Renault Laguna Sport Tourer (08-12) - Review

The cabin is roomy and comfortable plus the front seats are supportive, with driver’s lumbar support standard across the range. Better equipped models come with fully-adjustable electric heated front seats too. The Laguna’s rear seats are wide enough for three adults on shorter trips or three kids on a daily basis plus all models are equipped with either air conditioning or climate control.

The boot is the Laguna’s biggest asset, but it isn’t as roomy as many alternatives. If you want outright load carrying ability then look at something like estate versions of the Vauxhall Vectra estate or Ford Mondeo. But if you want extra versatility then the Laguna should suffice. The boot can easily swallow a few family-sized suitcases or a dozen shopping bags and although it's not especially wide, there's a low sill so loading and unloading is easy. Folding down the seats is a doddle - a button in the boot quickly folds them flat to create a lengthy area. Lashing points and hooks help keep loads secure until you get home. However, the disappointingly small glovebox cannot store much more than a bottle of water and a few CDs. All models get roof rails, for additional storage on longer distance trips, and a keycard for keyless start-up. Higher-spec Initiale keycards (and models fitted with the ‘S’ option pack) also allow hands free cabin entry.

All-round visibility isn’t bad, but the Laguna’s front and rear ends can be difficult to judge. The driver’s seat and steering wheel both offer plenty of adjustment, so a good driving position can be found quickly. The light-coloured wooden strip which spans the dashboard on Initiale models gives the cabin an upmarket look. Older drivers may find it elegant, but younger drivers could consider it to be old-fashioned. The interior trim on lower spec Lagunas looks more modern. The integrated audio (and optional sat-nav) system is controlled via a small dial on the centre-console. It can be a little fiddly to adapt to – particularly when inputting your destination address – though this becomes less of a problem with frequent use.