Overview

The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer was dropped from the manufacturer’s model line-up in 2012, but despite this – as a used buy – it is well equipped for family life. The cabin is well laid out, is supplemented by tough interior materials and a useful boot with clever features. It’s not as bulky as some estates, but it’s also not as large – both the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer and Ford Mondeo estate offer more standard boot space. While some may consider its body style subtle, for others it’s dull. Either way, Renault’s aim was for the Laguna estate to be placed in the top three in its class for build quality. Only years of ownership will demonstrate its true long-term durability, but the progress made by the manufacturer is evident.

Engine line-up

As the Laguna Sport Tourer came towards the end of its time, the line-up was dominated by diesel engines. This makes sense in a family estate of course, and the petrol engines were eliminated from the car quite early one. The French manufacturer has a strong reputation in building making good diesel engines, however, so this wasn’t a bad thing. For low costs opt for the 1.5-litre dCi. According to Renault it is capable of 67mpg while emissions of 110g/km means it won’t break the bank in road tax. With 108bhp it is acceptable in performance terms, though if you’re likely to be carrying heavy loads around then it may be wiser to go for the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel option. This version does see costs rise quite considerably, however.

Practicality is key

The main purpose for an estate is how much you can fit in the back. Practicality is king here and the Laguna estate offers plenty of space. With 501 litres of room on offer in the rear, buyers shouldn’t struggle for space. It’s a little behind rivals like the Ford Mondeo Estate at 535 litres and also the Vauxhall Insignia that can carry up to 540 litres. So, while it may not be able to it out muscle its closest rivals for practicality, or performance, does it make sense as a useful used buy? Read the full Renault Laguna review to find out.