2026 (75/26) Vauxhall Frontera 1.2 Hybrid [136] GS 5dr e-DCT6

Vauxhall hopes this new kind of Frontera SUV will appeal to small families. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Vauxhall reinvents its Frontera for a new era - with a little help from Citroen. There's plenty of powertrain electrification, potential seating for up to seven and quite a lot more attitude than any previous Vauxhall SUV. If you've never considered one of the brand's small crossovers before, there's just a chance you might like this one.

Background

So: Vauxhall's new era Frontera. There's lots to get used to here. First the fact that it's replacing the brand's previous entry-level SUV (the Crossland) but isn't the brand's smallest SUV (size-wise, the Frontera slots in between the Mokka and the Grandland). Second, this is the first Vauxhall SUV with the potential for up to seven seats. And third, there's the curiosity that the Griffin brand would want to bring back the name of a turn-of-the-century model it sold that had possibly the worst build quality and reliability of any SUV made in that period. But of course Vauxhalls are very different now, always sharing the engineering of models from fellow Stellantis Group brands, in this case primarily Citroen and Fiat. The Frontera is based primarily on the second generation Citroen C3 Aircross, which means that as well as that third seating row option, it can offer the choice of either Hybrid or EV drivetrains. It's certainly a much more practical family wagon than the old Crossland. And a very different kind of Frontera.

Driving Experience

The Vauxhall / Opel engineers designed the Frontera primarily around an EV drivetrain, so that's what we chose to try. Unlike with Stellantis battery-powered models built on the fractionally larger EMP2 platform (like Vauxhall's Mokka Electric), this set-up doesn't come with selectable drive modes - there isn't even an 'Eco' button, which will be a relief if, like us, this is the sort of thing you're always forgetting to engage on EVs. There aren't any brake regen settings either - except a rather counter-intuitive one; this 'C' (for 'Comfort') setting on the gear selector. Curiously, this provides less brake regen (0.8m/s) rather than more (ordinary 'D' gives you 1.2m/s). The electric drivetrain comes in two flavours. We tried it with the base 44kWh battery, a rather small package of cells for a lower-order compact family car which, predictably, returns a very modest range figure of 186 miles that we got nowhere near during our time with this car. If that's a problem and you still want a Frontera Electric, then you'll have to find quite a slug more for a version with the larger 54kWh battery, which boosts range up to a more usable 253 miles between charges. Both variants use the same 113PS front-mounted motor, which you might hope in a relatively light little EV would make performance feel quite sprightly, even though pulling power is limited to a modest 124Nm. It doesn't. The alternative Hybrid combustion drivetrain is actually technically a mild hybrid, but this Stellantis-sourced unit can do quite a lot of things a full-Hybrid drivetrain would be able to do - like function on battery power alone for low-speed manoeuvring; in fact, Vauxhall claims up to 50% of urban driving could theoretically be done without troubling the 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol turbo engine, which is paired with a 28hp 48V motor built into a clever 6-speed dual clutch e-DCT6 auto gearbox. There are two versions of this unit; one offers 110PS with 205Nm of torque and makes 62mph in 11s en route to 112mph. the other offers 145PS with 230Nm of torque, makes 62mph in 9s and maxes out at 118mph. So the performance of a Hybrid Frontera can be quite different from an Electric one. Unfortunately, the same can be said of ride quality, which is noticeably firmer and more fidgety and unsettled with the Hybrid

Design and Build

The Frontera, we're told, offers 'a new interpretation' of Vauxhall's 'bold and pure' design philosophy. Where the previous Crossland model was very much a crossover, this looks more of a robust SUV, with a taller stance, prominent wheel arches and sills and quite an eye-catching C-pillar. The 4,380mm length is a substantial 1,68mm longer than the Crossland and positions the car neatly between the Mokka (4,151mm) and the second generation Grandland (4,650mm) in Vauxhall's refreshed SUV line-up. The nose has the brand's usual 'Vizor' LED light and grille arrangement and the split tail light design further differentiates the car from its mechanically-identical Citroen C3 Aircross Stellantis Group cousin. Inside, there's what Vauxhall describes as 'a clean, detoxed user experience', which doesn't sound very appealing but does at least include climate controls separated from the centre screen (a brand design difference from its French cousins). That monitor is part of the company's usual 'Pure Panel' cockpit arrangement made up of two 10-inch displays, the other for the instruments viewed through the freshly designed steering wheel. Lots of user-friendly cabin touches feature, including a centre console that can swallow a tablet and hold it in place with a flexible strap. Ahead of the small gear shifter is a wireless charging mat. And from plusher 'GS' trim, the patented 'Intelli-Seats' have sustainable fabrics and a slot in the middle that relieves pressure on the tail bone. The second row can't comfortably seat much more than two adults, but it's also practical with two USB ports and smartphone pockets in the front seatbacks. Third row seating costs extra, is only available as an option on the Hybrid versions if you avoid base trim and is strictly for small children. Out back with the conventional seating format, there's a 460-litre boot with both powertrains (actually only 50-litres more than the previous much smaller Crossland) with a split cargo floor. Fold the rear bench and this extends to 1594-litres (more than an Astra Sports Tourer Electric).

