Vauxhall relaunches the Frontera for an electric era – and it has patented seats that promise to alleviate back ache

Those of a certain vintage will remember Vauxhall’s boxy Frontera 4×4 – a slightly disappointing family off-roader available from 1991 to 2004.

Twenty years after the nameplate was thrown out after sales hit an all-time low towards the end of its production run, Vauxhall bosses have now brought it back to help lead the charge on electric vehicles (EV).

The compact SUV, which is available as a petrol or fully electric model, will rival the likes of the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke.

And the USP will be comfort, with the company claiming it will introduce a patented seat design that will ease back pain during long journeys.

The new Vauxhall Frontera will hit British roads this year, replacing the aging Crossland crossover with a slightly larger body and a more rugged appearance.

It is supported by parent company Stellantis’ new ‘Smart Car’ platform, which is already used for the Citroen e-C3.

By sharing platforms, the automotive giant can reduce costs and therefore keep purchase prices relatively low for customers in Europe and Great Britain.

The new Vauxhall Frontera will hit British roads this year, replacing the aging Crossland crossover with a slightly larger body and a more rugged appearance

For those of a certain vintage, you’ll remember Vauxhall’s boxy Frontera 4×4 – a slightly disappointing family off-roader available from 1991 to 2004

The Frontera was on sale before the huge demand for SUVs that occurred a decade after it went out of production

Sitting below the Mokka in Vauxhall’s model range, prices for the entry-level petrol should start at around £20,000, while the fully electric version will command a premium of a few thousand pounds.

In terms of powertrains, it will be available with a choice of a standard 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine or one with the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

These are paired with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic transmission that only drives the front wheels. An all-wheel drive variant is not expected.

The EV – which will be called the Frontera Electric – will be launched with a range of approximately 200 to 250 miles when fully charged.

In terms of powertrains, it will be available with a choice of a standard 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine or one with the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

Although the 2024 Frontera shares major similarities with its predecessor from twenty years earlier (especially in terms of powertrains), it has adopted the somewhat boxy shape

Given Opel’s promise to become an exclusive EV brand from 2028, this is the brand that will be on sale the longest.

Available from launch, it will also be one of the cheapest electric cars on the market, although it won’t come close to the low £14,995 entry price of the Dacia Spring EV.

James Taylor, managing director at Vauxhall, said: ‘With its combination of robust design, spaciousness, smart solutions and efficient powertrains, our new Vauxhall Frontera will appeal to a wide range of customers who want to stand out from the crowd.

‘It is ideally suited to urban and suburban environments. A fully electric version will be available from launch.’

The EV – which will be called the Frontera Electric – will hit the market and offer a range of approximately 200 to 250 miles when fully charged

Frontera will sit below the Mokka in Vauxhall’s model range and prices will start from £20,000 for the conventional petrol engine

More practical and extremely comfortable

The Frontera will offer a usability boost over the outgoing Crossland, especially in terms of spaciousness.

The boxier proportions of the body should translate into extra head and elbow room for occupants, while the boot will have an additional 50 liters of luggage space.

Opel says the luggage compartment can hold up to 460 liters at any time. Fold down the rear seat backrests and the loading capacity increases to 1,600 liters.

It also comes with a patented comfort feature called Intelli-Seats in the front.

The seats feature a unique slot designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone – ensuring excellent comfort, even on long journeys.

A pair of 10-inch digital screens make up the infotainment display and instrument cluster, while the front Intelli-Seats feature a patented comfort design

And for people with an environmentally conscious mentality, the chair fabrics are also available in a completely sustainable recycled material.

Up front, the cabin is packed with technology.

This includes a fully digital cockpit with two 10-inch displays and infotainment system.

Users can also charge their devices via a cooled wireless charging dock, while there are a total of four USB ports: two in the front and a pair for rear-seat occupants.

With first deliveries promised before the end of the year, the Frontera’s twenty-year hiatus will end very soon.