2008 Renault Laguna Privilège dCi Hatch Review
16 Jul, 2008
29 Comments 
2008 Renault Laguna Privilège dCi Hatch Review & Road Test
Touchè or Too Staid?
Model Tested:
- 2008 Renault Laguna Privilège dCi Hatch 2.0 litre turbo diesel automatic - $50,690 (RRP)
Options:
- Dual Sunroof $2000
Safe; Stylish; Quiet; Strong & Economic Engine; Drives Beautifully
Rear Leg Room; Poor Stereo; No Bluetooth, Sat Nav or iPod Plug
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
French engineering is often scoffed at as an oxymoron, though for the life of me I can’t think why, I mean they gave us the Airbus A380, the Viaduc de Millau Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. I could go on for hours, but this is a car review after all, and what I’m really trying to impress here is that it doesn’t take a pastry chef to see that the French have a certain je ne sais quoi for flare, innovation and the dare to be different.
Laguna has for a long time lead the charge for the French as being a symbol for innovative and intelligent automotive design, a datum other cars aspire to, which was a point well validated when BMW purchased Sandouville’s Laguna build number one. Sadly perhaps we Aussies just don’t get it, and more often than not pass up the opportunity to own one - maybe this time round all that will change.
Voted 2008 Company Car of the Year (in France) and The World’s Most Beautiful Car (Estate variant) at the Automotive Festival of Paris, the new Laguna is a stylish and sophisticated modern car with ideals set to challenge convention in much the same way French cars always have. Although at times Renault styling has been quirky, the reasoning behind it is usually sound, and now with the Phase III Laguna conquering showrooms back home, there’s a suggestion sound French reasoning may have finally surrendered to German good looks.
Estate due in Australia from December
From almost any angle, the car is stunning, quite Bavarian in sculpt, and although I’m not personally a fan of the tail light positioning (hatch), just about every other angle of the car strikes a chord for aesthetic pleasure. It’s not quite majestic, but it is certainly striking, sleek and rather elegant, with well proportioned, slippery lines and a free flowing energetic feel.
It also feels very well built. The doors shut beautifully and just the lightest touch will see the weighting take care of the rest, something I’ve not experienced since playing with old Jaguars. Panel fit is uniformly tight all over and the assertively styled Mille Miles 18 inch alloy wheels still manage to hold a certain decorum in those large, slightly flared arches whilst at the same time maintaining grace and purpose. The bright work around the windows contrasts wonderfully with the Charcoal metallic paint (no cost option) and with large headlamps adding a slightly overwhelming look, the front seems bold and insistent, like a larger GT car.
Location: Home / Renault, Behind the Wheel, Safety, Diesel / ...
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(7 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)
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July 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Are they cruise control buttons on the centre console ?
If they are, WTF ???
Nice car, shame about the resale…
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July 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
front headlights look cronically ugly and awkward!!!!!
the rear tail lights on the back of the hatch look ugly and totally out of place.. I do admit the styling of the wagon from the a pillers backwards looks very classy! but the front ruins an otherwise great looking car…
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July 16th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Iamthestig, the button on the centre console is to turn the master system on for cruise, or switch to the speed limited. Therefore is would always be in one position or the other.
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July 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Can I give Matt Brogan a French lesson?
It’s “Je ne sais quoi”, but the phonetics were right.
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July 16th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Yep, the front looks goofy, but it’s beautiful inside.
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July 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thanks Golfschwein.
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July 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
“The World’s Most Beautiful Car (Estate variant)”…..You have got to be kidding! This is one of the ugliest cars on the road, let alone “the most beautiful”!
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July 16th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I wouldnt call it ugly but I would agree that it didnt deserve most beautiful car. I think this cars biggest problem is the citroen c5. Its better looking, quieter, more comfortable and about the same price. It doesnt have the interior but the citroens isnt exactly a horrible place to spend time.
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July 16th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I like the first Laguna. It was subtle.
This one looks like a smashed crab.
Pity, because the review toots it so well that I could ALMOST consider one.
Matt (Brogan), One of the things I have always found to be quite annoying with French cars (they must do it on purpose to p*ss of the POMS) is the seating position and its relation to the pedals and controls. They just dont seem to be made for Humans. How was it with this car?
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July 16th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Agree all good except the front grille/lights.
Schmick interior.
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July 16th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
The wagon is nice from the rear, but the rest is all ugly. Looks like the Renaults and Peugeots both have caught the “ugly” bug. At least the Citroens seem pretty. Until perhaps the new model comes…
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July 16th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
The wagon is a classy looking thing and leaves the hatch for dead……..but that front end is a deal breaker in my opinion!
