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First Drives

Renault Laguna GT dCi 180 Sport Tourer CAR review

By Ben Whitworth

10 April 2008 16:43

When it arrived late last year we gave Renault’s Laguna a bit of a pasting for its dull looks and overall lack of appeal. There wasn't much wrong with its driving dynamics, and Renault’s claim for best-in-class refinement and quality didn't seem too wide of the mark, but it was sorely lacking in sparkle. The Sport Tourer estate went some way to addressing the yawnalot styling, but given the all-round excellence of the Mondeo, not to mention the sheer sexiness of the upcoming Insignia, the Laguna fell instantly into the also-ran category.

Although the sector in which the Laguna competes may be shrinking by around 7 percent per year, it's still worth a million sales across Europe. And that's worth pursuing. Renault expects this new GT halo model to help it maintain its 9 percent market share.

The GT flagship – available in both hatch and Sport Tourer estate format from May 2008 – not only premieres two new punchy 180bhp diesel and 205bhp petrol engines, but also Renault’s Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering. Which, for a car seen by many as motorway fodder, seems pretty damned exotic. Exotic prices too – the range kicks off with the £21,050 petrol hatch, followed by the £21,220 diesel hatch, the £22,000 petrol estate and is topped by the £22,170 diesel estate. Ouch.

Click 'Next' below to read the rest of our Renault Laguna GT drive

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Statistics

How much? £22,170
On sale in the UK: May 2008
Engine: 1995cc turbo 4-cyl, 180bhp @ 3750rpm, 295lb ft at 2000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 8.7sec 0-62mph, 136mph, 42.2mpg, 177 g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1563kg/steel and aluminium
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4695/1811/1445
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 3 out of 5

Handling

Rated 4 out of 5

Performance

Rated 3 out of 5

Usability

Rated 3 out of 5

Feelgood factor

Rated 3 out of 5

Readers' rating

Rated 4 out of 5

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Average rating: Rated 4 out of 5 (14 votes)

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Renault Laguna GT dCi 180 Sport Tourer CAR review

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noelelkin

noelelkin says

Renault Laguna GT

Considering Renault couldn't get the rear suspension bushes on the Laguna Mk2 to last much beyond 25000 miles I have serious doubts as to whether their 4 wheel steering system will work for very long. And when it does go wrong, like most of their "advanced" technology, how much will it cost to repair. The rear suspension bushes (bits of rubber?) cost £250+ to replace, so add more complicated items and I'm sure you could be looking at £1000+, about the same as the failing clutches, gearboxes, turbos etc.

15 April 2008 09:52

ga41

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ga41 says

Test it (2)

I think Gregg218's idea is really good. The definitive estate test. Car please do it!

11 April 2008 18:14

Gregg218

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Gregg218 says

Test it

The estate is actually decent looking to my eyes probably because of the long roof sloping down like it wants to be an Infiniti estate. However, Car needs to put this side by side against the Mondeo and, if Renault is trying to claim it matches them, the BMW and Mercedes as well. Perhaps a Volvo to round out the giant test or, if you'd rather, the Great Estate Debate.

11 April 2008 15:10

AReader

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AReader says

What's going on? (responding to earlier comments)

In the last year, CAR has boasted of receiving special opportunities to review Renault products and concepts. Not sure if this is real or imagined. But one could be forgiven for thinking that CAR is getting just a little too cosy with the Renault PR boys. However, I think this is all just the usual PR/media game, and trust that CAR remains objective. All that aside, I actually like the look of the Laguna now! Especially this estate version. Perhaps it will tempt buyers who are tired of the BMW/Audi/Merc "domination machine"? If the estate does turn out to be boring, then at least there is room to sleep in the back!

11 April 2008 14:35

markh

markh says

Rear Suspension

Hummmmm, How about Renault save the money on trick software and give the entire range independant rear suspension that has been the non in D segment for, ummm , let me see ......10 years. Nice interior though..... Oh and when the reviewer said ' a haggler for BMW (etc) would go for the prestige brands...' Well a Renault hagger would probably get the tourer for 19k and change... So I guess we are really back to the same cunumdrum.....mass market (are they still :-)) cars cost less, but prestige are better and have higher residuals. But, one things for sure. Both have moved the game on considerably, so I guess which ever you buy we are all winning.

11 April 2008 14:21

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