I’ve found a budget electric SUV that’s perfect for the school run

It’s always tricky to use an old name for a new car – eg. ford has been found after reacting to the new ford capriThat’s why when the news came, some people’s breath stopped rapidly. Vauxhall The Frontera name is returning. The original Frontera was possibly the worst car ever sold by Vauxhall.

However, the Frontera is back – but this time it’s electric and now plays the role of a nice, affordable, family-friendly suvThe new Vauxhall Frontera enters the electric car world with a price and package that will appeal to those looking for something practical, stylish and straightforward for everyday use.

Available with two battery sizes – 44kWh or 54kWh – and with hybrid power (which adds the option of seven seats for an extra £550) for those not quite ready to go fully electric, the Frontera covers a lot of bases. I’ve driven the smaller 44kWh version, which is expected to sell in large numbers due to its attractive price, which undercuts its hybrid counterpart by £2,360, thanks in no small part to the government’s electric car grant.

On the road, the Frontera’s ride is very comfortable – not really uncomfortable, but a little bumpy, especially compared to C3 is aircross Brothers and sisters who share common ground. But it’s easy to drive, quiet (apart from a slight motor whistle when accelerating), and perfect for short trips, school runs, or city driving. Rear seat space is excellent and the boot is practical and well-sized, with a low lip that makes it easy to load everything from your weekly shopping to the family dog.

There’s a little more hard plastic in the cabin, and it lacks the fabric touches that make the Citroen feel more homey, but tech levels are strong for the money – with twin 10-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and reasonable physical controls for ventilation. Best of all, Vauxhall has even added shortcut buttons to turn off overzealous driver assistance, so those persistent jerks and nudges can be instantly quelled.

The Frontera may not wow you with power or luxury, but it’s a proper no-nonsense EV – and one of the most sensible choices for families who want to make the electric switch without blowing the budget. The only problem with this is that Citroen The equivalent is £900 cheaper, the ride is better and its cabin is slightly plusher.

How we tested

I drove the Frontera around the towns and villages of Wiltshire, down narrow and dirty country lanes, through suburban roads and on fast A-roads and dual carriageways. As well as being able to assess how well the Frontera drives, I took it to Waitrose to see how easy it was to park, checked the boot for ease of loading, sat in the back and worked out how I could fit a child seat and took a close look at all the tech – including the stereo.

Independent Rating: 8/10

Vauxhall Frontera Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The all-electric Frontera has two battery options available: a smaller 44kWh pack and a larger 54kWh version that offers 186 miles of range for the smaller battery or 253-miles for the larger battery. Both versions use the same 113hp electric motor to drive the front wheels, and both support 100kW DC rapid charging and 11kW AC home charging. This means a 20 to 80 percent top-up on a fast charger should take about 26 minutes – just fine for quick stops on long trips.

In the real world, especially with the 44kWh model, you’ll see around 150 to 180 miles of range, depending on weather, passengers, and driving style. It is perfectly adequate for daily duties and occasional long trips with a little planning.

The driving experience is generally pleasant, although the car can go over lumps and bumps at low speeds. It’s not harsh, but don’t expect Citroën-style playfulness. Vauxhall says it’s a little sportier – we’d say more robust. The steering is set up for ease of use rather than feedback, which works perfectly in the Waitrose car park I visited.

Acceleration is modest, but adequate – the electric motor delivers its 111bhp and 125Nm of torque smoothly, with a slight whirring sound that’s only noticeable with the stereo turned off. There’s no one-pedal driving, but you do get the option of Region Level with a ‘C’ button (for comfort), which makes regenerative braking oddly easy – it would be more normal to have a ‘B’ button to add braking effort.

This isn’t a car that will thrill you behind the wheel, but for cruising around town or traveling at 60 mph, it’s as smooth as they come.

Interior, practicality and boot space

Inside, the Frontera is functional and surprisingly spacious. The rear occupants get acres of space – especially legroom – making it a real winner for family duties or tall teenagers – it’s exactly the same length as the Citroen E-C3 Aircross, so there’s almost identical rear space too. Visibility is good, parking is easy, and the boot is sensibly shaped with a low sill that makes shopping or chucking in a pushchair no problem.

The boot capacity increases to 460 liters with the seats raised and 1,600 liters with them folded. It has a two-level load floor and 60:40 rear seat split, as well as roof rails for up to 240 kg.

Cabin quality is very much of the “built for budget” school. There’s a lot of hard plastics, and none of the heated cloth trim you’ll find in the Citroen equivalent. Still, it’s solid enough, and you get some practical touches – like rubberized trays and elastic cupholder bands to prevent rattling (though ironically, our test car had a few of those elsewhere in the cabin).

The seats on this GS model come with Vauxhall’s Intelli-Seat system, which is claimed to provide superior comfort on long journeys. They’re supportive enough, and the driving position is fine, if a little high for some people’s liking.

You’re also not short on storage – there are cubbies and shelves scattered around, including a convenient rubberized shelf in front of the front passenger, as well as five USB sockets depending on the trim. The boot lip is low, wide and perfect for families with dogs or pushchairs.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

The Frontera may be budget-conscious, but it doesn’t skimp on technology. Even the base model gets a 10-inch touchscreen and 10-inch digital driver display, complete with built-in sat-nav, wireless phone mirroring, natural voice controls and wireless charging.

It’s easy enough to use, and Vauxhall has wisely resisted the urge to bury the climate controls in a sub-menu – you get proper physical switches, which we like. There’s also a handy ‘quick select’ button to deactivate driver assistance systems like lane-keep assist and speed limit warnings, which might otherwise be a little overzealous.

Audio quality is good for the money – nothing fancy, but good enough for podcasts and the occasional Taylor Swift playlist at school. If you want more kit, moving up from the Design (which is already decently finished) through the GS and up to Ultimate adds niceties like heated seats, a heated windscreen and even a lounge mode with seat recline – nice touches for what is still a very affordable EV, although the big battery car in the top spec Ultimate trim comes very close to more talented SUV rivals.

Prices and operating costs

Prices start at just £22,495 (with a £1,500 electric car grant) for the Frontera 44kWh Design trim, rising to £29,565 for the Ultimate 54kWh version with all the kit. Needless to say, this makes the most sense in cheaper models – you start to step on the toes of choice. MG S5 With more expensive Fronteras, and I’d much prefer the MG at that price.

Running costs are where the Frontera matters most. On cheap household energy tariffs, expect to pay significantly less to run than a similar-sized petrol SUV.

Benefit-in-kind tax rates for company car drivers are low, and insurance groups should be competitive, although Vauxhall has not yet confirmed final numbers.

Vauxhall also offers an 8-year roadside charging assistance scheme, and is offering a £500 contribution towards public charging or a home wallbox, as well as up to 10,000 free miles through Octopus Energy, or you can have £500 Tesco credit or 50,000 Tesco Clubcard points – Vauxhall clearly knows its target market.

Vauxhall Frontera Rival

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

It takes about 26 minutes to go from 20 to 80% on a 100kW charger. It takes about 6 hours to fully charge the house with an 11kW wallbox.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

Prices range from £22,495 to £29,195, with the cheaper, smaller battery models making the most sense. But the Citroen e-C3 is cheaper and slightly better

Does Vauxhall change batteries for free?

Yes – there is eight years of cover for the battery and eight years of roadside charging assistance is included.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Verdict: Vauxhall Frontera

If you’re looking for an affordable, stylish and sensible electric SUV that’s ideal for everyday life, the new Vauxhall Frontera is worth a look. It’s not luxurious, powerful or particularly premium – but it is practical, well-equipped and cheaper than many rivals… except for its Stellantis stablemate, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, which I’d say is better to drive and live with, and a little cheaper too.