Car Statistics: Renault - Laguna (01-07) Series 01 (3 stars)

Styling (2 stars)

No great looker in its day, and a mid-term facelift did little for the Laguna's ageing design.

Handling (2 stars)

Not up to modern segment standards with lots of body roll in corners, poor grip and terrible body control over rougher road surfaces.

Comfort (4 stars)

A great place for the high mileage motorway driver: the driving position is excellent and high-speed refinement (on smooth roads) is brilliant too.

Quality (3 stars)

Solidly constructed and with a decent-feeling cabin, although the interior design feels a bit old fashioned.

Performance (4 stars)

All motors produce reasonable urge, with the 175 bhp and 150 bhp diesel versions delivering the real performance.

Roominess (4 stars)

Occupants enjoy plenty of room front and rear. Hatchback has a good sized boot, although the estate isn't one of the segment's most spacious.

Costs (3 stars)

Excellent fuel economy from the diesel engines combine with reasonably priced servicing and good insurance ratings to give the Laguna good on-paper financial performance - all of which is mostly undone by steep depreciation.

Value (4 stars)

Equipment levels are generous across the board, all have aircon, alloys and excellent safety kit. Range-toppers are loaded, too.

Stereo (4 stars)

The audio system gives good performance and the optional satnav is easy to follow, if a bit slow to react sometimes.