MARKET ANALYSIS

5 (1972 to 1996)

AMAV$132,267↑

The Renault 5, manufactured globally across two iconic generations from 1972 until 1996, was the avant-garde supermini that transformed from a sensible "little friend" into a mid-engined, wide-bodied powerhouse that redefined rally performance. While the base models were front-wheel-drive city icons, the radical Turbo and Turbo 2 moved the engine behind the driver to create a rear-wheel-drive monster that famously conquered the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally on its debut with Jean Ragnotti at the helm. This giant-killing pedigree was further cemented during the high-stakes Group B era with the 350hp Maxi Turbo, which remained a dominant force on tarmac stages like the Tour de Corse even as the world shifted to all-wheel drive. In the 2026 Australian market, the Renault 5 remains a definitive underdog to its competitors, as the original petrol versions were never officially sold here, leaving the local buyer pool restricted to elite collectors who value its rare status as the "great-grandfather" of the modern hot hatch. Today, the car's legendary desirability has been reignited by the arrival of the all-electric Renault 5 E-Tech, which serves as a high-tech tribute to those rally-winning flame-spitters. Consequently, the market value of original Australian-imported Turbo survivors has reached blue-chip levels, as enthusiasts in 2026 increasingly recognise the R5 not just as a French economy car, but as a legitimate motorsport titan that successfully challenged the world's most expensive supercars on the dirt.