Renault refreshed the model 21 lineup in 1989, marking a mid-life cycle refresh for the mid-size vehicle.
The French carmaker revealed the model 21 in late 1985 and refreshed the lineup just three years later. It sold it also on the North American continent badged as Eagle Medallion, but only in the three-box sedan version. For other countries, it produced it as a liftback version as well. Thus, it was halfway between the sedan and the station wagon version.

The 21 featured a different front fascia. Its edges were shaved and made rounder, while the upgraded headlights got wider. In addition, Renault installed a body-colored wrapped around bumper instead of the black one used before. Like its three-box sedan sibling, the hatchback featured an additional small side window behind the rear doors, but with a thicker D-pillar and a tailgate. The wide taillights sported a darkened lower side while the upper red area was connected with a red stripe that ran above the license plate.

Inside, the 21 featured a new dashboard. It was still wedged-shaped, but its instrument cluster was taller than the rest of the dash panel. On the upper side of the center stack, the carmaker placed the stereo, while on the lower side, under a set of center vents, it installed the climate control sliders. The hatchback version featured a folding seatback for the rear seats, which expanded the trunk from 420 liters (14.8 cu-ft) to 1,290 liters (45.6 cu-ft).

Under the hood, Renault played an expensive card of longitudinal and transverse-mounted engines. Power ranged between 65 hp and 162 hp, and there was a new, 1.9-liter diesel unit.