Renault Teases Upcoming Boreal SUV Ahead of Global Debut, Likely Based on Dacia Bigster

Renault has confirmed the launch of a new compact crossover, the Boreal, as part of its broader push into emerging international markets. The new model, which will debut later this year, is slated to launch first in Latin America before expanding to more than 70 countries globally. The Boreal is part of the French automaker’s International Game Plan 2027, a strategy aimed at accelerating growth in key regions outside of Western Europe. 

While Renault has yet to reveal full details, the Boreal’s name — inspired by the aurora borealis — is intended to symbolise the SUV's blend of “technology, status, and comfort,” according to the company. A single teaser image, showing only a portion of the tailgate with the model’s nameplate and Renault’s corporate logo, accompanied the announcement. The badge sits just above the license plate recess and beneath the rear windshield — offering little insight into the vehicle’s design.

Official specifications and styling details remain under wraps, but industry observers speculate that the Boreal could be a rebadged version of the Dacia Bigster, the Romanian brand’s largest SUV offering. If so, it is expected that Renault may apply a series of design modifications to differentiate the Boreal from its Dacia counterpart. These may include redesigned front and rear bumpers, revised lighting elements, a unique grille, and subtle tweaks to the tailgate and trim.

The Bigster, unveiled as a concept in early 2021 and expected to go into production soon, shares its underpinnings with other Renault-Nissan group models via the CMF-B LS platform. This modular architecture also supports models such as the Dacia Duster, Sandero, Jogger, and Renault’s own Kardian — the latter being a rebadged Sandero sold in Brazil and Morocco.

In terms of powertrains, the Dacia Bigster is offered with a range of options in Europe, including a 1.2-litre turbocharged gasoline/LPG engine, a mild-hybrid setup, and a 1.8-litre hybrid rated at 152 bhp. However, the South American version of the Boreal may receive more cost-effective engines suited to regional demand and regulatory environments. A smaller, more affordable petrol engine variant is a likely candidate.

The Renault Boreal will join the Kardian in the South American lineup, expanding the company’s crossover portfolio in the region. Like the Kardian, which is manufactured at the São José dos Pinhais plant in Brazil and the Tangier facility in Morocco, the Boreal is expected to be assembled locally, aligning with Renault’s goal of increasing regional production and reducing reliance on imports.

The official unveiling is scheduled to take place in Brazil in the coming months, with pre-orders likely to follow shortly after. The Boreal is positioned as a key model in Renault’s global strategy to expand in cost-sensitive markets with vehicles that balance affordability, modern design, and core technology features.