Vauxhall Frontera review - Engines, drive & performance

The Vauxhall Frontera is based on the same platform as cars such as the Citroen e-C3, and the upcoming e-C3 Aircross, which is similar to the Vauxhall in terms of size. It also makes use of very familiar powertrains from elsewhere in the Vauxhall lineup and those of sister brands Citroen, Peugeot and Jeep.

Unlike in other cars we’ve tested, the Frontera Electric and Hybrid 136 feel very similar to drive despite the stark difference in powertrains. We’re happy to report that the Vauxhall feels slightly more engaging than the Citroen C3 did when we tested it, though it’s still far from being a ‘driver’s car’.

What is impressive, though, is how much the Frontera weighs regardless of the powertrain – it’s remarkably light regardless of whether you opt for the Hybrid or the Electric model considering its size against rivals.

The Frontera’s steering is light, but quite slow, so you’ll have to turn the wheel further than you might expect in slow corners. The brakes are a little spongey, and in the Hybrid model we found the six-speed automatic transmission to be rather slow to change down when you need a surge of acceleration.

Is it good to drive in town?

The Vauxhall Frontera does a good job of ironing out speedbumps and potholes in the road whether you go for the 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, which should pay dividends when driving around town. It’s also got a very tight turning circle, which means it’s easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

Is it good to drive on long journeys?

At higher speeds, the Frontera can feel a little unsettled, so every now and then you’ll feel that bumps and imperfections upset the ride quality, though we wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable. One area where it feels Vauxhall could have improved on the Frontera is definitely with sound-deadening, because road and wind noise can be rather high at speed.

Is it good to drive on B-roads?

Thanks to the Vauxhall Frontera’s impressively low weight, it doesn’t feel cumbersome around corners, which means it handles reasonably well. You’d never call it fun or particularly engaging, but as we mentioned higher up, it’s more so than the Citroen C3. We think the Frontera Electric actually has the edge in terms of cornering ability because the placement of its heavy batteries down low helps mitigate body roll.

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Petrol models

There’s no solely petrol-powered version of the Vauxhall Frontera, so every version comes with some form of electrification. There are two Hybrid models to choose from, dubbed the Hybrid 100 and Hybrid 136, with either 99bhp or 134bhp – both of these employ the use of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and electric motor. The more powerful Hybrid 136 is the most expensive of the lineup, sitting above both the Hybrid 100 and the Frontera Electric, so the only reason you might go for it is for the extra power on offer.

No version of the Frontera is particularly quick, but it’s worth noting that the Hybrid 136 is two seconds quicker from 0-62mph than the entry-level model.

Electric models 

The fact that the Frontera Electric costs the same as the entry-level Hybrid 100 is somewhat of a milestone for the market, so the choice between hybrid and electric power comes down to how well you believe it will suit your lifestyle. While the electric version may be more powerful than the entry-level Hybrid 100, it’s heavier due to the large batteries under the floor, so it’s the slowest from 0-62mph and has a lower top speed. Unlike some other EVs, the Frontera Electric doesn’t feel immediately punchy off the line, but it offers plenty of shove when you put your foot down and are already at speed. Because electric cars don’t need gears, it’s very smooth.

Carbuyer notes

“Weirdly, the Electric’s 111bhp motor doesn’t have the immediacy of an EV from standstill – you have to be up to speed for it to give you some punch – but it doesn’t feel overly slow at any point.” Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter