SPOT.
Photo of a Renault Symbol

Renault Symbol

Clio II bones and a 510-liter trunk: the original Symbol's 1999 formula.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 27 sources

At a glance

0100200
63–115 hpPower
01020
11.2–16.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
160–186 km/hTop speed
0150300
105–220 N·mTorque
07501,500
904–1,268 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.110

Engine
0.9–1.6 L gas/flex-fuel; 1.5–1.9 L diesel; III includes turbo I3s1
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive1
Gearbox
I–II: 5-speed manual/4-speed automatic; III: 5-speed manual/Easy-R189
Built at
I–II Oyak-Renault, Turkey; II Santa Isabel, Argentina; III Oued Tlelat, Algeria16

The story

Built for markets that favored sedans, the Symbol arrived in 1999 with Clio II roots and a 510-liter trunk. Generation II kept those foundations; generation III moved to the Logan II in 2012.1

1999: Clio II gets a 510-liter trunk19992002: A Clio-style nose, 3 ARCAP stars20022008: Moscow debut, then Autobest 200920082010: Connection adds Sony sound20102012: Logan II roots, TCe 90 arrives20122014: Oran opens; Symbol brings GPS20142015: Miladi wears an Arabic trunk badge20152017: Easy-R joins the facelift20172021: Symbol production ends2021 Renault Supercinq: 1984–1996Renault SupercinqRenault Clio I: 1990–1999Renault Clio IRenault Clio II (X65): 1998–2016X65Renault Clio Symbol (first generation): 1999–2008Renault Symbol II (L35): 2008–2013L35Renault Symbol III: 2013–2021 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1192021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1984–1996Renault Supercinq
1990–1999Renault Clio I
1998–2016Renault Clio II (X65)
1999–2008Renault Clio Symbol (first generation)
2008–2013Renault Symbol II (L35)
2013–2021Renault Symbol III
1999Clio II gets a 510-liter trunk
2002A Clio-style nose, 3 ARCAP stars
2008Moscow debut, then Autobest 2009
2010Connection adds Sony sound
2012Logan II roots, TCe 90 arrives
2014Oran opens; Symbol brings GPS
2015Miladi wears an Arabic trunk badge
2017Easy-R joins the facelift
2021Symbol production ends
  1. 1999

    Clio II gets a 510-liter trunk

    Production starts at Oyak-Renault in Bursa, Turkey, with sales beginning in November. Generation I is 38 cm longer than its hatchback parent.1

  2. 2002

    A Clio-style nose, 3 ARCAP stars

    March brings a Clio-style nose. ARCAP gives generation I 10.9/16, with driver left-knee and rib injury risks and passenger concussion risk above 12%.12

  3. 2008

    Moscow debut, then Autobest 2009

    Generation II debuts in August with Clio II running gear and a 506-liter trunk; December brings Autobest 2009, judged by journalists from 15 countries.13

  4. 2010

    Connection adds Sony sound

    The Connection edition pairs Sony Bluetooth/USB audio with 15-inch alloys and side lettering; the sales target is 2,000 by March 2011.4

  5. 2012

    Logan II roots, TCe 90 arrives

    Logan II-based generation III debuts at Istanbul. Claimed consumption: TCe 90, 5.3 L/100 km; dCi 75 and dCi 90, 3.9 L/100 km.15

  6. 2014

    Oran opens; Symbol brings GPS

    The Oued Tlelat plant opens on November 10, with 25,000 cars/year capacity. Its Symbol is announced as Algeria's first vehicle with GPS.6

  7. 2015

    Miladi wears an Arabic trunk badge

    The Miladi edition marks the Oran plant's first anniversary with Arabic trunk lettering, an armrest and illuminated Renault door sills.7

  8. 2017

    Easy-R joins the facelift

    In Turkey and Chile, generation III gains LED running lights, new rear styling and a 3-spoke wheel; Easy-R adds an automated manual option.1

  9. 2021

    Symbol production ends

    Generation III bows out after its 2013–2021 run; the Renault Taliant succeeds it.1

Every generation

  • Renault Supercinq
    Renault Supercinq1984–1996
  • Renault Clio I
    Renault Clio I1990–1999
  • Renault Clio II
    X651998–2016
  • Renault Clio Symbol (first generation)
    Renault Clio Symbol (first generation)1999–2008
  • Renault Symbol II
    L352008–2013
  • Dacia Logan II
    Dacia Logan II
  • Renault Symbol III
    Renault Symbol III2013–2021
  • Renault Taliant
    Renault Taliant

Power over the years

From 75 hp to 113 hp in 10 years.

050100150 20002005201020152020 hp 1999 · 75 hp · I Europe 1.4 8V1999 · 98 hp · I Europe 1.4 16V2002 · 105 hp · I Europe 1.6 16V Dynamique2008 · 64 hp · II 1.5 dCi (65 PS)2008 · 75 hp · II 1.2 16V2008 · 85 hp · II 1.5 dCi 852008 · 97 hp · II 1.4 16V (98 PS)2009 · 108 hp · II Brazil 1.6 Hi-Flex gas, 149 Nm2009 · 113 hp · II Brazil 1.6 Hi-Flex ethanol, 157 Nm2013 · 90 hp · III 0.9 TCe 90 Touch2019 · 75 hp · III Joy 1.0 SCe 752019 · 95 hp · III 1.5 Blue dCi 95 Joy/Touch 113 hp II Brazil 1.6 Hi-Flex ethanol, 1… 75 hp I Europe 1.4 8V
1311121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199975I Europe 1.4 8V
199998I Europe 1.4 16V
2002105I Europe 1.6 16V Dynamique
200864II 1.5 dCi (65 PS)
200875II 1.2 16V
200885II 1.5 dCi 85
200897II 1.4 16V (98 PS)
2009108II Brazil 1.6 Hi-Flex gas, 149 Nm
2009113II Brazil 1.6 Hi-Flex ethanol, 157 Nm
201390III 0.9 TCe 90 Touch
201975III Joy 1.0 SCe 75
201995III 1.5 Blue dCi 95 Joy/Touch

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Clio Symbol RN / RT

  • Standard

    Symbol Authentique (second generation)

  • Symbol Expression (second generation)

    Standard

    Symbol Expression (second generation)

  • Symbol Privilège (second generation)

    Standard

    Symbol Privilège (second generation)

  • Standard

    Symbol Pack / Confort (Argentina)

    2009

  • Standard

    Symbol Luxe 1.6 16V (Argentina)

    2009

  • Standard

    Symbol Joy (Turkey)

    2013

    75 hp

  • Standard

    Symbol Touch (Turkey)

    2013

  • Special

    Citius taxi (Colombia)

  • Limited

    Symbol Connection

    2010

  • Limited

    Symbol Miladi Exception

    2015

  • Limited

    Symbol Miladi Extrême

    2015

How to spot one

Look for

  • Second generation: an extra triangular side window helps blend the cabin into the trunk.117
  • Second generation: oversized headlights, wraparound taillights and chrome around the grille and rear panel.1317
  • Third generation: a large upright Renault diamond sits in a wide black grille strip edged in chrome.15

Year by year

  1. 2002

    First generation gains the Clio hatchback nose, reshaped fenders and bumpers, separate high/low-beam optics and black bumper strips.110

  2. 2006

    First-generation update brings body-colored exterior trim, smooth bumpers, a revised grille and the Clio II dashboard.18

  3. 2008

    Second generation gains a triangular third side window, wraparound rear lights and chrome around the grille and rear panel.1317

  4. 2010

    Second-generation Authentique gets two-tone trend upholstery; Expression and Privilège get light distinction upholstery, plus extra cabin chrome.118

  5. 2013

    Third generation adopts a wide black grille with a larger upright Renault badge, different headlights and mirror-mounted turn signals.15

  6. 2017

    Third generation gains LED daytime running lights, a redesigned trunk and taillights, plus a three-spoke steering wheel.1

