Vauxhall Frontera to return after 20 years – as an electric SUV

• All-new small electric SUV
• Focus on affordability and versatility 
• Full reveal later this year

Vauxhall has revealed that its next all-new model will be called the Vauxhall Frontera, reviving a nameplate used by the brand on a small SUV back in the 90s. We first spied the new model wearing camouflage last year, but we now have confirmation that it will debut as an electric small SUV, serving as the replacement for the ageing Vauxhall Crossland.

Vauxhall has revealed a teaser image of the new Vauxhall Frontera, and although this only shows the silhouette of the car, Vauxhall has provided a few extra clues to help us piece together the look of its new small SUV. For starters, it claims the Frontera will have a “rugged” appearance – the teaser image and our previous spy shots corroborate this claim, as they revealed a boxier look which was quite a departure from the swoopy styling of the outgoing Crossland. The nose will undoubtedly feature Vauxhall’s ‘Vizor’ front fascia, present across its entire lineup. 

What can we expect from the new Vauxhall Frontera?

The new Vauxhall Frontera is set to arrive as an all-electric model, and is likely to share its platform with the existing Vauxhall Corsa and Mokka. The Frontera Electric (as it will presumably be called) could use the same battery and electric motor configuration found in the electric variants of these cars.

This could mean a choice between 50kWh and 54kWh batteries, the latter providing more range – perhaps up to 250 miles – but at a higher cost. We expect the Mokka Electric’s 100kWh maximum charging speed, 11kWh AC onboard charger and heat pump all to be carried over to the new Frontera Electric.

Will there be a petrol or hybrid Vauxhall Frontera?

Although Vauxhall has only confirmed an electric Frontera, a shared platform would open the door to petrol and mild hybrid models, too. This was the case for the Jeep Avenger, which arrived first as an all-electric model, with petrol and mild hybrid models following soon after. The Avenger is another model produced under parent-brand Stellantis, also utilising the same platform as the Vauxhall Corsa and Mokka.

If the new Frontera were to follow this trend, petrol models would likely use the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine found in the other Vauxhall models, with a mild hybrid version pairing this with 48-volt technology for improved efficiency.

Is there anything else I need to know?

The Vauxhall Frontera will be fully revealed in the coming weeks, followed by the next-generation Grandland SUV later this year, also confirmed to launch with an all-electric powertrain.

You’d be forgiven for not remembering the original Frontera, although perhaps that’s no bad thing. It was essentially a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, itself based on a pickup truck, but it disappointed with its thirsty engines and poor handling. It was sold across the globe under a variety of names, eventually ending production in 2004 and being replaced in the UK by the Vauxhall Antara. With this latest model being based on regular-car underpinnings, rather than those of a pickup truck, the Frontera will hopefully be more adept to most driver’s needs on UK roads.

Like the sound of the new Frontera? Read our list of the top 10 best electric SUVs you can buy right now…