New Vauxhall Frontera Hybrid and Electric models go on sale at the same price
Orders for Vauxhall’s new Frontera SUV will open in Autumn
UK pricing has been confirmed for the new Vauxhall Frontera, with both the pure-electric and petrol-powered models starting from £23,495. This represents the first time that price parity has been achieved between an ICE and full-electric variant of the same car, tangible proof that EV prices are on their way down.
Both powertrain options will be available in two trim levels – Design and GS – and all variants will be available from launch in the Autumn. The Frontera Electric will initially come with a 44kWh battery, but a ‘Long Range’ version with more battery capacity will arrive in 2025.
Despite splitting the current Vauxhall Mokka and new Grandland in terms of space, the Frontera will sit under both in terms of price, due largely to riding on Stellantis’ affordable ‘Smart Car’ platform. It shares with the new Citroen C3 and e-C3, with the future Fiat Grande Panda and a wealth of other new models destined to share the same architecture.
The Frontera Hybrid runs a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, backed up by a small 28bhp electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This runs off a 48V electrical system, but isn’t capable of running for long stretches without the petrol engine.
This powertrain comes with either 99bhp and 205Nm of torque or 136bhp and 230Nm of torque, with the former completing the 0-62mph sprint in 11 seconds and the more powerful engine taking nine seconds. Despite the power difference, both engines produce 120g/km.
In Design trim, the 136bhp hybrid version costs an extra £1,500 over the 99bhp model at £24,995. GS models with the hybrid powertrain can also be optioned with seven seats for an extra £550.
As expected, the battery in the Frontera Electric is the same as you’d find in the new Citroen e-C3 – a 44kWh unit with a 111bhp front-mounted electric motor. Vauxhall is quoting a WLTP-certified 186 miles of range (the same as the e-C3 Aircross), can take a 100kW charge, meaning a 20 to 80 per cent top up takes 26 minutes. It’s capable of reaching 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds, with a top speed of 87mph. A ‘Long Range’ version of the Frontera Electric will launch next year with Vauxhall claiming a more generous 248-mile range.
The standard equipment for the Frontera in Design trim is the same for both the Hybrid and Electric. On the outside there’s automatic LED headlights that flow into Vauxhall’s distinctive ‘Vizor’ front end, 16-inch steel wheels with wheel arch cladding, automatic wipers and black bumpers.
Inside there’s Vauxhall’s current ‘Pure Panel’ dash layout with the firm’s new steering wheel and two 10-inch screens. Vauxhall points out there are physical buttons dotted around the dash for ‘a practical, driver-friendly experience’. Sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless smartphone charging are also standard as are rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control, lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition.
Rather than mirror the rest of Vauxhall’s trim-level range, there’s no ‘Ultimate’ range-topper of the Frontera just yet so the GS will be the most lavish version you can buy. As standard it gets 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, silver skid plates a black roof with tinted rear windows, LED rear lights and power folding mirrors.
Inside, the GS comes with electronic climate control, comfort front seats, front parking sensors and blind spot monitoring. Along with the option of seven seats, there’s also a ‘Comfort Pack’ which adds heated seats and heated windscreen and a heated steering wheel along with roof rails.
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