Buying Guide
Looking for a comfortable and practical family classic? The 19 should fit the bill very nicely – if you can find one, that is…
Renault 19
‘Renault used Italdesign for a bit of Giugiaro magic on its new model’
Anyone who had their eye on a new family hatchback would have been spoilt for choice 30 years ago. All of the main car makers offered something to tempt buyers, and the decision got a little harder with the arrival of the Renault 19 in February 1989.
Unveiled the previous year, the 19 was intended to replace the aging 9 and 11 and Renault engaged the services of Italdesign to sprinkle a bit of Giugiaro magic on its new model. The result was an aerodynamic and neatly-styled three- or five-door hatchback, though the range later expanded to encompass the Chamade saloon.
Both passenger space and body rigidity were improved compared to the models it replaced and there was also a new 1.4-litre ‘Energy’ engine; known as the E-Type. The carb-fed unit promised 40mpg economy, although having to use a manual choke for cold starts
felt a touch old fashioned even for 1989. There were also 1.7 and 1.8 petrol units and 1.9 diesels to choose from, along with a vast range of trim levels and special editions over the years. Renault didn’t stand still, though, introducing a Karmann-engineered Cabriolet in 1992, while hot hatchback fans were served by the 1.8 16v boasting around 140bhp and a 0-60mph sprint despatched in a shade over eight seconds. 1992 also saw the arrival of Phase 2 models with restyled front and rear ends and revisions to engines and trim, and it was revised again in 1994 just two years before the Mégane replaced it. With its family-friendly practicality, and impressive ride and handling, the 19 might have been a strong seller for La Régie, but it is a very rare sight today, with an estimated 250 left on the UK’s roads. Here’s what to look for.