Vauxhall's new-era Frontera has been designed around EV power. Jonathan Crouch drives it.
Ten Second Review
With this Frontera Electric, the Griffin brand brings you a small electric Vauxhall that really could be used as a second family car. In the kind of way a Corsa Electric probably never could. The engineering here is shared with a Citroen e-C3 Aircross but delivered with a very Vauxhall vibe.
Background
If you can remember the crude turn-of-the-century Vauxhall Frontera SUV, you might find the concept of a 'Frontera'-badged electric crossover a curious one. But the modern-era Frontera model line is a very different proposition, developed as the Vauxhall version of the second generation Citroen C3 Aircross - or, as in this case, the e-C3 Aircross.
The mainstream EV drivetrain here includes the smallest battery pack available from the Stellantis Group parts bin, but if you're only looking for a second family car for suburban duties, that might not matter much. What'll matter much more is that, impressively, Vauxhall has managed to put this Frontera EV on sale for significantly less than the equivalent Hybrid version. At last, electric cars are getting more accessible.
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.
Apart from arthritic little EV citycars and a few big under-powered electric MPVs, we can't remember driving a battery-powered model with less zip, though the rest to 62mph time of 13 seconds will doubtless be quite sufficient for the suburban-based second car family owners at whom this Vauxhall is aimed. They'll need to be suburban-based because the maximum speed is just 88mph.
With this EV version, things are much calmer over bumpers than is the case with the combustion variant, though predictably not quite as calm as they would be with the clever 'Advanced Comfort shock absorber hydraulic bump stop' arrangement employed by this Vauxhall's otherwise identically-engineered Stellantis cousin model, the Citroen C3 Aircross. But it rides quite well and with this Frontera, there's less of a cornering body roll price to pay than that Aircross model exacts upon you for supple progress over poorer surfaces.
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 with 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 can't be had with the Electric models (it's only available as an option on plusher Hybrid versions) and is anyway strictly for small children. Out back, there's a 460-litre boot (the same as the Hybrid variant) with a split cargo floor. Fold the rear bench and this extends to 1,574-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.
Regardless of powertrain choice, there are three trim options - base 'Design', plusher 'GS' and top 'Ultimate'. You'll need a Hybrid model with 'GS' or 'Ultimate' trim if you want the chance to be able to pay extra for the optional seven-seat configuration - there's no chance to have this set-up with the EV.
All variants 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. At the top of the line-up, the 'Ultimate' version gets heated seats, a heated windscreen, roof rails and a heated steering wheel.
For those who want to spend the night outdoors, this 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
As we told you in our 'Driving' section, Vauxhall claims that the Frontera Electric is in standard 44kWh form capable of covering 186 of range (or 253 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 are covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus the battery will have its own eight year/100,000 mile cover package (to 70% of original capacity). Servicing intervals for both combustion and electric Frontera models are every 16,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. With this Electric variant, you'll also need an initial garage visit after a year or 8,000 miles. As usual with an EV, the Frontera Electric gets a low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rate - 3% at the time of this review, until Spring 2026. Depreciation levels aren't anything to write home about, this Electric version rated at just 37%. Insurance groups for the Frontera Electric are rated at 15E-16E for the 44kWh model or 14E to 15E for the 54kWh version.
Summary
In today's EV market, compact EV crossovers don't tend to go particularly far between charges - and this one's no different, particularly in its mainstream 44kWh form. But that might not be much of a concern with a trendy little SUV such as this Frontera Electric, likely to be used primarily as a second family car for shorter suburban trips.
It rides much better than the alternative Hybrid model and, remarkably, also costs considerably less, which is astonishing given just how much pricier EVs used to be than their combustion counterparts. Frontera customers might find the cabin a bit spartan and this Vauxhall lacks a bit of sparkle compared to its similarly-priced Citroen e-C3 Aircross Stellantis development cousin. But it handles slightly more sharply and you might get a better deal on one through Vauxhall's larger UK dealer network.
If that's on the table and you need a second car for suburban family duties, then yes, a Frontera Electric might suit. But for the future, cars like this need a little more pizazz and a lot more driving range. Still, they're getting more affordable, which can only be a good thing. Can't it?
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