Renault Duster, the upcoming 7-seater SUV based on the Dacia Bigster, has scored a 3-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, ahead of its expected India launch in 2026.
As Renault gears up to launch the new-generation Duster in India later this year, attention is also on its upcoming three-row SUV, which could be named the Renault Boreal. This model, based on the Dacia Bigster, is expected to arrive in the Indian market by 2026. Ahead of its global rollout, the Dacia Bigster has undergone crash testing by Euro NCAP and has received a 3-star safety rating.
Adult Occupant
In adult occupant protection, the Bigster scored 27.7 out of 40 points, equating to 69%. During the frontal offset crash test, the passenger compartment remained stable. Good protection was recorded for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger. However, the driver’s chest protection was rated as weak.
In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection for both the driver and rear passenger was marked as marginal. The SUV performed well in the side barrier and side pole impact tests, offering good protection for all critical body areas. Whiplash protection was rated as good for both front and rear seat occupants. However, the absence of a far-side airbag led to a poor rating in far-side impact protection.
Child Occupant
For child occupant protection, the Bigster scored 42 out of 49 points, which is 85%. In both the frontal offset and side barrier tests, the SUV provided good protection to all critical body areas of child dummies. The Bigster includes a front passenger airbag cut-off switch, allowing the safe use of a rearward-facing child seat in the front. This system functioned as intended and gave clear warnings to the driver.
However, the SUV does not feature a dedicated child presence detection system, which led to a few point deductions in the safety assessment.
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Vulnerable Road Users
Vulnerable road user protection was rated at 60%, with a score of 38.2 out of 63 points. Head protection for pedestrians was mostly good, although areas near the windscreen base and A-pillars showed weaker results. Protection to the pelvis was rated poor, while femur protection was good. The knees and tibia showed mixed results.
The Bigster’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system worked effectively for both pedestrians and cyclists. However, the SUV lacks a dooring alert system that warns of approaching cyclists when doors are opened.
Safety Assist
In the safety assist category, the Bigster scored 10.3 out of 18 points, or 57%. It is equipped with several essential systems, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, driver fatigue alert, lane keep assist, speed limiter, and seatbelt reminder systems. All of these features performed as expected during the tests.
However, the absence of a rear seat occupant detection system affected the final score. Despite this, the SUV includes an advanced eCall system that automatically contacts emergency services in the event of a crash. The doors are also designed to remain operable in situations like vehicle submergence.
Safety Equipment
The Dacia Bigster, which is expected to be rebadged as the Renault Boreal in select markets, comes equipped with the following safety features:
- Six airbags
- Front passenger airbag deactivation switch
- Isofix child seat anchor points
- Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Lane assist and speed limiter
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Advanced eCall emergency notification system
While the Dacia Bigster is sold as a 5-seater SUV in Europe, the version heading to markets like India is expected to come in a 7-seat layout under the Renault brand, possibly named Boreal. Renault has confirmed that both the new-generation Duster and its larger sibling will be introduced in India starting in 2026. The Boreal is also expected to have a Nissan-badged counterpart.
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