Renault Laguna Hatch road tests and consumer car reviews

Renault Laguna Hatch 2009

This model is superior to the last one I had (Mk 2), but having said that I had to get one suspension front mounting kit replaced under warranty. The Start/Stop Button has pushed in as whatever plastic clips that hold it have broken. The dealer techicians say this is not warranted and  was forced as they have researched and have never heard of anything like this. I am bitterly dissapointed and will be switching to a different make.

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.5dci Dynamique 2008

Purchased new in January 2008. Three and a half years later, I’ve put up 76k miles without any problems. Renault have definitely sorted out their reliability issues with this one. Great car to drive and travel in.

Renault Laguna Hatch 2002

I bought a 1.6 16v Laguna and to start with I liked it.....that lasted about a month, then quite regulary it would not start first time, while driving a couple of times it cut out (good job I wasn’t on the motorway). Before I could get the problem fixed it is not starting at all. Replaced key card at a cost of £185 and replaced start button, both items came up on the diagnostics as faults, car still not starting. Been told now that it could be one of the computers (ECU Bcmodule etc), second hand ones start at around £300 and then they have to be decoded at a cost of £150 then there’s the labour and this isn’t by the main dealer so I can’t imagine how much they charge. Other small electric faults as well like the plastic melting onto the connecters in the rear light clusters, this stopped the indicator lights working and the break lights. Needless to say F am looking for a new car and it wont be French!!

Responses to this review

I had a similar problem and it was a faulty flywheel sensor. It cost me around 50euro to be bought and fitted by a mechanic - Phil from Ireland

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.8 RN 1996

I bought my 1.8 RN (8 valve head) for £600 in 2006 with about 80k on the clock because it was the only decent sized family car that I could afford locally at the time when my Rover 214si suddenly died massively. It has always been pretty reliable, only failing to start once due to what turned out to be a loose block connector to the fuel pump under the carpet in the boot, recrimping sorted that out. All I have ever had to replace apart from tyres, exhaust and brakes is one coil pack (there are 2 on my model). The car has been used daily in all of the years that I have owned it and it has now covered over 127k miles although the blower motor has packed up due to what I beleive is a loose wire on the back of the switch, I’ll fix it before next winter. Would I buy another Laguna? HELL YES!!! but only if it was an older basic model because most of the bad reveiws concerning Renaults all seem to come from owners of later cars with "computer controlled this and that" that always seems to pack up. Six years motoring for 600 quid, you’d be silly not to.

Renault Laguna Hatch 2000 RT 1995

I originally wanted a small estate but bought the Laguna as the dealer had one available at a bargin price because it had done 140,000 miles. I only expected it it to last a year or two but six years later it is still running very well after clocking up with 280,000 miles! Definitely the best car I’ve ever had including Renaults 16, 18 & a Savanah, extremely reliable, spacious and comfortable with many extras. Still goes like a rocket. I’ve just very reluctantly decided to retire the Laguna as it needs new headlights and a catylst to get through MOT. Although rusty around a couple of the wheel arches, amazingly it didn’t need any chasis welding as I had expected. The only faults it has is that the heater stops working and recently it had sometimes become difficult to select first gear. The Laguna’s white paintwork is particularly good as it has retained its finish in spite of the very high milage. The car was still gleaming as I left it sitting in the scrap yard yesterday.

Renault Laguna Hatch 1997

As a Renault owner I have had many over the years including the Dolphin, Renault 5 Alpine also Renault 18 gtd and the Renault 18 petrol also on my collection 4 Renault 25 plus 1 Bacarra and now my Laguna. This is my second Laguna to me there isn’t another family car to compare. Over 40 plus years I’ve had many other cars, Fords Vauxhalls, Jags Hillmans, Humbers and to me the Renault Laguna is probably the best in its class; that’s my opinion.

Renault Laguna Hatch 2005

Must have been a Friday afternoon special, did not go properly since the day I bought this thing and just wished someone would steal and torch it.

Renault Laguna Hatch Dynamique DCI 150 2007

I bought the new shape Laguna at a year old with 14K on the clock and quickly regretted it. It had constant small problems. Within the first 3 months, a seat back fell off, I was locked in, the windows mis-operated, the cruise control played up, the speedometer became erratic, the bonnet retainer fell off & the alarm failed. Throughout my time with the car it had a serious flat spot that the dealer was unable to fix. Also the suspension is seriously hard. You feel every imperfection in the road and it gets tiring after a while - you do not look forward to driving it. The only plus sides to the car were the interior - which is genuinely nice - and the engine (aside from the flat spot) which is very strong but still economical. To put things in perspective, after a year with the Laguna I traded it in for a Vectra 1.9 CDTI SRI and now actually enjoy driving again. The Vectra feels like a luxury car after driving the Laguna - and the electrics work.

