2008 Renault Laguna First Steer
17 Jun, 2008
23 Comments 
Like all things French the all-new Renault Laguna is a little idiosyncratic – but also like all things European these days it’s being launched on the Australian market with diesel power first – petrol will come later.
- David Twomey
The initial offerings on the Australian market will be the 2.0-litre diesel powered car with six-speed automatic gearbox in either Expression (base) or Privilege (top) spec.
These models, priced at $44,490 and 50,690 respectively, will be joined in September by the rest of the range, which will start at $41,990 with an Expression 2.0-litre diesel with six-speed manual gearbox.
There will also be an Expression 2.0-litre turbo petrol model with a six-speed auto at $42,490 and a Privilege petrol powered model at $48,690.
In addition in September the Laguna Estate, only available with the six-speed auto, will also arrive with Expression petrol costing $45,490, Expression diesel $47,490 and the Dynamique diesel costing $50,690.
The new Laguna, which still uses a refined version of the previous Laguna’s chassis, is a natural competitor amongst the Euros for the likes of Volkswagen’s strong selling Passat range.
The styling is all new – although a little bland – but on the up side there’s a totally new, and quite nicely crafted interior, and impressively, the car is 15kg lighter, on average, than the old model despite being bigger, stronger and better equipped.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine currently on offer produces 110kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm at 2000rpm. It’s a new generation of engine for Renault which was first seen here last year in 1.5-litre guise in the Kangoo van.
The hatch’s diesel engine offers very good fuel efficiency of 6.0L/100km for the six-speed manual and 7.0L/100km for the automatic.
Fitted with a variable-vane geometry turbocharger (VGT) and diesel particulate filter, emissions are 158g/km of CO2 for the manual and 185g/km of CO2 for the automatic and the engine is compliant with the Euro 5 standards, which don’t come into force for another two years.
In the driver’s seat, initial impressions were promising. The cabin is clearly laid out and the car rides well, dealing with uneven Australian road surfaces capably. It’s more luxurious and refined than before, and there is little in the way of engine noise, even under full throttle.
We were less than impressed by the steering, however. It not only lacked feel, but was also imprecise.
Driving on some excellent roads outside of Adelaide we soon found that when changing direction quickly, the Laguna proved clumsy – a surprise given the composed ride. Thankfully, the brakes are far better, bringing the car to a halt quickly and without fuss.
Starting, using Renault’s (in)famous card key and a starter button, certainly reveals oil-burning activity up front, but the 2.0 dCi is pretty subdued, even if the noises it makes are distinctly diesel.
It’s quiet overall, and impressively so at high speeds, where it feels reassuringly well-planted too. It should make a great long distance tourer.
Also good is interior space, up front, in the rear and the boot (it’s a bit shallow but long), the control layout, the infotainment system and its pleasingly clear control cluster.
The attractive, business-like cabin, the space and high-speed quiet are all strong suits, as is the engine’s solid urge and the promise of economical operation – we averaged 8.4L/100km over our short-ish but reasonably brisk drive route.
Potential buyers may also be attracted to the hatchback facility that’s not universal in this class, but seems to be making something of a revival.
Renault expects to sell a relatively modest 450 new Lagunas a year, made up of 300 hatchbacks and 150 Estates, although Renault Australia spokesman, Craig Smith, admits that the company is not sure of the final mix between Estate and hatch and also between petrol and diesel.
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June 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I would have thought you guys would have taken on board my suggestions for proof reading your articles before submission, but alas it appears not the case.
“very god fuel efficiency” …. Come on, such a simple mistake to make, but you guys seem to stuff it up all too often. At first came to this site to read other peoples views on different matters, now it’s just to have a laugh at some of the great attempted automotive journalism that gets posted up.
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June 17th, 2008 at 11:24 am
GhisGT - while we appreciate your extraordinary talent for proofreading - are you in fact interested in cars at all?
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June 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Certainly am. While I do admit, it’s more into the technical side of things such as compression ratios, compressor maps, quench, rocker ratios, cam lift, valve sizes, deck heights, port velocities, valve grinds, blower internal compression ratios, intake temperatures, ECU ignition/timing/fueling maps *takes breath* , rather that who has bought out a new model, it’s more of an obsession rather than an interest.
But hey, if YOU really gave a damn then tell me this; how hard is it re-read what you write to ensure no errors are printed?
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June 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
GhisGT - you sound like a passionate man, as are all of us here at Car Advice. Most of us work until 1 or 2am each night, so small errors do sneak in from time to time. Sorry about that, as we hate typos as much as you.
We also post more content than most other auto sites and generally ahead of the pack, so the pressure is always on.
Nonetheless, we shall endeavor to lift our game in that area.
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June 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the honest reply. I do apologise, the first post was a bit harsh when you put it in the context that you have done.
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June 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
So, back to the Laguna then!
I don’t think it’s bland at all…. in fact I’d rate its looks slightly ahead of the Mondeo.
I do however think that Renault Australia are being too ambitious with the pricing, especially considering the recent pricing history of the old model and the $15k price drops. I can sort of see a pattern emerging.:(
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June 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
C’mon fellows, you’re acting like a couple of school girls, we’re not here to critisize anyones’s typing and grammar skills, we’re here to read and discuss cars.
