picture of your car and some figures next to the wheels of the car. They show how much pressure that tyre has and the car will alert you, if there is a sudden loss of pressure so you can think ahead before you are caught out and sent spinning down the M1 and causing a pile-up

Quickly becoming a bit of a norm on some cars, automatic windscreenwipers are also standard on the car. Sensors in the windscreen detect moisture on the screen and the wipers will go to wipe it off and if it is raining it will carry on going. There is a manual override too if you want it to stop.

Ever been down the street and heard the beeping of a dustbin lorry backing up? Well it might not be a lorry anymore, it could be the new Renault Laguna because yes the car will beep if the sensors on the back bumper detect a solid object nearby and it will alert you. Nice feature, but it has just been outdone by the new Nissan Primera, which has a camera at the rear, so you can see where you are going. I can’t believe it has taken that long to get it on the market, I thought of that ages ago.

As well as that, there are the usual airbags, although rear passengers also get lateral curtain bags, as well as ABS and side-impact bars.

SECURITY

When the new Laguna came out on sale, it’s biggest and most interesting buying feature was the innovative key card system, which does away with keys for good. The size of a credit card but slightly thicker and it is used very simply. Plip the button to open the car - no need for any keyholes - and slide into the part leather clad front seats and ignore your instant reaction to find the ignition because there isn't one. Instead, put the card in a small slot at the bottom of the dash - this will light up the dash - and just push the button and the engine will spring to life. The benefits ae clear. It's is small, easy to use and as there is no keyhole on the outside, it will fool all put the most hardy of criminals who have taken a shine to your car.

To prevent falling out of the car or being hijacked, the Laguna will lock itself when it reaches 6mph but this can be manually overidden from the inside. This is good but we found if it was locked and you get out of the car, as a passneger, you can't get back in, unless you have the card.

As well, as that, the usual host of kit includes alarm, deadlocks, remote central locking and an immobiliser.

PRACTICALITY

As an estate, the Renault Sports Tourers main objective is to be practical and although it is hardly impractical, the Laguna isn't the most flexible of cars to use. Anyone who has or knows of the previous Renault Laguna estate (that was when it was called estate), will know that it was huge at nearly 600 litres of space. At 490 litres, the Sports Tourer is more meagre but what it looses in outright space it makes up for in nice touches.

In the cabin, legroom is very good - and my Dad sits so far back, some people have asked if anyone was actually driving the car. But the main gripe is the headroom. The standard sunroof is very good for air and light, but a nightmare for headroom. The Sports Tourer already skimps on headroom thanks to the sloping roofline, which shaves a few inches off the C Pillar, the sunroof can reduce by a few more centimetres. I'm 5 foot 8 and I was only an inch or so off having my hair scrape the roof.

In the boot, space is amicable. Although cars like the Ford Mondeo estate, VW Passat estate and Skoda Octavia estate, beat the Laguna for space and the intruding wheel arches do edge into space. It'll carry the shopping and the dog, but a wardrobe? No.

But practical features are much better. Taking inspiration from the car that started the practicality craze, the Scenic, there are cubby holes everywhere. Rear seat pockets, cup holders, a small compartment in the rear armrest, a huge space in the front armrest, trays under the front seats, 12v power in the rear and boot and mirrors in the sunblinds at the front.

In the boot, the glass screen can be lifted up too to improve loading.

RELIABILITY

This has been the major stumbling box for buying a Renault at the moment. As far as history suggests, Renaults reliability record - although better than counterparts Citroen and Peugeot - isn't too great.

Having said that, things have been improving over the years and there is a healthy 3year/60,000 mile warranty.

The Laguna has been popular among other reps at my Dads company and some have indeed had some problems with the car, but all have been minor and they have all said the dealers were very good...

THE DEALERS

...and ours too is brilliant. If you have read my earlier ops, you would have seen me sound off about my local VW dealer. Well the differences are clear to see. My local dealer is Rawlinson Renault and the dealership is big, airy and is customer friendly with a TV, an area for children to play and information on several cars all around.

The staff are very friendly and they know their stuff. They aren't depressed or afraid to help and they always give information and they don't ignore me as a 15 year-old.

