Renault reveals new Bigster SUV – and it could be coming to South Africa

Renault sister brand Dacia has officially unwrapped the new Bigster after years of leaks and teasers, acting as the French marque’s newest entry into the mid-size SUV segment.

The Bigster sits on the same CMF-B foundation as the new-generation Duster and it aims to make “C-SUV performance affordable once again,” said the automaker.

TopAuto got in touch with the local arm of Renault with inquiries surrounding the South African availability of the new Bigster, with the company confirming that it is currently studying the feasibility of launching the SUV in our market but that nothing is set in stone just yet.

“The Bigster is being considered and will be addressed for local launch,” read the official statement.

It’s quite likely that the Bigster will eventually show up on South African roads, considering Renault doesn’t have an equivalent product on the market at the moment.

There’s a rather sizeable gap of R223,000 between the current Duster and flagship Koleos, with the space between the two being a popular price bracket for SUV buyers in South Africa. Up to the reveal of the Bigster, Renault did not have something it could plug this hole with, but it does now.

Likewise, the Bigster sits almost bang in the middle of the Duster and Koleos in terms of its dimensions and offers a rugged design that is not generally found in this segment, both aspects that will undoubtedly appeal to local consumers.

Records from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission also show that Renault applied to trademark the Bigster name in South Africa on 30 May 2024, with the application currently pending approval.

Bigster breakdown

Compared to the Duster, the new Bigster boasts a 230mm longer body and a wheelbase stretched by 43mm, with the SUV measuring 4.57m in length, 1.81m in width, and 1.71m in height with a 2.7m wheelbase and 220mm of ground clearance.

It wears a similar design language to its stablemate underscored by Y-shaped LED lights at the front and rear, squared-off angles, front and rear skidplates, a combination of gloss- and matte-black finishes, and fashionable 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels.

A fresh body colour also makes its debut on the newcomer namely Indigo Blue, which is exclusive to the Bigster for the time being.

Courtesy of its larger overall dimensions the Bigster offers a boot capacity of sizeable 667 litres under the parcel shelf, versus an already impressive 478 litres on the Duster.

The interior design of the new Renault is dominated by horizontal and vertical creases to enforce its hardy persona, and it features a high-mounted vertical dashboard to increase room for front passengers.

Atop the dash sits a 10.1-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which is standard on all variants, and, depending on the model, driver info is delivered via either a 7- or 10-inch digital instrument cluster.

The higher-tier variants additionally come with a high centre console between the front seats incorporating a cooled armrest, large storage area, and wireless smartphone charger.

Depending on which Bigster they end up going for, buyers can also expect niceties such as keyless entry and start, washable Microcloud upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a 1.2m panoramic sunroof, a six-speaker Arkamys sound system, adaptive cruise control, and an electric tailgate.

The entire range is furthermore delivered with an array of driving aids such as advanced emergency braking, traffic sign recognition with speed alert, rear parking sensors, lane-change alert, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention warning.

Its final party trick, the Bigster supports the YouClip accessories system. YouClip anchor points can be used for a tablet holder, storage pouch, phone holder, coat hanger, or a “3-in-1” device combining a cup holder, bag hook, and portable flashlight.

In Europe, the Bigster is available with four powertrains comprising three mild-hybrids and one traditional hybrid.

The mild-hybrid consists of a 1.2-litre petrol engine combined with a 48-volt starter generator and 0.8kWh battery pack, which is sold in front-wheel drive (FWD) and 4×4.

There’s also a dual-fuel FWD model featuring the same setup that is tuned to run on both petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and achieve a maximum driving range of 1,450km before needing a refill.

At the top of the line-up sits the traditional hybrid that marries the petrol mill with two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery.

Dacia has yet to disclose the performance statistics of these electrified drivelines, only stating that they will deliver “best-in-class efficiency.”

Should the Bigster make a South African debut, its local specifications and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Dacia Bigster