New Vauxhall Frontera EV and hybrid both cost £23,495

• Small SUV with up to seven seats
• Choice of full EV or mild hybrid
• Both cost from £23,495

The new Vauxhall Frontera was revealed in full earlier this year, arriving with a small SUV design and a choice of electric or mild hybrid powertrains. UK pricing for both models has now been confirmed and, in an unusual move, they will be priced identically, costing from £23,495.

The Vauxhall Frontera features a nameplate plucked from the brand’s back-catalogue and is scheduled to arrive this autumn to replace the ageing Vauxhall Crossland. Unlike that model, the Frontera can accommodate up to seven passengers – much like its sister car, the new Citroen C3 Aircross. Despite its roomy interior, it’s one of the smallest and most affordable SUVs in Vauxhall’s lineup, sitting above the existing Mokka and beneath the all-new Grandland.

What does the new Vauxhall Frontera look like?

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The Frontera carries a clear visual resemblance to Vauxhall’s existing models, but it actually sits on an entirely new platform for the brand. Known as ‘Smart Car’, it’s shared with the Citroen e-C3, although the Frontera is much taller and longer than that supermini. It’s unashamedly boxy, with chunky wheelarches and an upright front end design that Vauxhall describes as “bold and tough”.

You’ll find Vauxhall’s usual ‘Vizor’ treatment across the nose of the Frontera, housing a pair of LED headlights and a large Griffin emblem at its centre. The design deviates from other Vauxhall models at the rear – you’ll spot a new tail-light design split into two elements. 

What about the interior of the Vauxhall Frontera?

From behind the wheel, the Frontera’s cabin won’t appear radically different from those in Vauxhall’s other models, but that’s no bad thing. You get the ‘Pure Panel’ infotainment and driver’s displays – both 10 inches – along with a separate bank of toggle switches for the climate controls. There are a few neat features, too, including dedicated smartphone pockets for rear seat passengers, and a cooled wireless smartphone charger up front.

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The boxy exterior design has allowed Vauxhall to make the Frontera’s interior as spacious as possible. With five passengers onboard, you’ll find 460 litres of boot space behind the rear seats, while folding the second row increases that figure to 1,600 litres – both greater than a Peugeot 2008 or a Ford Puma. What really sets the Frontera apart from those rivals is the option of a seven-seat layout. The additional two seats are available as an optional extra for £550, but only for the mild-hybrid Frontera – electric models are strictly five seats only.

The Frontera will be offered in two trim levels from launch – Design and GS – with the latter getting a few extra features, including front parking sensors, electronic climate control, blind-spot alert and Vauxhall’s comfy ‘Intelli-seat’ front seats

What engine options are there for the Vauxhall Frontera?

The Frontera will be offered as an EV from the get-go, as well as a petrol mild hybrid. The latter makes use of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, available in either 99bhp or 128bhp spec, connected to a 28bhp electric motor. It’s a setup found across several models from parent-brand Stellantis, including the new Vauxhall Grandland and Peugeot 3008, driving the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The Frontera Electric swaps the petrol engine for a 111bhp electric motor and a 44kWh battery, shared with the Citroen e-C3. This model has a range of 186 miles, with that figure extending to around 248 miles for the ‘long range’ model – although specs for the latter are still to be confirmed. Both models are compatible with 100kW rapid-charging.

How much does the Vauxhall Frontera cost?

Headline news for the Vauxhall Frontera is the price – both mild hybrid and electric models will start from an identical £23,495, with the pricier GS trim costing £25,895. The more powerful of the two mild hybrids commands an extra £1,500 across both trim levels.

The Frontera is scheduled to go on sale this autumn. Electric models qualify for Vauxhall’s Free2move scheme, whereby customers can choose between a free home-charging wallbox or a year’s worth of free charging at Tesco stores across the country.

Read up on the top 10 small SUVs on sale to find out which ones we think are the best…