If there's a more glamorous, more satisfying sporty estate than this for the price, I'll eat my steering wheel.

That's my promise after a week road testing the fabulously elegant Renault Laguna Sports Tourer – the car reborn and reinvigorated in its third incarnation.

Yes, the Laguna has grown into a graceful, desirable model that's not only more dynamic to drive than its predecessors but also a more practical, well ordered car.

Laguna's earlier glitches have been sorted, there's far more attention to detail and overall, it's quite incredible how Renault has managed to get so many essential features right.

Looks alone will be enough to sell the car against the opposition. The long, elegant tourer looks beautifully sculpted and futuristic from any angle with swept back, sleek lines.

It's arguably even better looking than the hatch version, with a cleverly sculpted rear windows, aerodynamic roof rails, wraparound rear lamps and the tailgate neatly inset into the rear bumper. An extra bank of roof-level LED brakelights are a sensible feature and the twin exhausts are a subtle reminder of the car's potency.

Inside, the Tourer is light and airy with plenty of space and built quality is impressive. Doors shut sweetly with a barely audible, muffled thud and there's a satisfying solidity about the whole car.

A stylish, curvy dashboard is classily finished in all back with smart matt chrome contrast and silver-rimmed main dials look cool and are effectively displayed, with 30/50/70mph markings set out for speedo.

Although there's a mass of information to take in, with a central digital panel, dual climate control, and CD-tuner all onboard, the fascia is mercifully user-friendly.

A long, silver-finished centre console also housed the auto gearbox on my test car and freed up extra space with a parking brake mini lever, which can either be knocked off by fingertip or simply self-releases when you start driving.

While we're on the subject of brakes, a word of praise for the Laguna's, which have plenty of feel at all speeds and are never snatchy, with smooth progression than can be finely judged.

A super-smooth, quiet and unfussy 2.0-litre petrol engine powered my test car. It's economical, boasts plenty of power through the gears and cruises sweetly and the auto version sneaks in seamless changes unobtrusively. There's also a straight-up-and-down sequential slot for 'manual' driving if you need more direct control under certain driving conditions.

Power steering is set just right to provide enough assistance to make parking and manoeuvring easy while allowing enough feel to make driving interesting and involving. The driver stays in tune with the car right through a bend and the Sports Tourer lives up to its name with satisfying grip and lack of roll.

Suspension is the last word in comfort – Renault is rightly renowned for turning out cars with the best ride quality around in their class.
Seating is also fabulously supportive and luxurious, with smart black suede and white stitching, electrically adjustable all ways and incredibly relaxing for long-distance travel.

The all-important luggage section is quickly accessible and very versatile. A clever quick release system shoots down the rear seat backs to create a totally flat load floor and there's a bumper level floor and big cutaway area to accommodate bulky items.

With no rear suspension intrusion, space is totally clear and tie-down hooks in each corner of the compartment are a bonus.

High-tech touches such as keyless entry and push-button starting show that Renault are up there with the big boys with cutting edge technology.

I don't fancy eating my steering wheel if you disagree but show me a lovelier, more comfortable sports tourer and I'll think about it.

At a glance:

• Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2.0 Dynamique 16v.


• Prices range from £16,940-£23,900.


• Third generation Laguna is most complete yet, with better driving dynamics, higher quality and a more appealing overall package.


• Roomy, comfortable, glamorous and relatively gimmick-free family vehicle. With plenty of driving satisfaction, comfort and versatility.


• Engines on offer range from new 175bhp 2.0dCi to the super-economical 1.5 dCi (110bhp) diesels, with 150bhp and 130bhp versions of the 2.0 diesel engine in between:alternatively there's a 2.0-litre petrol engine in 140bhp and turbocharged 170bhp formats.


• An automatic gearbox comes with the 2.0 dCi 150 (as an option) and 2.0 16v 170 (as standard).


• Four trim levels, from Expression through Dynamique and Dynamique S to fully-equipped Initiale.


• Revisions to steering and suspension result in much-improved handling.


• Sport Tourer's large windows ands wide tailgate glass give excellent all-round views.


• Standard equipment includes stability control, traction control, Brake Assist and six airbags in all models.