Early this year, Mahindra launched the XUV 7XO with a slew of upgrades to amplify the success of the XUV700. And many believe that the XUV 7XO is a great all-round package. However, there is a new 7-seater SUV that has been spotted, which is aimed at giving the XUV 7XO a tough fight. So, does this upcoming SUV stand a chance against the popular Mahindra SUV? Let’s find out!
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Renault Duster 7-Seater SUV Spotted!
To challenge the success of the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Renault is working on a new 7-seater SUV, and it has been spotted testing in India. Spotted in Chennai, the upcoming Renault SUV looks massive and demands great road presence. Last year, Renault announced the name of this 7-seater SUV – Boreal. This Renault Boreal will essentially be based on the Duster platform with more room for an additional row. This SUV was spotted in India for the first time, giving us a glimpse of the sheer size and road presence of the Boreal. Speaking of which, let’s discuss more about how this 7-seater SUV would look!
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Design
Renault officially unveiled the Boreal in July 2025, giving us a peek into the brand’s design prowess. But what does the India-bound model look like? Well, the spy shots show a heavily camouflaged test mule. However, we could still observe a few design elements. The test mule had identical wheels to the Boreal showcased last year, leading us to believe that it is the same SUV. Design elements like a roof-mounted spoiler, roof rails, connected LED DRLs, and aggressive bumper design elements can be seen on the test mule. The images also show an ADAS camera module, confirming the possibility of the SUV getting Level 2 ADAS, like the Duster. By the triangular impression near the rear taillights, it is possible that it will get a similar taillight design as the recently unveiled Duster.
From the images of the SUV revealed last year, the Boreal has a very unique design. Somehow, the overall silhouette of the SUV is a bit boxy, but the design elements like the grille, bumpers, creases, and more seem quite sharp and angular. The overall design language is quite bold and unique, giving the SUV its own unique character. However, we believe the India-spec Boreal may closely resemble the new Duster.
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Renault Duster 7-Seater SUV – Features
We Indians love features, and Renault is unlikely to disappoint us there. The recently unveiled Duster gets all the essential features that we expect, and the Boreal may borrow most of them. We can expect to see features like a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Level 2 ADAS, powered and ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, a panoramic sunroof and much more. We could get to see additional features like seat ventilation in the middle row, boss mode, and a few more.
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Powertrain & Launch
The French carmaker decided to go all-in with the Duster by offering 3 powertrains with the Duster – a 1.0-litre turbo petrol (102bhp & 160Nm), a 1.3-litre turbo petrol (160bhp & 280Nm) and a 1.8-litre petrol hybrid engine (163bhp & 172Nm). It is safe to say that the upcoming 7-seater SUV could feature the same engine options. However, Renault may change the state of tune of the engines specifically for the bigger SUV. While Renault has not revealed much about the Boreal, we can expect it to be unveiled by the end of 2026, and the prices could be unveiled in early 2027. Pricing-wise, Renault may price the Boreal between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 28 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). It will be interesting to see how the Boreal fares against the likes of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and the Tata Safari!
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Hi, I’m Ravindra Meena , a bike and automobile enthusiast. I share honest reviews, mileage tests, and latest updates about bikes, cars, and EVs to help you make the right choice. Stay connected for real-world insights and trending auto news! 🏍️🚗