Renault has announced that its 7-seater Duster will be called Boreal. The long SUV is likely to have hybrid powertrain options and is due in our market by 2026 to appeal to families on the lookout for something larger than the regular 5-seat Duster.
The French car maker has been testing the camouflaged SUV on Indian roads, hinting at some serious intentions in the domestic market. This makes it Renault’s aggressive entry into the hotly contested 7-seater SUV space in India, going up against the likes of the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and Hyundai Alcazar.
Bigger Dimensions, Stretched Platform
The Boreal Renault is built on the familiar CMF-B platform, just like the 5-seat Duster. Speculated dimensions are similar to the European Dacia Bigster (4,570mm length, 1,810mm width, 1,710mm height and 2,700mm wheelbase).
This significant increase in size over the regular Duster has led to the space needed for the critical third row. It keeps the Duster’s robust design DNA supplemented by LED DRLs, muscular wheel arch cladding, roof rails and B-pillar mounted rear door handles.
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Hybrid Powertrain Takes Center Stage
The Boreal will set the Duster range to receive Renault’s powerful hybrid technology. The system is mated to a 1.4kWh battery pack and a petrol engine and 51bhp electric motor-starter generator.
Combined power figures here are 108bhp to 155bhp so it’s marginally more powerful than the 5-seater. It’s got both manual or auto tranny options, for various Indian tastes.
Base models are likely to come with a non-turbocharged petrol engine and the pricier models unique hybrid power. This plan effectively makes the Boreal Renault’s tech flagship in India.
Premium Features for Family Appeal
The 7-seat Duster is crammed with modern conveniences aimed at family customers. Key features include:
- 10.1-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system
- 10-inch digital driver display
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Panoramic sunroof
- Wireless charging pad
- 6-speaker Arkamys sound system
Safety gear meets high standards with 6 airbags, ISOFIX child anchor points and a full suite of ADAS. High-tech driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and driver fatigue monitoring.
India Launch Date and Market Impact
Though Boreal is set to make its global debut on July 10, Indian consumers will only be able to enjoy the SUV in 2026. The five-seater third-gen Duster debuts in Q1 of 2026, with the seven-seater following soon after.
The SUV will be tailored for local tastes and conditions from Renault’s Chennai design center. The popular Duster nameplate could also be maintained in India despite being shelved globally to bring in the Boreal branding, considering that it has good brand value here.
Anticipated pricing is expected to keep this 7-seat Duster competitive with key rivals, but no pricing details have been announced just yet. Expect the hybrid powertrain and premium kit to come at a decent premium over the standard Duster which currently retails at ₹8.49-14.25 lakh.
Strategic Importance for Renault India
The Boreal is Renault’s way of showing that they are committed to the Indian market after suffering several years running of losses. The 7-seater segment just keeps growing as families look to larger cars for more space and practicality.
Should it find success, this could be a second wind for Renault’s India operations, lending showroom footfalls and brand prestige. The hybrid tech also puts Renault ahead of times in an India that is inching towards electrification.