Overall rating:

It's something of an alternative choice, but the Renault Laguna Monaco represents fantastic value next to the Audi A5s and BMW 3 Series Coupés it goes up against. Fans of the premium German rivals are unlikely to be tempted by the generosity and rarity of a car lower down the pecking order like the Laguna, but it really is worth a look. Handsome, good to drive and with reasonably low running costs (45.6mpg and 163g/km), the Renault will stand out from the crowd but simultaneously make sense.

Key Facts

Model tested: Renault Laguna Coupé Monaco GP special edition
Pricing: £24,995 on-the-road
Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé
Rivals: Audi A5, BMW 3 Series Coupé, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé
CO₂ emissions: 150g/km
Combined economy: 49.5mpg
Top speed: 139mph
0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
Power: 180bhp at 3,750rpm
Torque: 295lb.ft at 2,000rpm

Inside & Out:

Renault has taken a stock Laguna Coupé and dressed it up with pearlescent white paintwork, satin black 'Interlagos' alloy wheels and loads of extras. The two-door Laguna is already a rare enough sight on UK roads, so some subtle but sharp exterior details make it all the rarer. The raked windscreen and Aston-style rump from the standard Laguna Coupé remain, rendering it a sleek and handsome beast.

The cabin is identical to that of the Laguna hatchback and Renault has made serious progression in terms of quality in this area. The high centre console is met by a jutting centre section of the dashboard, which is unique and stylish. The sharp angled roofline eats up a lot of space for rear seat passengers, but there's plenty of room in the front.

Ride & Handling:

Of interest here is Renault's '4Control' four-wheel steering system, which allows the rear wheels to steer by up to 3.5 degrees in addition to the front pair. This makes it lively and agile, and encourages the nose to tuck in around tight corners with real precision, while the steering is well weighted. It's no RenaultSport Clio, but considering the size and large amount of spec of the Laguna Monaco, it offers a good mix of entertainment and luxury. Our only gripe is with the ride, which is a little jittery over rough surfaces.

Engine & Transmission:

The proven 178bhp turbodiesel engine (dCi 180) doesn't quite have the shove of the 3.0 V6 diesel, but it's supremely torquey for a four-cylinder unit and fine all-round performer. Expect 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 139mph. The six-speed manual transmission lets the side down a little due to its soft, slushy shift action.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

This is where the Laguna Monaco earns its keep, as it costs £24,995 and comes with a huge amount of additional equipment. The price includes the likes of parking sensors, an inbuilt TomTom satnav system, Bluetooth and full leather trim with Monaco GP logos embossed into the seats. The Laguna might not have the badge appeal of its closest rival, the Audi A5, but you'd have to shell out in excess of £35,000 for that car with the same level of equipment.