Test drive by Renault Laguna 2001 - 2005 hatchback

True Frenchwoman

Renault Laguna is not a beginner in the automobile market, the debut of this car took place at the Paris Motor Show in 2000. However, the model reached Russia only in early 2002. As you know, French women are extremely attractive in adulthood. So Laguna, despite the fact that in four years she was not subjected to serious modernization, continue to buy well in Europe. What is the secret of the popularity of the car? Let's try to figure it out.
 
As you know, the word lagoon means bay or bay, which is separated from the sea, the sandy braid. In the view, a quiet safe place or rest on the coast immediately arises. Nowadays, such a romantic name of the car is rare, as a rule, modern cars have faceless names invented by soulless computers. Let's see how much our heroine corresponds to him.
 
As for security, everything is in order with her. On this car, the driver of the driver and passengers includes six airbags in any configuration, and the degree of opening of the front pillows depends on the power of the blow. It is no coincidence that with crash tests, as part of the European program, Euroncap Laguna showed the best result: five out of five possible stars. Her designers also paid much attention to active safety. All versions are equipped with the latest generation ABS with the electronic system of the EBV brake force distribution and an emergency braking system.
 
What does the car look like? So, as it should be French, middle -aged: elegant, moderately extravagant. When looking at the front, Renault's corporate style is immediately visible. Behind the car is not so recognizable, the two -story trunk resembles Volvo, but, as you know, this shape of the back of the body is most optimal in an aerodynamic sense. The station wagon looks even more spectacular, in which the back of the body has nothing to do with the hatchback. There is simply no sedan in the Laguna family. So it happened since ancient times that the large models of Renault have versions only hatchback and station wagon.
 
Let's look into the salon. There is no traditional key, door locks open using buttons on a map with remote control, the Renault company line. The driver's seat is impeccable, convenient landing, excellent lateral support. Traditionally, the seats in French cars are softer than, for example, in German. They say that it seems to be not significant. But I know by myself, on the long road on French cars, the fifth point of the driver’s support is much less. Naturally, in a car of this class there are all kinds of adjustments of the seats that allow a person to work comfortably to a person of any complexion. The steering wheel of small diameter with adjustment in height and in the longitudinal direction is very convenient. In the Dynamique version, the steering wheel and gearbox handle are covered with skin. The instrument panel is generally traditional, but the speedometer has an original digitization. Figures 30, 50, 90, 120 are much larger than the others, which corresponds to the main speed restrictions in Europe. Already in the basic version, the machine is equipped with an on -board computer, climatic installation and electric windows of the front and rear doors. The volume of the glove box is small, but it can be used as a small refrigerator.
 
The Dynamique version varies with the standard more advanced automatic climatic installation with separate control for the left and right parts of the cabin and the sensor of the intensity of solar radiation, and the fact that the driver's seat has an adjustment of the lumbar, in addition, the seat of the right front passenger can be adjusted in height. Another difference between the Dynamique version audio system with a compact disc player.
Now move to the back seat. It is as convenient here as in front. A very large space for the legs has been left. The only minus is a low roof, so passengers who have growth above 185 cm will most likely rest their heads on the ceiling. The station wagon is much more comfortable for passengers, the ceiling height of which is noticeably larger than in the hatchback. The rear places in the car are equipped with everything necessary. There is a convenient central armrest with a clothing department and two cup holders, a 12 V socket (Dynamique equipment). However, only two people will be able to conveniently accommodate in the back seat, the armrest will interfere with the third, and there is nowhere to put the legs of a wide central tunnel. Leaving the salon, you pay attention to the fact that all four doors have bulbs that illuminate the road in the threshold area.
 
The trunk in Renault Laguna is not the largest in class (430 l), but it is convenient to load things into it due to the fact that its lower edge is low from the road. In addition, the trunk lid is equipped with inner handles, so the opportunity is excluded to stain hands in inclement weather.
 