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.9 dCi 120 Dynamique 2003

Such an appaling piece of S***E, So many things have went wrong with this car. The electrics have been very dodgy and the engine has been troublesome. After all the complaints I’ve heard about Lagunas I think Renault shouldn’t be allowed to sell them, and if they are gonna make such bad cars to offer at least 5years warranty. If Hyundai can do it why can’t Renault?

Responses to this review

Heh! Tell it like it is! Mal Greig from Scotland

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.9 dCi 120 Expression 2004

An appaling piece of c**p to be honest! So many problems, but first the good points; comfortable, and thats it. My car’s electrics have a mind of their own and the dashboard rattles really loudly when taking off on a hill. Also the 6 speed is a pain in the ass because when you are in 6th gear and want to drop a gear to over take there is no power on reserve.

Renault Laguna Hatch 2007 2.0 dci dynamique S

I bought this car with just 10,000 on the clock. It’s always a pleasure to sit inside the cabin and is smooth as anything. Having driven hired brand new Mondeo’s and Vectra’s I couldn’t wait to get back to my Laguna. My missus had a brand new Vectra for the whole summer foir work and was desparate to get bck to the Laguna! Great thing is you don’t see many about so it’s a real head turner - those sheep in their BMW’s, Audis, Vectras and Mondeos don’t know what they’re missing and long may it stay that way. I love this car!

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.9 dci 130 bhp 2006

WARNING! When Renault increased the power of the 1.9 diesel engine from 120 to 130 bhp they put a particle filter in the exhaust system to clean up the emissions. This meant the service intervals increased from 18,000 to 9,000 miles. Special oil has to be used, which costs �50 for 5 litres. But worst of all, if the car isn’t used on regular long journeys or you don’t take the car for a long run at high speed when the Particle Filter warning light comes on, the car locks down to 3,000 rpm. This means that you have to take the car to a Renault dealer to have a �300 procedure carried out to clear the filter. If this doesn’t work a new filter costs �1,000! Yes that’s right, �1,000! Plus fitting! I know because I bought one at auction without knowing any of this. Luckily I managed to return the car when I found out it was put into the auction against the auction company’s terms. This is an absolute travesty. As these cars come out of warranty the situation will come into focus more and I hope the outcry will cause Renault to sort this out. Such a shame as the car is beautiful.

Responses to this review

This was on the older 1.9 dCi engines. Renault have used the new 2.0 dCi engines since the model change. There is a choice of normal or FAP engine also. Your problem with the engine is your use of the car, not the FAP. FAP fitted engines are cleaner to the environment for people who do a lot of motorway driving. They produce lower CO2 emissions and return a better fuel economy. I doubt Renault will change the situation. I simply suggest you find out more about the car you buy in the future - Martin McKeeman from Scotland

I write in defence of the Renault Laguna Hatch. I own a 2L Dci Dyman. I bought it new in 2006 and covered over 48,000 miles at 46mpg with no problems. Like all cars, if look after THEM they will look after YOU i.e. service when due. And do not blame the car when "YOU" did not do any research before parting with your ill-gotten gains! - Steve Watson from Cumberland

I had one of these 130bhp 1.9 diesel lagunas with the same problem. If the light come on drive the car at a reasonable speed (over 60) in 5th until the light extinguishes. I found I had to drive it over 60 miles before that happened but that is a lot cheaper than a garage who force it out, not to be recommended. Try it, I can assure you it does work - Derek Moffitt from County Down

Renault Laguna Hatch 2000

Brilliant, reliable car and its quite good on fuel with plenty of space. It’s a good car people say, ha its French, but look at Peugeot but it’s quite a good car too. I would give Renault 5 stars for looks and space and safety. It’s the first Renault I have driven because I always liked Vauxhall but it is a good drive - just make sure you give it an annual service every year and it will last you for life .

Responses to this review

Personally I think PSA Peugeot Citroen are great cars, not so much Renault because they are awful. Im looking to replace my excellent 407 and I thought about the Laguna but after being warned by numerous amounts of people I’m not going near them. I think I might go for the new Citroen C5, it’s a lovely car to drive and own, I have heard non stop praise on how good they are. Out off the 3 french brands I wouldnt go near a Renault - Kieran from County Tyrone

Renault Laguna Hatch Dynamique 2.0T 2005

I have owned Laguna€™s since 1994 and they represent excellent value - depreciation is high so being prepared to keep for a good few years. The 2005 version (just replaced by 2007 version) is an excellent all round car which gives space, reliability and practicality.

Renault Laguna Hatch 1.5 dCi 2007

My family was getting larger and my VW Golf just wasn’t big enough any more. I had heard many positive reports on the Laguna from friends and family and after reading some online reviews decided that it was the car for me. I feel that my choice has been vindicated as the Laguna is a fine drive an gives me all the space we need. WHAT CAR? gave the Laguna 4 stars out of 5. I’ll give it 5 out of 5, that’s how happy I am with it.