Renault Boreal SUV arrives in Egypt, from EGP 1.47 million

Renault has launched the Boreal in Egypt, a five-seat family SUV that sits above the brand's smaller crossovers and goes up against the busy compact SUV class, where most buyers in Cairo now shop. It comes in three trims, Evolution, Techno and Iconic, and Masrawy reported prices of EGP 1,470,000, EGP 1,570,000 and EGP 1,690,000 respectively.

Every version uses the same engine: a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 150 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a six-speed wet dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. The quoted top speed is 180 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h takes 9.6 seconds, and the stated fuel use is 5.7 to 8.2 litres per 100 km from a 50-litre tank.

The Boreal is 4,556 mm long with a 2,701 mm wheelbase, and Renault Egypt makes a point of its 222 mm ground clearance, high for this class and useful on unfinished roads in the new cities. The boot holds 586 litres, rising to 1,770 litres with the 60/40 rear bench folded. Inside, all trims get a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Google built in (Maps, Assistant and apps from Google Play), plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents and four USB-C ports.

The two upper trims add a 10.1-inch digital instrument screen and ambient lighting with 48 colours. The top Iconic version brings a black roof, a powered panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, a driver's seat with memory and massage, and a ten-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. On safety, six airbags, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition and front and rear parking sensors are standard; Techno adds blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, and Iconic adds lane keeping, a 360-degree camera and automatic parking.

The arrival comes in a month when car prices in Egypt have kept climbing, with several brands raising list prices again, so a new European SUV starting under EGP 1.5 million gives families another option in a crowded price band.

If you are shopping for a family SUV, the Boreal can be seen and test-driven at Renault's dealers in Egypt; the brand's Egyptian website, renault.com.eg, lists the network, a test-drive request and a quotation form. Ask the dealer for the final price and delivery date before you pay a deposit, since prices in the market have been moving week to week.