Don’t confuse it with

  • Renault Clio II

    The first-generation Symbol adds a separate sedan trunk to its Clio hatchback relative's shape.1

  • Photo of a Renault Symbol
    Symbol
    Photo of a Nissan Platina
    Nissan Platina

    Nissan Platina

    The related first-generation body has a Nissan Altima-style nose, with small front-end changes from the Renault.1

Against its rivals

  • Daewoo Nexia

    Symbol vs Daewoo Nexia

    Upkeep over 50,000 km lower is better

    Symbol24,963 RUB
    Daewoo Nexia43,967 RUB
    22
  • Peugeot 206 Sedan

    Symbol vs Peugeot 206 Sedan

    Price as tested lower is better

    Symbol466,275 RUB
    Peugeot 206 Sedan408,000 RUB
    9
  • Fiat Albea

    Symbol vs Fiat Albea

    Price as tested lower is better

    Symbol466,275 RUB
    Fiat Albea395,000 RUB
    9

  • Symbol vs Chevrolet Aveo Sedan 1.3 CDTi

    Official consumption lower is better

    Symbol3.9 L/100 km
    Chevrolet Aveo Sedan 1.3 CDTi3.7 L/100 km
    23

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “Turkey's best-selling car in 2007”
    • “Casso's comeback wins heat 2 at SpeedFest”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 27 sources
  1. Renault Symbol - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Renault Symbol — Авторевю autoreview.ru
  3. Renault Symbol - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  4. Renault lan�a Symbol Connection por R$ 42.690 - AUTOO autoo.com.br
  5. New Renault Symbol: a status-enhancing yet affordable family saloon | WebWire webwire.com
  6. Inauguration of Oran plant marks start of automotive industry in Algeria - Renault Group global media website media.renaultgroup.com
  7. Renault Algérie : Une série limitée de Symbol «Miladi» - Algerie360 algerie360.com
  8. Symbol of what? Updated Renault Symbol / Renault test drives autoportal.ua
  9. Тест Peugeot 206 Sedan, Fiat Albea, Renault Symbol: Антикризисная коалиция zr.ru
  10. Renault Symbol. СИМВОЛ ОБНОВЛЕНИЯ zr.ru
  11. Noul Renault Clio Symbol, in Romania de la 7990 euro - Auto.ro auto.ro
  12. Renault Symbol, argentino, chega a R$ 41.190 - Automotive Business | Automotive Business automotivebusiness.com.br
  13. Yeni (2013) Renault Symbol fiyat listesi - Otomobil otomobil.com.tr
  14. Renault Symbol fiyat listesi 2019 | Aracbulten.Com aracbulten.com
  15. Test Drive Renault Symbol - 16 Valvulas 16valvulas.com.ar
  16. Carros y Clasicos - Prueba Renault Symbol II carrosyclasicos.com
  17. Test drive Renault Symbol (2009) - "Ciudatul" revine in forta - AutoMarket automarket.ro
  18. Renault Symbol: plus chic? autoplus.fr
  19. Renault Supercinq — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  20. Renault Clio I — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  21. Renault Clio II — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  22. Тест Renault Symbol, Daewoo Nexia. "СИМВОЛ"-"НЕКСИЯ": ПЕРВЫЙ РАУНД zr.ru
  23. Renault Symbol 1.5 dizel test sürüşü: 2013 Renault Symbol 1.5 dCi otomobil.com.tr
  24. Lowe/SSPM lanza nueva campaña para Renault - PRODU produ.com
  25. Yeni Fluence ve Yeni Symbol İstanbul Auto Show’da tasimacilar.com
  26. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez ahr.mx
  27. Renault Symbol (2002–2009): Чисто символически zr.ru
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoreview.ru
  • carbodydesign.com
  • autoo.com.br
  • webwire.com
  • media.renaultgroup.com
  • algerie360.com
  • autoportal.ua
  • zr.ru
  • auto.ro
  • automotivebusiness.com.br
  • otomobil.com.tr
  • aracbulten.com
  • 16valvulas.com.ar

Photo credits

Other car files