Renault’s Boreal: A New Name for a Familiar Model

Renault has unveiled a new model, the Boreal, whose only real novelty lies in its name—borrowed from the North Wind god. In truth, it’s a rebadged Dacia Bigster in disguise, tasked with embodying Renault’s latest design language. Europeans won’t be seeing it anytime soon, as the Bigster already fills that niche here and few would see the point of selling the same car under a different name.

Set to be sold in over 70 countries, the Boreal will be built in Brazil and Turkey—an odd choice, perhaps, but one Renault is sticking with. It comes equipped with a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine capable of delivering up to 163 horsepower.

Let’s be honest: the exterior is more confusing than captivating. The front end is an arrangement of light signatures and grille patterns. The hood has some sculpted lines, though what they actually contribute remains unclear. The rear, meanwhile, plays it safe with a “classic” design sensibility, perhaps out of habit. A black roof with a panoramic sunroof, plastic body cladding, and 19-inch wheels tick all the expected boxes.

Inside, the Boreal offers two 10-inch screens and built-in Google services to keep the tech-savvy feeling right at home. Electrically adjustable seats, a ten-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and ambient lighting in 48 colors round out the comforts.

Under the hood sits the same 1.3-liter engine found in other Renault models, with output ranging from 138 to 163 horsepower depending on where it's built. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 9.3 seconds—hardly thrilling, but enough for a relaxed urban commute.

Production out of Brazil will serve 17 South American markets, while the Turkish-built models are destined for 54 regions, including Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Series production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025.