Vauxhall Frontera revealed as ‘affordable’ electric SUV
Vauxhall has uncovered its Crossland successor, reviving the Frontera nameplate for a budget-friendly family-focused SUV.
It lands later this year in both battery electric and petrol mild hybrid variants and is expected to sit under the Mokka in terms of pricing. The next-generation Grandland will arrive shortly after, including in all-electric guise, cementing Vauxhall’s promise that all its cars and vans will be available with a fully electric version by the end of 2024.
It’s expected to get the same value-driven Smart Car platform as the new Citroën ë-C3 and C3 Aircross – and Vauxhall has said the new model will continue the brand’s “tradition of bringing affordable mobility to a wide range of customers by being offered at an attractive price”.
Larger than the current Crossland, it will also provide “a high level of space and versatility”, intended to attract “customers with an active lifestyle and families alike” and aimed at both urban and sub-urban settings.
The Frontera gets a chunky design based on Vauxhall’s bold and pure design philosophy and including the brand’s black Vizor face with the central Vauxhall griffin logo and integrating Eco LED headlamps with automatic high beam.
Alongside a “very bold and tough, but modern and expressive look”, the Frontera will also deliver an upright front silhouette that provides a functional and spacious cabin. Boot space stands at over 460 litres and this increases up to 1,600 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down. A second load floor comes as standard while optional roof rails enable a load of more than 200kg.
The cabin features the brand’s fully digital Pure Panel cockpit with two 10-inch displays and a multimedia infotainment system, plus a string of smart solutions such as a cooled wireless charger and two USB ports in the front, and a further two USB ports in the second row. The centre console comes with a flexible strap to hold larger items in place, while open storage areas get a rubber lining to keep things secure. There’s also a special ergonomic design for the front seats, which also have integrated smartphone pockets to the rear. Vauxhall hasn’t confirmed if seven-seat versions will be available.
Powertrain line-up will include battery-electric version and 48V petrol mild hybrid powertrains – there’s no word yet on specific specifications.
The original Frontera launched in 1991 as a rebadged version of the Isuzu MU and was built in Luton for 13 years until it was discontinued in 2004.
James Taylor, managing director, Vauxhall, said: “With its combination of rugged design, spaciousness, clever solutions and efficient powertrains, our new Vauxhall Frontera will appeal to a wide range of customers who want to stand out from the crowd. It is ideally suited to the urban and sub-urban environment with a fully electric version available from launch.”