28 Iconic Renault Models That Made History
There’s something uniquely satisfying about a car that makes history—especially when it’s a brand like Renault.
I remember passing through a small French village on a road trip, where an old Renault 4 sat under a tarp in a dusty garage.
It wasn’t shiny or new, but there was something undeniably cool about it.
That’s the magic of Renault—over the decades, the brand has quietly shaped car culture with models that left a lasting impact, both in France and around the world.
1. Renault 4
Oh, the Renault 4! Born in the 1960s, it was the quintessential family car for the adventurous. Its quirky design and rugged build made it a favorite among young families and vagabonds alike.
With its simple charm, it drove into the hearts of millions. Despite its utilitarian appearance, it offered surprising comfort and versatility.
The Renault 4 was more than a car; it was a lifestyle companion. It’s no wonder it became a symbol of freedom and exploration throughout Europe.
2. Renault 5
Rocking the 70s and 80s, the Renault 5 was the cool kid on the block. Funky yet functional, it combined practicality with a dash of style. This hatchback was the epitome of ‘small but mighty.’
It didn’t just move people; it moved hearts. With its cheeky design and lively personality, it was a hit among the youth.
The Renault 5 didn’t just keep up with the trends; it set them. It’s a car that made ordinary journeys feel like adventures.
3. Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is the quintessential companion for those who love style with substance. Introduced in the 1990s and still going strong, it’s as appealing today as it was back then.
This little gem is all about combining elegance with efficiency. Whether you’re zipping through city streets or cruising along country roads, the Clio delivers a delightful drive.
It’s the car that whispers sophistication, yet shouts practicality. Truly, it’s not just a car; it’s a statement on wheels.
4. Renault Twingo
Bubbling with personality, the Renault Twingo is the car that dares to be different. Its joyful design and playful spirit make it a standout in a sea of lookalikes.
Born in the 1990s, this little dynamo captured hearts with its unique charm.
Compact yet capacious, it’s the perfect city car. Twingo’s clever use of space and innovative features turn every drive into a delightful escapade. It’s not just a car; it’s an embodiment of joie de vivre.
5. Renault Dauphine
The Renault Dauphine, a 50s icon, was elegance wrapped in steel. It was a symbol of the post-war boom, bringing a touch of class to the everyday. This little sedan was all about smooth rides and chic vibes.
With its graceful lines and refined interior, it was a darling among those who valued style and comfort.
The Dauphine was more than just a means of transport; it was a statement of sophistication, cruising through history with poise.
6. Renault 8 Gordini
Fasten your seatbelts for the Renault 8 Gordini, the sports car that roared into the 60s with a racing pedigree.
With its distinctive blue paint job and white stripes, it was as much a feast for the eyes as it was a thrill to drive.
This was no ordinary sedan; it was a beast on the tracks. A true underdog story, it outpaced bigger, flashier rivals, proving that passion and performance can come in small packages.
7. Renault 16
The Renault 16, introduced in 1965, was revolutionary for its time. As one of the first cars to feature a hatchback design, it offered a combination of practicality and innovation.
With its spacious interior and innovative rear suspension, the Renault 16 quickly became a favorite among families and was celebrated for its comfort and versatility.
Its success marked Renault’s entry into the family car market, setting the stage for future hatchbacks and estate cars.
8. Renault 12
The Renault 12 was the workhorse of the 70s, embodying durability and reliability. It was the car you could count on to get you from point A to B, no matter the road conditions.
With its straightforward design and robust build, it became a favorite among families and adventurers alike.
The Renault 12 didn’t need to shout to be heard; its legacy speaks volumes in dependability and understated charm.
9. Renault 6
The Renault 6, produced between 1968 and 1980, was a compact family car that combined practicality with simplicity.
It featured an innovative design with a sloping roofline, giving it a distinct look compared to other cars in its class.
With a focus on comfort and ease of use, the Renault 6 became a popular choice for families looking for a reliable and affordable car. It’s remembered for its reliability and the efficiency of its small engines.
10. Renault 11
The Renault 11, produced from 1983 to 1989, was a stylish and sporty compact car that gained popularity in Europe during the 1980s.
Known for its distinctive design and efficient use of space, the Renault 11 offered impressive performance for its size, particularly in the turbocharged variants.
With its comfortable interior and agile handling, it quickly became a popular choice for drivers looking for a fun, practical, and affordable compact car.
11. Renault 19
Smooth and sophisticated, the Renault 19 was the epitome of 90s elegance. It was the car that turned heads with its amazing design and refined presence.
Perfect for those who appreciated the finer things in life, it offered a driving experience that was both comfortable and exhilarating.
The Renault 19 was more than a car; it was a statement of style and substance.
12. Renault Fuego
The Renault Fuego, produced between 1980 and 1985, was a striking sports coupe that turned heads with its bold styling and unique flair.
With a amazing design and a range of powerful engines, the Fuego combined speed and style with practical features like a spacious interior.
Despite not achieving massive success, it remains an iconic part of Renault’s history, known for its combination of French elegance and sporty performance.
13. Renault 21 Turbo
The Renault 21 Turbo, produced between 1986 and 1994, became a legend in the world of hot hatches and turbocharged sedans.
With its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, it delivered a thrilling 160 horsepower, making it one of the most exciting cars of its era.
It was a perfect balance between family sedan practicality and sports car performance, with an aggressive design and impressive handling capabilities that made it a hit among performance enthusiasts.
14. Renault Alpine A110
The Renault Alpine A110 is arguably one of the most iconic cars ever produced by Renault.
Released in 1961, it quickly became a symbol of French motorsport, dominating rally racing with its lightweight design and nimble handling.
With its rear-engine layout and striking lines, the Alpine A110 proved itself not only on the racetrack but also as a symbol of French excellence, inspiring generations of car enthusiasts and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of motorsport.
