| Week at the Wheel | Renault Laguna Coupé GT 3.0 V6 dCi 235 |

Inside & Out:

There's no doubting that the Laguna Coupé is a very pretty car. Not in a way that puts off some buyers who want a muscular appearance, but in a way that you want to be seen in this car. Yet, it's also delicate in the detailing and has a finely balanced style that makes the Coupé the stand-out model in the Laguna range. Inside, there's just enough to lift the Coupé's cabin above the hatch's to make it feel distinct, if not quite as special as an Audi A5's or BMW 3 Series Coupé's. Renault has improved its quality a great deal and it shows in the Laguna Coupé's fit and finish, so expect this sleek machine to last well.

Space in the cabin is good up front for the driver and passenger, with leather sports seats providing more than ample comfort in the GT version tested here. Our test car also came with £800 optional heated and electrically adjusted seats, which add to the opulence. Move to the back seats and space is in much more limited supply due to the slope of the roof line. This restricts headroom, while adults will find legroom tight. On the upside, the 60/40 split rear seats fold down to open up the already large boot to create a generous cargo bay. Dropping down the rear seats is easy-peasy thanks to levers in the sides of the boot walls that just need a tug. Access to the boot is through a narrow opening, but we found it didn't hinder practicality in daily life.

Engine & Transmission:

It's hard not to like an engine that provides 0-62mph in a brisk 7.3 seconds yet also returns a constant 39.2mpg. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel delivers a hefty 232bhp and 332lb.ft of torque, so it's no slouch through the gears and when overtaking, though the motor never loses its composure or becomes coarse and unrefined. However, the six-speed automatic gearbox is not quite as willing to play the sporting role as it is to cruise. In town or on the motorway, the automatic transmission makes life relaxing, but when you want the gearbox to kick down swiftly it can take longer to register the driver's desires than is desired. The driver can overcome this by using the manual override on the gear lever, but it would be handy not to have to use the sports mode when all you want is a quick spurt of speed. Even so, the V6 diesel makes the entire petrol engine range in the Laguna Coupé appear redundant, though it can't be had with a manual gearbox if that's your preference.

Ride & Handling:

The overall nature of the Renault is more luxury long distance tourer than sporting coupé, which is underscored by the superb refinement enjoyed inside the Laguna Coupé's cabin. It's further enhanced by the lightness of the controls, which may not deliver BMW levels of sensitivity but suit the continent-crossing aims of the Laguna. However, the ride lets the side down by being too firm in all conditions. In town, there's always just a fraction too much jiggle, while bumpier and faster roads show the suspension is being deflected off course too readily. The trade-off here is that the Laguna Coupé corners flat and secure, but the steering misses much of the feel that would make this a rewarding experience, and ultimately we cannot forgive the skewed balance between comfort and handling.

Our test car came with the GT upgrades and that, crucially, includes a four-wheel steer chassis. It works by letting the rear wheels move fractionally around their vertical access to quicken the Laguna Coupé's turn-in to corners. It works well and there's no doubt the Renault feels very stable and eager to turn its nose at the sniff of a corner, but again the steering's over-assistance and light feel detracts from the overall benefit of the GT package.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

At £29,550 for the, wait for it, Laguna Coupé GT V6 dCi 235 FAP, it's reasonable value for a car that comes dripping in standard equipment. Apart from the GT chassis, there's climate control, leather seats, cruise control, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights and an MP3-compatible stereo. Match that spec in some of the Laguna's rivals and you'll be spending a great deal more. Our test car came with a further £3,145 of extras, including metallic paint, satellite navigation - a whopping £1,750 - and an upgraded stereo that added £1,500 to the price tag. All very nice, but you're unlikely to see much of a return on this when you come to sell the Renault on as the Laguna Coupé's residual values will not be as resilient as an Audi's or BMW's.

However, Renault does specify 18,000-mile service intervals to save some cash and the warranty is good for three years or 100,000 miles. You also get eight airbags, ESP stability control, Isofix rear child seat mounts and anti-whiplash head rests.

Where the Laguna Coupé scores well against much of the competition is its economy. Turning in 39.2mpg combined consumption is good news for anyone in this day and age, while the 192g/km of carbon dioxide emissions compares well with most of the competition's figures.

Overall:

Coupés are cars that many buy with their hearts rather than their heads. With the Laguna Coupé, it's a mix of both as the combination of its slinky good looks, generous equipment list and big V6 diesel that serves up performance and economy is all very attractive. The Laguna Coupé doesn't handle with the same panache as its German rivals even with the GT pack fitted, nor does it ride as sveltely as some of the other competition, but it's easy to live with and as practical as most coupés. Many buyers will not be concerned that the Laguna is not as deft through corners as some and are prepared to trade some comfort for the looks. We wouldn't argue against them as the Laguna Coupé is a great looker, and in this respect Renault has come up trumps.