Now let's try the car on the go. The test was Laguna 1.8 Dynamique. The start of the engine is carried out as follows. First, the key-key card is inserted into a special slot, including the ignition. Then press the Start/Stop button, as on expensive sports cars. Everything, the engine started up, you can go. Traditionally, Renault cars have very light pedals. Because of this, as well as because the engine craving at low speeds is small, the moment of triggering the clutch at first is difficult to guess. But soon you get used to it. And a small effort attached to the pedals is rather a plus than a minus: on the long road, the legs get tired less. Laguna acceleration takes pretty good (in 10.7 seconds up to 100 km/h), and up to 3,000 revolutions are practically not heard. You can’t hold on the brakes either. A quiet engine, good noise insulation, excellent aerodynamics all these factors contribute to the fact that on the long journey the driver feels very comfortable. At cruising speeds up to 120 km/h in the cabin very quietly, but the noise greatly affects fatigue. Traditionally, all French cars are famous for their suspension, Laguna is no exception in this regard. The suspension on it is simultaneously energy -intensive and soft. The car does not notice small defects of the road surface at all, and large ones do not cause breakdown of the suspension.
 
The controllability of the car under the usual operating conditions is excellent. In the marginal regimes, it was not possible to test him. I can only say that when the steep turns passing at high speed, Laguna, as befits a normal front -wheel drive car, demonstrates slightly insufficient rotation.
 
The car is economical. On the highway, you can easily cost 7 liters per 100 km, and in the city the fuel consumption does not exceed 10 liters.
 
At the wheel you feel so comfortable and comfortable that you instantly forget about fatigue. I would like to quit work and rush somewhere to the warm sea! Laguna is capable of this. It’s not difficult to drive 1000 km behind the wheel of this car without a single stop! Indeed, even for refueling, you will not have to stop, since the fuel tank has a capacity of 70 liters.
 
I didn’t have a chance to drive a car with a two -liter engine, but, judging by the factory characteristics, its character does not differ significantly from the version with a 1.8 engine.
 
Laguna is supplied to Russia to Russia with a 210 -liter V6 engine. With. But this is already completely different in its behavior, and it costs much more than the basic version.
 
All machines that official dealers supply are adapted for Russian operating conditions. The motor compartment has powerful protection, also protected fuel trunks.
 
In addition to gasoline power units, Renault Laguna installed magnificent turbodiesels, powerful and economical, but, unfortunately, due to problems with the quality of domestic fuel to Russia, they are not supplied.
 
Well, what about reliability? In our country, the sale of the new Laguna began a little more than two years ago, so so far no typical malfunctions have been noticed. It is known that Renault engines are famous for their reliability, a mileage of 300 thousand km for them is far from the limit. In Moscow, you can find old -generation Laguna cars. Many of them have long stepped over the hundred thousandth border, however, the main elements of the chassis on them have not yet been changed.
 
Who can interest Laguna? In France, cars of this class are usually second in the family. For everyday operation, practical French people prefer to use small -leafing class B, they are more economical and occupy less space in the parking lot. And more expensive cars are used for family trips to weekends, as well as for long -distance travel. Given this, the French designers, when developing Laguna, paid increased attention to the comfort of the driver and passengers, as well as the safety of both passive and active. Indeed, on suburban speeds, speeds are significantly higher than in the city, respectively, the accidents are more severe.
 
In Russia, this machine can be recommended for daily operation, since the problem with parking is not yet as acute as in Europe. Perhaps Laguna will be the perfect choice for a small family who loves to travel. At least today in this class of cars there is no more suitable car for traveling. An additional plus: the model is not very popular among hijackers.
 
And finally, Laguna is just a beautiful Frenchwoman with a special charm. Nowadays, when all cars become similar to each other, like twins, individuality is very rare, and many appreciate it. Summing up, we can say that Laguna is fully consistent with its romantic name.
 
The editors thanks the company Auto`Kay
For the car provided.
 
 

Source: Magazine Cars and Prices No. 47, November 29, 2004