Roy Lewis road tests the Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 1.5D Dynamique Tom Tom fivedoor manual (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 1.5D Dynamique Tom Tom fivedoor manual

7:00am Friday 23rd December 2011 in Road Tests

AT-A-GLANCE Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 1.5D Dynamique Tom Tom fivedoor manual.

Price: £21,500 (on the road).

Top speed: 117mph.

0-60mph: 12.1 seconds.

Fuel: 67.3mpg (combined figure).

CO2 emissions (g/km): 110.

Verdict: Much-improved model, excellent diesel motor for performance with economy, high-quality build, classy looks inside and out, family practicality, sporty feel, well-equipped.

WITH competition intense in the family car market, manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to keep sales buoyant.

Renault is obviously majoring on quality and luxury and this is evidenced in the face-lifted Laguna range.

The French company’s Sports Tourer, for instance, has undergone a major makeover to give it a sleeker, more stylish body, more efficient engines, a sportier feel and higher levels of equipment.

With prices going from £19,315 to £25,110, the estate looks decidedly better value than before.

Renault offers an excellent range of turbo diesel motors and probably the most impressive for performance with economy is the 1.5- litre.

This oil burner is refined and pushes out a healthy 110bhp for a top speed of 117mph. But more importantly for budget-conscious motorists it offers a combined fuel figure of 67.3mpg with low C02 emissions of 110.

The diesel manages to deliver its power smoothly and at the same time produces little in the way of engine noise. And as well as having plenty of urge up through the gears for acceleration and overtaking, its six-speed manual gearbox, a better transmission than before, enables the car to be a quiet and well-insulated longlegged motorway cruiser. Overall, the diesel is an excellent choice during these belt-tightening times.

Underway, the Renault’s chassis feels well-sorted and there is good grip and agility with predictable handling. The suspension is not as taut as earlier cars but it never feels soggy and when a load is carried it firms up.

The steering feel seems so much better on the new Laguna. It is nicely positive and communicative so that the driver knows exactly what the front wheels are up to.

The sleek lines also make the Tourer a better looker and it will turn heads in the high street while inside the car simply oozes quality and attractive styling features.

The cabin itself is a pleasing place to be with logically laid out controls that are easy to use and understand. There is plenty of room in the front and rear with excellent all-round vision for the driver.

Renault has certainly gone upmarket with the use of materials and they help give an executive feel to the vehicle.

The seats are really comfortable and supportive and one reaps the benefits of this on long trips. In the rear there is generous room for adults and by using the simple folding mechanism the rear seats can be laid flat to enhance the practicality of the vehicle.

The load space is cavernous, though not necessarily as big as some rivals, and there is the benefit of a low rear sill for easy access.

As one might expect from Renault, safety is paramount and the estate has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. This, together with the significant improvements, is helping to improve resale values and this is good for owners when the time comes to trade in the vehicle.

The different specifications are generously packed with kit which for many motorists will be above a level of expectation.

With the Dynamique Tom Tom trim, there are side and curtain airbags, a stability programme with traction control. Other kit includes alloy wheels, air-con, front and rear electric windows, MP3 connection, Bluetooth, parking sensors and a top-bracket audio system and a sat-nav.