Renault’s upcoming 7-seater SUV, possibly named the Bigster or Boreal, has been spied testing in India for the first time. Expected to launch in early 2026, the SUV will feature petrol and hybrid powertrains, Level 2 ADAS, and a bold new design.
Renault’s upcoming 7-seater SUV has been spotted testing in India for the first time, ahead of its expected launch in the first half of 2026. The SUV, widely believed to be called either the Renault Boreal or Bigster, is based on the third-generation Duster platform and could carry forward the popular Duster branding in India.
The new spy video, posted by driftxp_, shows a heavily camouflaged test mule with temporary Tamil Nadu registration plates. The SUV appears to be a longer version of the 5-seater Duster and resembles the Dacia Bigster sold in Europe. It features design elements like chunky roof rails, flared wheel arches, thick body cladding, a rear roof spoiler, and large 18-inch alloy wheels.
Up front, the SUV is expected to share styling cues with the new Duster, including LED DRLs, a large Renault grille with a bold badge, and a rugged bumper. The side profile reveals a proper SUV stance with high ground clearance and large glass windows.
Inside, the upcoming 7-seater Duster is likely to offer modern features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, auto headlamps, and dual-zone climate control. Safety kit could include Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, ESC, and hill hold and descent control.
Initially, the India-spec model is expected to be powered by a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 151 bhp, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Renault is also considering a hybrid version for a later date, while an electric Duster with AWD is reportedly in development.
The global Dacia Bigster, which this 7-seater is based on, will make its debut on July 10, 2025. In Europe, the SUV is offered with a variety of powertrains including a 1.2L mild-hybrid (TCe 140), a TCe 130 4×4 variant, and a Hybrid 155 setup combining a petrol engine with two electric motors and a small battery. The hybrid variant delivers 155 hp and 170 Nm and can run in electric mode for up to 80% of city driving.
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Internationally, the Bigster also gets premium features like 19-inch wheels, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, seven-inch digital cluster, flat-bottom steering, and a boot capacity of 667 litres with all seats up. It also uses eco-friendly materials like recycled polypropylene for exterior cladding.
With local testing now underway, the new 7-seater Renault SUV is expected to be tailored to Indian conditions while leveraging the Bigster’s design and architecture. Production for the new-gen 5-seater Duster is scheduled to begin around September–October 2025, with its launch planned for early 2026. The 7-seater will likely follow soon after.
