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The latest Renault Laguna combines innovative design with good build quality

WHEN you let a motoring writer test drive a car, it's seen as best practice to give them the fastest, best-equipped version.

That's because car hacks are generally shallow, superficial types, easily impressed by pointless gimmicks.

So it was brave of Basingstoke Renault dealer Martins to insist that the first version of its Laguna I drove was the entry-level 1.5-litre diesel.

Not long ago, the thought of a 1,500cc oil-burner powering such a mid-sized family saloon would have seemed ridiculous.

But, with 110bhp and 240Nm driving through a snappy six-speed manual gearbox, the 1.5dCi Laguna is more than capable of real-world performance.

It reaches 0-100kph (62mph) in just over 12 seconds and has a top speed of almost 120mph.

At the same time, it sips fuel at more than 55mpg (combined cycle) and has some of the lowest emissions in its class at 136g/km, which will place it near the top of most fleet buyers' lists.

As standard, all Lagunas get air-con, a fine CD stereo, leather steering wheel, electric windows all around, heated electric mirrors and alloy wheels, as well as traction control and stability programme.

My version had an optional pack which added dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and cruise control with speed limiter.

Renault, long known for innovative design, was rarely able to back this up with decent build quality.

Under new management, this has changed and the latest models have near German levels of solidity.

Proper engineering solutions (rather than bits of tape) have been introduced on things such as unused parts of the wiring loom, which have blank plugs to stop them rattling. Secondary door seals reduce wind noise.

The result is low noise, vibration and harshness, giving a smooth, quiet and controlled ride.

Spec check

Renault Laguna Expression 1.5dCi 110 Price: £16,350 0-60mph: 12.1 secs Max speed: 119 mph Engine size:1.5-litre diesel Max power: 110bhp Insurance group: 8 Features: Air-con, CD stereo, leather steering wheel, electric windows, heated electric mirrors, alloy wheels, traction control, stability programme

There's plenty of space inside, with ample room for three back-seat passengers plus plenty of luggage space.

The cabin design is cutting-edge but restrained, with little of the radical design touches seen on Renaults lower down the range.

Instead, you get a clear and logical instrument and switch layouts set among pleasant curves and good-quality materials.

The keycard start system (keyless entry is available further up the range, as is an electronic parking brake) means a "Start" button on the dash.

Safety-wise, the Laguna is up there where you'd expect with a Renault. As well as loading up all the usual active safety devices (EBD, ESP, ASR etc) across the range, the car has dual pretensioners in the front seatbelts and pretensioners in the outer rears, along with anti-whiplash head restraints and a battery of third-generation, multi-stage airbags.

In fact, so confident is Renault in the Laguna's safety systems that it has not even bothered submitting the car for EuroNCAP testing.

Instead, the company is waiting for the new six-star test standard to be finalised, which it has built the Laguna specifically to pass.

Having been impressed by other new Renaults this year, I'm not surprised at the Laguna's leap in quality.

Company car users who find themselves driving one of these in the near future won't be disappointed.

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