History's Best Selling Vehicles of 1990

Hats off to 1990! Few vehicles commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Renault Clio. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Saturn S-Series and Hyundai Elantra, consumers eagerly embraced the radical 90s attitude and millennium anticipation. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Renault and Saturn set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that flew off store shelves and cemented lifelong fandoms. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Renault Clio

   Released in 1990 by Renault

   On June 1, 1990, Renault officially launched the Clio in its home market of France, signaling a pivotal moment for the brand and the supermini class. This date marked the end of the line for the iconic but aging Renault 5, and the beginning of a new chapter defined by sophistication, quality, and a new naming strategy. The Clio was developed to bring 'big car' refinement to the small car segment, a philosophy perfectly encapsulated by its French launch slogan, 'Elle a tout d'une grande' ('It has everything of a big one'). Its arrival redefined customer expectations for what an affordable compact hatchback could offer, setting the stage for its decades-long success.

2. Saturn S-Series

   Released in 1990 by Saturn

   On July 30, 1990, a new era for General Motors began as the very first production Saturn car, a metallic red 1991 SL2 sedan, rolled off the assembly line. The event took place at the brand-new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with GM Chairman Roger B. Smith and UAW President Owen Bieber at the wheel. This moment was the culmination of the ambitious 'Saturn Project,' an $8 billion investment to create a 'different kind of company' and a 'different kind of car.' It was GM's direct answer to the wave of popular and reliable Japanese imports, representing a complete rethinking of design, manufacturing, labor relations, and the customer sales experience.

3. Hyundai Elantra

   Released in 1990 by Hyundai

   On October 1, 1990, Hyundai Motor Company officially launched the Elantra (J1) in its home market of South Korea, marking a pivotal moment for the ambitious automaker. Following the global success of the subcompact Excel, the Elantra represented Hyundai's determined entry into the highly competitive compact sedan segment, a space dominated by Japanese giants like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. This launch was not just about a new car; it was a statement of intent. The Elantra was engineered to prove Hyundai could build a larger, more refined vehicle that offered compelling value, aiming to capture a new class of buyers and continue its rapid expansion on the world stage.