One thing I have remembered is that my friends parents had a Renault and they sent it in. It was a bit late, so to say sorry, there were a bunch of flowers in the boot! That's customer service for you.

A courtesy car is always available, as well as a shopping service, to pick people up from town. VW, you are totally whooped by Renault.

THE FACTS AND FIGURES

Here you can see for yourself the Laguna as it stands in figures. In brackets will be the equivlent from the VW PASSAY 1.9 TDI 130 SE

RENAULT LAGUNA 1.9dCI SPORTS TOURER PRIVILEGE

PRICE:£19,265 (£18,910)

ENGINE:1.9-LITRE TURBO DIESEL (1.9-LITRE TURBO DIESEL)
MPH:122 (128)
0-60:10.9 SECS (10.0 SECS)
BHP:120 (130)
GEARS:6 (5)

DEPRECIATION:36% (48%)
INSURANCE GROUP:10/£486 (12/£556)

MPG:50.4MPG (47.9MPG)
CO2:149g/KM (157g/KM)
TAX LIABILITY:18% (18%)
RENTAL PER MONTH:£383 (£371)

THE QUOTES

But why are you taking my word for it? Why not hear some quotes for yourself...

'Stylish new car rides and drives well. Plenty of Safety equipment and strong engines' What Car?

'The Laguna is a safe, stylish and comfortable cruiser' What Car?

'The Laguna takes the fight to the Mondeo and it has that all important 5 star safety rating' Auto Express

THE RIVALS

The Laguna has plenty of rivals. We have chosen our 3 by prefrence but not all opinions are the same, so why not try some of these...

THE NEW NISSAN PRIMERA:

Nissan have staged a remarkable comeback with their innovative new Primera which is the most distinctive car in it's class. It's also extremely loaded with kit and it has many unique features to the class - a very underrated car out now as a saloon and estate with a hatchback coming soon.

THE NEW VAUXHALL VECTRA:

The number 1 rep car in Britain, the Vectra has shook off their dull image with their neat new car. As consumer frindly as the Mondeo, as well equipped as the Laguna and as refined as the Passat, the new Vectra is a dramatic departure and could be the car to take on the Mondeo fully. Out in April as a hatch or saloon with 2 estates on the way next year.

THE FORD MONDEO:

You can't forget it and now the Ford Mondeo is a familiar sight on out roads. Available with several engines and trims, the Mondeo has just got a new diesel engine.

All the cars are good if dull but avoid the crude 1.8 diesel - it's noisy.

THE NEW MAZDA 6:

Among the frenzy of the new models, the Mazda 6 could be the surprise of the year. Despite it's popularity in Asia and parts of Europe (voted Germany's best export 3 times), the Mazda 626 was as exciting as dishwater, but the '6' looks much more exciting with new aggressive styling and impressive detail. It will also be based on the Ford Mondeo platform and tuned to be sportier so expect the new Mazda to be good. A stylish but innovative estate is to follow.

THE RESULTS (the Passat is in brackets for comparison)

EXTERIOR:* * * * * (* * * *)
INTERIOR:* * * * (* * * *)
RIDE:* * * * (* * * *)
HANDLING:* * * * (* * *)
REFINEMENT:* * * (* * * *)
PERFORMANCE:* * * * (* * * *)
ECONOMY:* * * * * (* * * *)
PRICE:* * * (* * *)
EQUIPMENT:* * * * * (* * *)
SAFETY:* * * * * (* * * *)
SECURITY:* * * * * (* * * *)
RELIABILITY:* * * (* * *)
DEALER:* * * * * (* *)

OVERALL

So there we have it. The total op on the Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 1.9dCI Privilege and it's info, rivals, figures, comparisons and results. The car is very good. It's stylish, well equipped and loaded with technology. There are problems with the refinement and it isn't ovally spacious but it does make a very convinving case for itself. I'll let you know what we get soon.

If there is anything else I can put in to make it better (I'm aiming to do well with this on the Premium Fund)

Thanks for reading (and if you've read all of it, well done personally from me). Please leave a comment as it really pleases me to know what you think of my work...

SOLEX/OLLIE