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By Jonathan Crouch

Vauxhall hopes this new kind of Frontera SUV will appeal to small families. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 56

Vauxhall reinvents its Frontera for a new era - with a little help from Citroen. There's plenty of potential electrification, seating for up to seven and quite a lot more attitude than any previous Vauxhall SUV. If you've never considered one of the brand's small crossovers before, there's just a chance you might like this one.

Backgroundword count: 163

So: Vauxhall's new era Frontera. There's lots to get used to here. First the fact that it's replacing the brand's previous entry-level SUV (the Crossland) but it isn't an entry-level model (the Frontera slots in between the Mokka and the Grandland). Second, this is the first Vauxhall SUV with up to seven seats. And third, there's the curiosity that Vauxhall would want to bring back the name of a turn-of-the-century model it sold that had possibly the worst build quality and reliability of any SUV made in that period. But of course Vauxhalls are very different now, always based on models from fellow Stellantis Group brands Peugeot and Citroen. The Frontera is based primarily on the second generation Citroen C3 Aircross, which means that as well as the third seating row option, it can offer the choice of conventional petrol, Hybrid or EV drivetrains. It's certainly a much more practical family wagon than the old Crossland. And a very different kind of Frontera.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 226

The Frontera gets the usual portfolio of small hatch Stellantis Group electrified powertrains. If you're after a combustion-powered model, Vauxhall wants you to consider its 48V Hybrid powerplant, which will primarily sell in 100hp form but can also be had in 136hp guise. This sees a Hybrid 1.2-litre three cylinder unit driving the front wheels and combining with a 28hp 48V motor built into a clever 6-speed dual clutch e-DCT6 auto gearbox. This Hybrid set-up's electric motor can take over driving duties for up to 50% of the time in urban traffic. There's 205Nm of torque with the 100PS model - or 230Nm with the 136PS version. The electric motor contributes to stronger acceleration at low engine speeds, with the 100PS model going from 0-62mph in 11 seconds and the 136PS engine taking just nine seconds. Top speeds are 112mph and 118mph respectively. There's no diesel alternative of course (an option now virtually unknown in this segment). What about if you want your Frontera as a full-EV? Well the base Electric version has a 44kWh battery that energises a 113PS front-mounted motor on the front axle and offers 186 miles between charges. If that's insufficient, the alternative 'Long Range' Frontera Electric will go 248 miles between charges. Don't expect feisty performance though; the Electric 113PS model gets to 62mph in 12.1s en route to just 87mph.

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