Renault Latitude 2011 review

Korea, Japan and France have each had a hand in the new Renault Latitude. The French brand's latest pitch into the mid-sized field is more controlled and on-target than anything that's driven under the badge in the past, and also comes with a $36,990 opening price that buries unfortunate memories of failures with the over-priced and under-done Laguna in the past.

The Latitude still has to overcome buyer resistance, and it needs to answer plenty of questions, but it proves that new Australian management is not stopping after re-positioning and re-pricing the Megane at the start of the year. The Latitude is definitely a Renault, but not as we've known them. It's less 'French', more worldly, and that approach could work for a car that must go up against everything from the Ford Mondeo to Honda Accord and Toyota Aurion.

VALUE

A starting price of $36,990 looks good and there is a lot of good stuff in the Latitude. For a start, the bottom line is the same for both the turbodiesel and V6 petrol engines, and there is a Luxe package with plenty of added luxury for $5500. Building with Samsung in Korea means the list of basic equipment runs from leather seats and alloy wheels to sun blinds, keyless starting, a 3D sound system, satnav - a TomTom system including speed limits - and dual-zone aircon.

The Luxe pack has a claimed $7000 of value, from Bose sound to a glass sunroof, massaging on the driver's seat, a reversing camera and even an ioniser for the cabin air. But the big value boost in the Latitude is the five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. "This gives us a flagship model. It has all the luxury features, but also gives us somewhere to move in the brand and moves us into the family market," says Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia.

TECHNOLOGY

Most of the technology is loaded into the equipment, not the mechanical package, including the ioniser. The Latitude is standard four-door sedan with two engine choices – the torquey turbodiesel and smooth V6 - and front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic across the models. But there is some neat stuff hidden away, including the basics of the Nissan Maxima in the mechanical package and the V6 engine.

DESIGN

The Latitude will sell in more than 50 countries and that means it is pretty bland. Not offensive, but not a head-turner. The shape ensures there is good space in the cabin - particularly rear- seat legroom - and a big boot.

No-one can explain the silly little attempt at a spoiler on the boot, the cabin is effective without much personality, and it's impossible to look at the Latitude and not benchmark it against the classy job done by Kia on its latest Optima. The two cars even have something in common - a shiny black roof that's becoming a must-have item on wannabe prestige cars.

SAFETY

A five-star safety rating is one of Renault's brand pillars and that's what it is expecting from the Latitude. But it's yet to be tested and so we have to rely on the strength of the French company's body engineering, as well as six airbags, ESP stability control and some smart stuff including anti-pinch electric windows (to protect little hands) and a speed limiter. The brake assist also trips the hazard warning lights in a panic stop, something we've only seen in upscale cars in the past.

DRIVING

The Latitude is a relaxed drive. It's relaxed and comfortable, with some nice surprises from the clever satnav to rear sunblinds. The basics are good, the ride and handling is safe and predictable, and it is fit-for-purpose on the driving front. The turbodiesel engine has solid shove and if you want more then it's available in the V6. It's a sweet motor we've liked in the Maxima, although there is no temptation - not even shift paddles behind the wheel - to encourage anything sporty.

Some of the quality looks a bit ordinary, at least compared to the classiness in the new Kia Optima, and it's not nearly as enjoyable to drive as a Mondeo. It's probably closest to the Camry and Aurion, although with the turbodiesel engine and more equipment at a value price.

At the end, the Latitude is a much more sensible choice than a Laguna in the past, but it just doesn't have that 'French' look and feel you expect from a French car. That could be a bonus if Renault can lure people into showrooms on a value deal, but we wonder if the Latitude is different and classy enough in a class that's already packed with choices.

VERDICT

Nice car, nice price, nice warranty, but not enough impact.

"A nice package at a good price, but it's lost the Renault feeling"