Category: Large Family 
Price Range: No data available
Precise steering, refined engines, quiet, well packaged.
Not the prettiest car, jury out on reliability.
Renault has built a solid, well-packaged car - but it just lacks that certain je ne sais quoi to be able to beat the Mondeo.
One of the most noticeable changes to the Laguna is its steering. There's still no real feel - which is only to be expected in a mass market car - but there is a real advance in precision. Renault has reduced the steering ratio and stiffened the steering column, so that that every steering input, however slight, results in a concomitant change in the car's direction. This agility is as welcome as it is surprising, standing up to the twisting and turning narrow mountain roads on which we tested the car.
The ride has also been improved thanks to uprated anti-roll bars and stiffer springs in the suspension, making it firm but not so firm that it becomes intrusive or unpleasant for the car's occupants. Whether that will be equally true on the UK's roads will be interesting to see.
The Laguna has been launched with two versions of its 2.0-litre, 16-valve petrol engine, one generating 138bhp and 143lb-ft of torque, the other producing 167bhp and 199lb-ft. We drove the more powerful version, which is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission in Dynamique trim and above: the auto 'box didn't lag too much during changes and the engine was smooth, quiet and had more than enough ability to enable the car to cruise comfortably at high speed on the motorway.
There are also three diesel engines in the range: a 1.5-litre dCi producing 108bhp and 177lb-ft; a 2.0-litre dCi with 128bhp and 236lb-ft; and a more powerful 2.0-litre dCi that generates 147bhp and 250lb-ft.
The 1.5-litre unit - which should prove popular in the fleet market, thanks to its low CO2 emissions and frugal fuel consumption - is a little unrefined, the engine making a slight clattering sound: however, it doesn't feel as underpowered as one would expect, and was surprisingly capable.
The other engine we tested, the more powerful 2.0-litre unit that Renault expects to be the volume seller, is much more refined and very quiet, even at high speed on the motorway. It pulls along nicely and there's plenty of power on tap for overtaking when needed.
More engines will be added to the range in 2008, including a 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 3.0-litre dCi V6 diesel.