Market and Model

Thanks to the government's Electric Car Grant, Frontera Electric prices undercut those of the combustion model significantly. With the £1,500 ECG deducted, the EV version starts from around £22,500 in base 44kWh form - though (even with grant deducted) you'll need around £26,000 for the longer-ranging 54kWh version you'd probably rather have. The alternative combustion Hybrid model starts from around £25,000 in base 110PS form; you'll need around £1,500 more for the perkier 145PS version. Whatever powertrain you choose, there's a choice of three trim levels - 'Design', 'GS' or 'Ultimate'. You'll need a Hybrid model with 'GS' trim if you want the chance to be able to pay extra for the optional seven-seat configuration with two-way adjustable headrests and a 'fold and tumble' seat mechanism that provides easy access to the third row. At 'GS' level, there's also an optional 'Comfort Pack' which provides extra convenience with heated seats, a heated windscreen, roof rails and a heated steering wheel. All versions are reasonably well equipped. Entry-level 'Design' models offer 16-inch black steel wheels with wheel arch cladding and automatic headlights and wipers, along with black grained bumpers. Customers can also choose an optional white roof that comes with 16-inch white steel wheels. 'Design' models also come with a suite of driver assistance features as standard, including rear parking sensors, a rear-view parking camera, cruise control with speed limiter, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and driver attention alert. Plusher 'GS' models come with aerodynamic 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and a silver skid plate. GS variants also feature a black roof with tinted rear windows and LED taillights, along with power folding mirrors. Plus there's electronic climate control and Intelli-Seat front seats with a specific cushion design incorporating a slot that relieves pressure on the tailbone. 'GS' models additionally come with front parking sensors to provide further peace of mind when manoeuvring, as well as blind spot alert and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. Top 'Ultimate' models add heat for the windscreen, front seats and steering wheel, high-gloss black roof rails and front LED fog lamps. For those who want to spend the night outdoors, the Frontera can be ordered with optional roof rails and a roof tent with ladder specially designed for the SUV. After arriving at its destination, the car can shoulder up to 240 kilogrammes on its roof.

Cost of Ownership

Small SUVs can't be as efficient as the superminis they're based upon: extra weight and bluffer aerodynamics put paid to that. This Frontera is no exception to that rule, in terms of weight tipping the scales at about 100 kilograms more than a similarly-engineered Vauxhall Corsa. That exacts a penalty of about 10% on the fuel and CO2 emissions figures you can expect - which is a premium that we expect most potential owners will be quite happy to pay in return for the extra fashionability of running a car of this kind. It's worth pointing out though, that the inherent lightness of that standard Corsa means that this SUV model's extra weight doesn't leave it as being a particularly heavy car. And the result should be a very efficient set of running costs. For the Hybrid variants, you can expect 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and the CO2 reading is quoted at 119g/km. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, Vauxhall claims that the Frontera Electric is in standard form capable of covering 186 of range (or 248 miles in 'Long Range' form). Both variants rapid charge at rates of up to 100kW, which allows for a 20-80% charge in 26 minutes. At home, you'll be able to AC charge from 20-80% from 7.4kW garage wall box in just over 4 hours. If your property has a three-phase supply, you'll also be able to charge at 11kW, in which case the 20-80% charging time will fall to just under 3 hours. All versions of this model will be covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus the battery will have its own eight year cover package.

Summary

This car might have a familiar name but for Vauxhall SUV customers, there will be little else that's familiar about it. Unless they happen to have tried a second generation Citroen C3 Aircross, which essentially is a Gallic version of the same thing. The Frontera though, has a bit more attitude, possibly the only attribute it shares with the disappointing turn-of-the-century Vauxhall SUV of the same name. Twenty years ago, this car probably would have been designed as an MPV - and would have been a little more practical as a result. But there's still a lot of the versatility many family customers might need. From a Vauxhall that would probably be an ideal family second car, especially if you ordered it in Hybrid form with seven seats. It's a pity this EV version can't offer the same feature, but we're impressed that the Griffin brand has managed (albeit with the aid of a government grant) to make it so much cheaper than the rougher-riding Hybrid version. Whatever drivetrain you have in mind, if practicality is all you really need from a car like this, then this Vauxhall's general lack of charisma and rather spartan cabin might not matter much. And if you're suburban-based, you might not even care too much about this volume Electric version's rather restricted driving range. But there's an awful lot of competition in this segment, so the deal on offer here is going to need to be right.