New Vauxhall Frontera Long Range to arrive in 2025
The Vauxhall Frontera EV will get a new version with a 248-mile range for less than £30,000 next year
- New small SUV was revealed this year
- Choice of full EV or mild hybrid, with 248-mile range model coming soon
- Starting price is £23,495, but Long Range version will be under £30,000
The new Vauxhall Frontera will get a longer-range model called the ‘Long Range’ that will cost under £30,000. Coming next year, the new model will be able to drive for 248 miles on a single charge according to official figures, which is 62 miles more than the already-announced Frontera with a 44kWh battery.
Vauxhall’s new small SUV is currently available with a choice of electric or mild hybrid powertrains and both cost from £23,495, so the Long Range model will add roughly £6,500 to that figure when it becomes available in 2025.
The Frontera is a new model that replaces the old Vauxhall Crossland, which was a small family SUV. The new model is a seven-seater just like its sister car, the new Citroen C3 Aircross. It sits below the all-new Grandland in the brand’s range and offers a more practical alternative to the Mokka SUV, which is also available as an electric car. Vauxhall has also stated that the Frontera is a bit like a replacement for the Zafira (an old MPV model that’s not been available for a while).
There aren’t any more details on the new Long Range model yet, so we don’t know if it will use the same 111bhp front-mounted electric motor as the existing 44kWh model, nor do we know the exact size of the larger battery pack. Since it adds only 62 miles of range, don’t expect it to have a huge increase in capacity in the new model. It won’t use the 54kWh from the Mokka Electric, but it could have a similar capacity.
What does the new Vauxhall Frontera look like?
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.
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.
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