Renault Laguna Estate 2009 Review

Not so much
>>Plain dashboard
>>Sloppy manual
>>Questionable 'badge cred'

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- calling in the cavalry
Almost a year after launching the new Laguna Hatch in Australia as a diesel (more here) the company has completed the line-up with the introduction of a petrol engine and Estate body style. In hindsight launching with diesel-only proved a mistake for Renault Australia as the cost of diesel became less competitive against petrol... And then the Global Financial Crisis hit.

Which was a shame, because those external problems aside, the new Laguna impressed with its abilities and equipment. Now, the company is hopeful that the new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, as well as the addition of the Estate, can get the sales headed in the right direction.

Since launch just 58 examples of the Hatch have been sold but Renault is targeting 200 sales by the end of 2009 courtesy of the new arrivals. To highlight the change in expectations, the company says it is forecasting a 75/25 split in favour of petrol power.

Starting with the diesel manual Hatch in Expression trim the Laguna range starts at $37,990 (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges), while the petrol Hatch begins at $38,990. Diesel prices start at $40,990 in Expression trim and from $48,490 for the Privilege package. Estate prices begin at $41,990 for the petrol/Expression, $43,990 for diesel/Expression and $46,990 for diesel/Dynamic.

Specifications for the three trim levels -- Expression, Dynamique and Privilege -- mirror what is found on the previously available hatch. See our initial launch review for details.

Another incentive on top of the reduced price is an extended warranty. The former three-year/150,000km coverage has been increased to three-year/unlimited kilometers.

"In addition to extremely high standards of safety and excellent equipment levels the Laguna range now offers even more value for money," says Rudi Koenig, Renault Managing Director.

"In a market where many vehicles are becoming more expensive, the Laguna range offers the very best in European technology at a very affordable price. The increase in warranty to include unlimited kilometers, over a three-year period, shows just how robust the car is."

The new petrol unit is a relatively understressed unit in terms of turbo 2.0-litre engines. The 'low blow' is tuned for torque and makes 125kW at 5000revs and 270Nm of torque at 3250revs. It is only available a the six-speed automatic transmission.

Essentially, the rest of the Laguna's mechanicals are unchanged.

The extra length enables the Estate to swallow 501 litres of cargo in the rear load area with the rear seats in place. That size increases to 1593 litres with rear seats folded flat.

Given the current trend towards 'sportswagons' over traditional estates, the Renault designers have done a good job keeping the proportions balanced. The steeply raked rear window and highly stylised taillights give the car a sharp, well defined look.

The Estate doesn't offer anything above and beyond the Hatch in terms of both active and passive safety features. However, that translates to an impressive suite of safety goodies nonetheless.

There's a full complement of acronyms (ESP, ABS and EBA) plus eight airbags onboard and the Laguna boasts a 'serious' five-star NCAP rating. But as we said in our original review the Laguna is in company with its chief rivals in this department. It's good but without offering anything exceptional to separate it from the pack.

Renault made no secret that the volume-selling Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro, Subaru Liberty, Peugeot 407 and Volkswagen Passat are in the re-priced Laguna's reach. You can also add to those the Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Sonata, the soon-to-be-released Ford Mondeo wagon and even the Frenchie's 'cousin', Nissan's Maxima.

Given its current marketshare of 0.3 per cent, Renault has been realistic with its expectations. Nevertheless that has stopped the company from having big plans for the future and the Laguna will play a crucial ride in any serious expansion.

On price and specification the Laguna has the ability to steal sales from any of the abovementioned models.

This is part of the problem Renault faces in Australia where it is considered a minor niche player despite its considerable size and standing in Europe. Off the back of strong sales (in relative terms) of the Koleos compact SUV, the local arm of the French operation is hopeful that it can carve itself a larger piece of the pie in Australia.

Getting traditional Japanese midsize buyers to defect to the Laguna will play a critical role in those plans. At present it's hard to escape the fact that Renault has very little 'badge cred' in this country due to its patchy past. It hasn't been helped by its departure and subsequent return to the local market earlier this decade.

By opting for the Privilege package you receive nice leather/Alcantara seats that are both supportive and comfortable and go a long way to improving the character of the interior. But the dashboard remains humble and not something you expect to find in a $40,000-plus car.

Minor interior styling gripes aside there is a lot to like about the new Laguna Estate and petrol range. But before we get to those, there is one more complaint -- the manual gearbox. The self-shifter is a major disappointment and with a long throw, soggy action and long clutch pedal, it is worth avoiding. Given that the automatic is so good it raises questions over the value of even offering the manual locally.

Now for the good news. Renault conducted testing in Australia during the Laguna's development and it has paid off. The ride is smooth and compliant on the typical back roads that have tripped up many overseas offerings. Despite this refinement the Laguna still handles with confidence, sitting flat on the road when cornering. Only when really pressed hard does the Laguna start to move around on its suspension.

Coupled with good brakes and direct, responsive steering the Laguna manages to walk the difficult line between comfortable cruiser and enjoyable and engaging performer.

Despite Renault's expectations of a sales bias for petrol models, after sampling both back-to-back, honours must go to the diesel. The petrol engine is an adequate powerplant but nothing more. It lacks midrange punch when overtaking and feels more like a naturally-aspirated engine. It frankly lacks the performance you expect from a turbo engine of this capacity.

All things considered the Laguna Estate in turbodiesel guise makes a compelling case on price, equipment and performance. The real question remaining, however, is just how many buyers will be lured away from the established rivals.

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