As for this new Renault, usual awful design, the headlights look as if someone sneezed when they drew it up on the board, and it seems that diesel engines are not even turbocharged. Fail again!
My $0.02
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June 17th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
This really is an unfortunate looking car. Just look at the side-on shot showing the abbreviated back end and prodigious front overhang. At least its predecessor had some character, this one has nothing.
These guys need to stop trying to sell such dross in this part of the world at the silly prices they charge. Mazda6 has it all over this thing, even without a diesel (and the Renault diesel is far from the best example of its type anyway).
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June 17th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I think it was ‘Test Drive’ that said this car looks stunning… that program is on the manufacturers payroll, have not said ONE bad thing against a car ‘Test Driven ‘(I always thought one part of a test drive was being critical)
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June 17th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
what an interior. better then any bmw or merc or even audi in my opinion. and personally i love the look and would take this over a mazda 6 or mondeo [until new C5 comes here]
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Nice interior ^ agreed! But the exterior in my opinion is hideous! Yuck!
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
ROFL take over Mazda 6… maybe if the world was constantly blind off their faces
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
3 reasons for buying over a 6
1.the interior in laguna is much better.
2. diesel
3.46k for the top spec mazda is a little ambitious considering the modeo is 41k
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Hope its built better than the previous version. The 2.0litre Initial we had for a year was the worst car I have driven in years. Bits broke all the time, engine ran lumps at idle. Not even Renaults main dealer could fix it. We were not isolated either. Renault realised they needed to up the game so this version is apprently better built and comes with a 100K mile warranty in the UK.
As for the look on this version, having seen a few I’m not personally keen but sadly I experenced the previous version so i’m a tad biased. Sorry folks not for me.
Also Captain I not so sure that Renault do the best diesels, my vote goes to Peugeot or BMW then VW/Audi.
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Renault have no freakin clue when it comes to pricing in this country. When they first relaunched here they were aiming to be the number one European car manufacturer in Australia, but they failed miserably.
I hate how Europe thinks that they can sell their cheap unreliable overpriced tin boxes here and market them as Premium products. In most other countries they are on a par in pricing with their Japanese counterparts, but here they think they can screw us over.
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June 17th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
This is one of a few bew French cars that doesn’t look like a frog. Amazing!
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June 17th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Hey chucky - its the same price here mate (UK) or thereabouts. VW’s seem to be cheaper in Australia, I guess they want to take Toytas market.
So you prefer the local built cars rather than Euros, don’t know where the unreliable buit comes in, I’ve always driven Euro boxes and have rarely been let down. I think the last tie was in 1989 in a Ford Escort, and that was only after the battery had been poorly fitted by a non-franchise dealer. So you wrong about reliability.
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June 17th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Why not release the 82kw 1.5 turbodiesel? A combined average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 km would be a good selling point (especially if they can price it at under $38, 000)
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June 17th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I really like the look of the Laguna from the front, but when I saw one in the flesh I was very disappointed. From a side view, the door handles don’t seem to follow the same line.
Yes you could have a Mazda 6 for much less, but to be honest, Mazda are beginning to become a victim of their own success. Because there are so many around, the new 6 already looks old to me.
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June 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
B///M3,
Re: it seems that diesel engines are not even turbocharged. Fail again!
Renault are leaders in diesel engines - their diesels have to be the quietest out there (from listening to them in traffic and car parks). All their dCi engines are turbocharged: http://www.renault.com.au/dci/
I think the new Laguna looks good too, but have similar concerns about pricing.
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June 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I think it’s beautiful!! I love the new Laguna and been waiting for it to finally come to aus. the pricing may be steep but this car has way more elegance and class of a 6 or mondeo for example. the interior is particualrly beautiful too!! its a great car, although renault have never sold well in aus and i think its coz renault australia always wait for a couple of years before they launch the cars here!! (clio for example)
good car but
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June 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
New model looks ok.I had previou V6 model. One of the better cars I have owned. 8.8L per 100k overall. Totally reliable over 39k’s apart from needing 2x coils replaced.
Resale kills them in AUS.
Only sold it because of midlife crisis, and bought Clio Sport.Great car but with 2 doors it would not fit the bill.Most fun you can have in a car with the wheels turning!.
Get annoyed by car tester’s always referring to “quirky French cars”, usually in relation to the auto boxes.
I now have a new Civic auto, and in my opinion its box is more quirky!.
Only thing is that I will be able to sell the car tomorrow if I want to, because other people think they are great. Which is the only reason I bought it. Sad isn’t it?. It is a good package overall but in things that matter to a driver,such as engine response, smoothness, handling etc. the French can still show the Japs how to do it!.
Funny that when you go to the UK, the ratio of French cars to Jap cars is reversed to that in Australia.
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June 26th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Well the Laguna is here - Been for a test drive - Drives really nice and a few mod cons inside i.e push button handbrake - new dash layout. I have to say I was a little disappointed when I saw it, not as good looking as the Laguna 2. Looks a bit like the old Renault 19 plain and boring. On the price issue I think they should bring the prices down by about $5000 then would consider going out and buy one. At this time in moment may settle for the Mondeo XR5.
To make the Laguna successful in Australia they will have to price the cars as same as the Mondeo and Mazda 6.
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