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July 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
G’day Fenno,
I know exactly what you mean. I remember a certain Clio having exactly the issue you expressed. The seat and pedal position just didn’t marry up. Fortunately for Laguna it wasn’t so. It was actually really comfy. Maybe they’ve cottoned on.
Cheers for your comment. Matt.
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July 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I’d rather have the Skoda.
$15,000 cheaper. Style of the Skoda is a bit quirky, but so is this.
For the same money there is Passat.
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July 16th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
LOL….Fabio; would of thought you would of said “Its the worlds most beautiful car”.
But back on cue…agree with rear looking very nice; yet rest looks tad weird!
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July 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Bizzare lines (crease where sides change direction to go up to glass) side on and rear does not flow into sides….quite average!
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July 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
These look a lot better in the flesh - different but quite impressive, especially in a dark colour.
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July 16th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
people have such a hatred toeards french brands.If this had a holden badge and was called a commodore youed all be going wow holden has finally gotten some style, instead you pick out every little thing.
Can any oz car claim a 5 star safety rating or better yet a 5 star safety rating across the entire renualt range
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July 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Make my Mondeo TDCi Hatch a bargain especially with Leather seats and Bluetooth and Voice Activation still a nice looking car had a look at it but the options scared me off
laurie
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July 17th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Yeah, the Passat looks a million bucks inside and out.
Is the standout in this class IMO.
Squashed crab.LOL.
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July 17th, 2008 at 12:03 am
The front on Skodas reminds me of the Avalon. Look good apart from that.
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July 17th, 2008 at 9:01 am
As I said front is horrible and the rear of the hatch is awkward with those high mounted tail lights and big butt.. but the rear of the wagon is very classy and nicely styled. interior is ok too.. but the resale factor and wierdness factor of renault badge would keep me away..Give me liberty wagon anyday..
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July 17th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Love the French style but this does nothing for me having seen a few around. It to much similarity to the previous unreliable awfull to drive effort.
Mmmm two Franch awards given by the French. Gosh that’s amazing.
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July 17th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I love it’s looks. The point to daring French design is that it isn’t conservative, and not everyone will ‘get’ it. And so be it. This is a daring looking car, and I love it for that. German design was staid until Chris Bangle fixed BMW. Audi have their avantdarde deisng language, but Mercedes is stail and have lost their way. At least the French are daring, and the Europeans love them for it. But I agree, the biggest problem for the new Laguna will be the new Citroen C5, which even I’m heavily interested in for the replacement for my S40 in a couple of years.
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July 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Realcars - The Passat is the class standout? What rubbish. You need to get informed. The Passat is conservative with a capital C, and the interior is rubbish, well below quality standards of it’sbetter peers. I guess it’s easy for those who don’t really know about cars to go with a common name..
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July 17th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Luke Says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Realcars - The Passat is the class standout? What rubbish. You need to get informed. The Passat is conservative with a capital C, and the interior is rubbish, well below quality standards of it’sbetter peers. I guess it’s easy for those who don’t really know about cars to go with a common name..
So true… VW Passat is overrated.. If you have been in one then you will never that it is class standout!
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July 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Don’t like any of the exterior, it’s all ugly! Last generation model was better looking!
Though the interior is beautiful!
It’s more uglier than it’s parents Peugeot’s!
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August 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I have to agree with Luke, the Laguna is a standout in style. Its absolutely beautiful! Especially in the metal! I think its just that a lot of people don’t understand French style, bold and daring as it is. Take the Renault Mégane for example. I think its rear end of the hatch is cool…
Good on the Laguna! Who has seen the coupe version? How good is it?! Does anyone know if its coming to Australia anytime soon?
Thanks,
Steve
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August 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Matt, thanks for your stellar review; prompted me to arrange a test drive of the 2.0 dCi (diesel) hatch. What a magic car to drive, especially on hilly and windy roads. Maybe I don’t drive as hard as you do, but I didn’t notice any understeer. This was one of the best cars I have ever driven; just an effortless and pleasant experience. I had never driven a diesel before and was completely amazed by how powerful this engine was. Overtaking was a breeze, over in a flash. Ride was extremely comfortable, seating positions are easily adjustable to suit the driver; so much so you could sleep in this car. I’m a bit older than the i-pod / blue tooth generation so whatever they are they’re lost on me. As soon as I can get the colour I want; I’ll be buying one of these.
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