15. Renault Alpine A310
Enter the future with the Renault Alpine A310, a car that embodied cutting-edge design and performance in the 70s and 80s. Its bold lines and distinctive silhouette were ahead of their time.
This was not just a sports car; it was a vision of innovation and style. The Alpine A310 captured imaginations and pushed boundaries, proving that Renault was always one step ahead.
16. Renault Avantime
The Renault Avantime, produced between 2001 and 2003, was an avant-garde vehicle that combined the luxury of a coupe with the practicality of a minivan.
With its distinctive design and panoramic roof, the Avantime was ahead of its time, offering a unique blend of space, style, and comfort.
Despite its futuristic appeal, it wasn’t a commercial success but remains a cult classic, celebrated for its bold design and innovative concept.
17. Renault Espace
The Renault Espace, launched in 1984, was a groundbreaking vehicle that defined the concept of the modern MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).
It revolutionized family cars with its spacious and flexible interior, making it a favorite among families in need of practicality.
The Espace’s innovative design and versatility paved the way for future family cars and cemented its place in automotive history as the original MPV, inspiring generations of similar vehicles.
18. Renault Laguna
The Renault Laguna, produced from 1994 to 2007, was a highly regarded family car that combined comfort with innovation.
Known for its stylish design and efficient engines, the Laguna offered a smooth ride and advanced features for its time.
It became one of Renault’s most popular models in Europe, offering everything from a spacious interior to cutting-edge technology.
It cemented Renault’s reputation for producing practical yet stylish cars that appealed to a wide range of drivers.
19. Renault Vel Satis
The Renault Vel Satis, produced between 2001 and 2009, was a luxury car that stood out for its unique and unconventional design.
It combined luxury and practicality, offering a spacious interior and advanced features.
Despite its bold design, it never achieved the commercial success Renault hoped for but remains a standout in the company’s history for its willingness to take risks with car design.
It’s a car that’s admired by those who appreciate bold and innovative thinking in automotive design.
20. Renault Koleos
The Renault Koleos, introduced in 2008, marked Renault’s entry into the competitive SUV market.
With its spacious interior, advanced technology, and all-wheel-drive capabilities, the Koleos was designed for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
It offered both comfort and off-road capability, making it a popular choice among those who wanted a practical and stylish SUV.
The Koleos continues to be a mainstay in Renault’s lineup, offering a combination of sophistication and versatility.
21. Renault Mégane
The Renault Mégane, launched in 1995, is one of the most iconic and successful compact cars in Renault’s history.
Known for its stylish design, reliable performance, and practical features, the Mégane has become a staple in the European car market.
It has undergone several generations, constantly improving in terms of technology, safety, and efficiency.
Whether as a hatchback, sedan, or sportier variant like the Mégane RS, it remains one of Renault’s most loved models, offering a great balance of style and performance.
22. Renault Mégane R.S.
The Renault Mégane R.S. is the car that took performance to the next level. This hot hatch was all about speed and style, a true performance beast.
With its turbocharged engine and track-ready features, it was born to thrill. The Mégane R.S. wasn’t just a car; it was a driving sensation, pushing limits and breaking boundaries.
23. Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe, launched in 2012, is one of Europe’s most popular electric cars. As a compact city car with an affordable price tag, it has helped make electric vehicles more accessible to the masses.
With its long range, practical interior, and innovative technology, the Zoe has proven to be a game-changer in the electric car market.
It remains one of Renault’s most successful models and a key player in the company’s push for sustainability in the automotive industry.
24. Renault 18
The Renault 18 was the car that brought comfort and reliability to the forefront in the late 70s and 80s. It was the family sedan that offered peace of mind on every journey.
With its spacious interior and dependable performance, it was the perfect companion for life’s adventures. The Renault 18 was more than just a car; it was a trusted friend on the road.
25. Renault Floride / Caravelle
The Floride (Caravelle in export markets) was Renault’s answer to the stylish roadsters of the late ’50s and early ’60s.
Built with a dash of Italian flair courtesy of Pietro Frua and a whole lot of French charm, it was more about café cruising than corner carving. Still, its rear-engine layout and open-air vibe gave it personality in spades.
Whether parked along the Côte d’Azur or bouncing through Paris side streets, the Floride was Renault doing style with a wink.
26. Renault 25
The Renault 25 didn’t whisper luxury—it declared it in that distinctively French way.
Introduced in the 1980s, it was Renault’s high-tech, high-comfort executive car, loaded with voice warnings and cutting-edge features that felt like sci-fi at the time.
With sleek hatchback styling and room to stretch, it was the choice of discerning bureaucrats and avant-garde commuters alike.
The 25 showed Renault could do plush just as well as it did practical. And yes—it talked to you before your car ever had Bluetooth.
27. Renault Le Car (U.S. version of the Renault 5)
To Americans, it was the Le Car. To Europeans, it was just a Renault 5. But on either side of the Atlantic, this funky little hatch made a splash.
It was light, fun, and full of charm—exactly what people needed during the gas-conscious ’70s. It might not have roared, but it zipped around with a kind of cheeky confidence.
Drivers loved its French flair and city-friendly size. Le Car was never cool in a conventional sense—just cool because it didn’t try to be.
28. Renault Spider
No windshield. No roof. No excuses. The Renault Sport Spider was wild. Built in the mid-’90s as a pure driver’s machine, it was barely legal and completely brilliant.
Lightweight aluminum chassis, mid-engine layout, and zero fluff—it was made for racetracks, backroads, and thrill-seekers who didn’t care about creature comforts.
This wasn’t a car; it was a statement. It said Renault could still do mad science when it wanted to. The Spider wasn’t practical, but it was unforgettable—Renault with the gloves off.