Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
13 comments 
With a 1.3 Turbo Engine of 170 hp and a Dual-Clutch Transmission, the New Renault SUV Will Be a Mid-Size 5-Seater SUV to Challenge the Jeep Compass and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Renault is preparing one of its most important launches in recent decades in Brazil: the new Renault SUV. Contrary to what the market expected, it will not be called Bigster, but rather Renault Boreal. And the surprise does not stop at the name: instead of a 7-seater SUV to compete with the Spin, Renault aims higher, positioning the Boreal as a sophisticated mid-size 5-seater SUV to challenge the segment leaders, Jeep Compass and Toyota Corolla Cross.
With domestic production in São José dos Pinhais (PR) and a launch expected between the second half of 2025 and early 2026, the Boreal is the centerpiece of the brand’s new strategy. The goal is clear: to elevate Renault’s image in the country by offering a more technological, powerful, and refined product.
Boreal, Not Bigster: The Official Name and Renault’s New Strategy for Brazil
Although the project originated from the Dacia Bigster concept, the Brazilian version will have its own identity and will be called Boreal. This new Renault SUV is the main pillar of the “International Game Plan 2027,” a plan for R$ 5.1 billion in investments by the brand in Brazil.
-
Attracting around 250,000 people a year, a lighthouse 200 meters from the sea, on a 60-meter high cliff, on the North Sea coast in Denmark, becomes one of the most impressive examples of how nature can threaten historical buildings.
-
The narrowest house in the world is only 63 centimeters wide, but inside it can accommodate a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, office, and even two staircases.
-
In the middle of the sea, these enormous concrete and steel structures, built by the British Navy to protect strategic maritime routes, look like they came straight out of a Star Wars movie.
-
5 cheapest used cars than a Honda CG 160 Titan 0 km, with options starting at R$ 13,000 for those who want to trade their motorcycle for a car and escape the rain, sun, and risks of riding.
The objective is clear: to move Renault out of the popular car segment and position it to compete effectively in the more expensive and profitable segments. The Boreal is the spearhead of this offensive, with the mission of attracting consumers who seek more sophistication, technology, and design.
1.3 Turbo Engine of 170 hp with Dual-Clutch Transmission: The Mechanics of the New Renault SUV
The heart of the Boreal will be the already known and praised 1.3 TCe Turbo Flex engine, developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz. It delivers 170 hp of power and a robust torque of 27.5 kgf.m at just 1,600 rpm, promising agility and vigorous acceleration.
The major news will be in the transmission. Unlike the Duster, which uses a CVT, the new Renault SUV will be equipped with a dual-clutch automated gearbox with six speeds. This choice is a declaration of intent. Renault signals that the Boreal will not only be a comfortable SUV, but a car with a sporty touch for those who enjoy driving, offering quicker gear shifts and a more engaging driving experience.
5 Seats and Giant Trunk: Why the Focus Is Not on 7 Seats?
Despite initial speculations, the Renault Boreal will be launched exclusively with five seats. The decision is strategic: instead of entering the fray of 7-seater vehicles, focused on cost-benefit, like the Chevrolet Spin, Renault aimed at the heart of the mid-size SUV market.
To compete with the Compass and Corolla Cross, the focus is on quality, design, and comfort. A third row of seats would compromise these attributes, increasing weight and reducing trunk space. With 5 seats, the new Renault SUV will be able to offer superior comfort for passengers and a trunk designed to exceed 660 liters, one of the largest in the category.
The Fight with the Leaders: How the New Renault SUV Will Face the Compass and Corolla Cross
The Boreal will arrive in one of the most competitive segments of the market. To steal sales from the Jeep Compass, Toyota Corolla Cross, and VW Taos, the Boreal cannot be just ‘good’; it needs to be better in key areas. The strategy of the new Renault SUV relies on three main strengths:
Performance and Dynamics: the combination of the 1.3 TCe engine with the dual-clutch transmission has the potential to offer the sportiest driving of the segment.
Space and Practicality: with about 4.57 meters in length and a giant trunk, the Boreal is expected to stand out as the most versatile option for families.
Technology and Safety: Renault’s strategy includes offering a complete package of driving assistance (ADAS), such as emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, as standard in all versions, an important differentiator against rivals.
The biggest challenge, however, will be building a premium brand image and convincing consumers to switch from already well-established names.
Launch and the Future 4×4 Hybrid of the Boreal
The new Renault SUV is in its final testing phase, with a launch expected in the second half of 2025 or, at the latest, early 2026.
The modern platform of the Boreal, called RGMP, has already been designed with electrification in mind. Renault has confirmed that, at a later stage, the model will receive a 48V mild-hybrid version with 4×4 traction. The system will be innovative: instead of a heavy driveshaft, an electric motor will be installed on the rear axle to provide 4×4 traction (known as e-AWD), a solution that saves weight and improves fuel efficiency.
Agora sem o Luca de Mel, sem Pedrucci, sem Gondo entre outros que saíram na semana de lançamento, quero ver que destino terá a Renault, Ou a futura Cheely …
Um viva aos chineses. Retrovisor sem crepuscular? Carregador por indução? Porta-luvas refrigerado? Quero nem ver as “versões para o BR, KKĶ SEM TWTO, SEM ADAS, RODA 18 KKK
Portas com acabamento em plástico? Afff.