Vauxhall Frontera 1.2 Hybrid 110 Ultimate 5dr e-DCT6

Ten Second Review

The usual Stellantis Hybrid three cylinder engine gets another outing, this time in Vauxhall's small SUV, the Frontera. It's a sensible, frugal confection. Whether it's worth choosing over the identically-priced EV version is another question.

Background

It would have been easy for you to miss the re-introduction by Vauxhall of a model name from the past - Frontera. But if you haven't, like the small Stellantis SUV this Griffin brand crossover has become and find yourself agonising between Hybrid and full-electric drivetrains in choosing one, then this review is for you. The Hybrid version is our focus here, mainly because in a market currently sceptical of EVs, it's this electrical combustion version that will primarily drive Frontera sales. All the same engineering features in this segment in two other Stellantis models, the Citroen C3 Aircross and the Fiat Grande Panda. So why choose this Vauxhall? Good question.

Driving Experience

Since you might already know about this car's Hybrid engine, so prolific is it across Stellantis brand models, we'll start with drive dynamics. It's difficult not to compare these against those of the Frontera Electric since the two models are identically priced. Of the two cars, you can expect the EV version to be better to drive, thanks to its lower centre of gravity and more instant torque. But since drive dynamics aren't really a Frontera strength, that point of difference may be irrelevant, particularly in the class of car often primarily bought to look good at the gym. The engineering behind this model's Hybrid powerplant is anything but irrelevant. It's actually a mild hybrid, but mimics full-Hybrid tech in a lot of the ways that really matter. So the battery can take over from the engine in town travel; and be used exclusively in low-speed manoeuvring. This 48V Hybrid powerplant will primarily sell in 110PS form (with 205Nm of torque) but can also be had in 145PS guise (with 230Nm). Either way, you get a 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 DSC6 auto gearbox. The 110PS model makes 62mph in 11s en route to 112mph. The 145PS variant improves those figures to 9s and 118mph.

Design and Build

The Frontera, we're told, offers 'a new interpretation' of Vauxhall's 'bold and pure' design philosophy. Where the previous Crossland model was very much a crossover, this looks more of a robust SUV, with a taller stance, prominent wheel arches and sills and quite an eye-catching C-pillar. The 4,380mm length is a substantial 1,68mm longer than the Crossland and positions the car neatly between the Mokka (4,151mm) and the second generation Grandland (4,650mm) in Vauxhall's refreshed SUV line-up. The nose has the brand's usual 'Vizor' LED light and grille arrangement and the split tail light design further differentiates the car from its mechanically-identical Citroen C3 Aircross Stellantis Group cousin. Inside, there's what Vauxhall describes as 'a clean, detoxed user experience', which doesn't sound very appealing but does at least include climate controls separated from the centre screen (a brand design difference from its French cousins). That monitor is part of the company's usual 'Pure Panel' cockpit arrangement made up of two 10-inch displays, the other for the instruments viewed through the freshly designed steering wheel. Lots of user-friendly cabin touches feature, including a centre console that can swallow a tablet and hold it in place with a flexible strap. Ahead of the small gear shifter is a wireless charging mat. And the patented 'Intelli-Seats' have sustainable fabrics and a slot in the middle that relieves pressure on the tail bone. The second row can't comfortably seat much more than two adults, but it's also practical with two USB ports and smartphone pockets in the front seatbacks. Third row seating costs extra and is strictly for small children. Out back, there's a 450-litre boot (actually slightly less than the old Crossland) with a split cargo floor. Fold the rear bench and this extends to 1600-litres.

Market and Model

Frontera Hybrid prices start at around £25,000 for the 110PS version; you'll need about £1,500 more for the 145PS variant. There are three trim levels - 'Design', 'GS' and 'Ultimate'. 'Design'-spec comes with Intelli-LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, cruise control, air conditioning, rain-sensitive wipers and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Media features are taken care of by a 10-inch colour touchscreen based around the brand's Multimedia Pure Panel Navigation system. This features natural voice recognition, plus wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Most Frontera customers will trade up to 'GS' level, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint, front parking sensors, a leather-effect steering wheel, dark tinted rear windows, electronic climate control and LED taillights. Plus high-gloss black wing mirrors, dark silver skid plates, front and rear LED reading lights and an electrochromic anti-dazzle rear view mirror. There's Intelli seat trim and ergonomically designed front seats too. Safety kit on all models includes automatic emergency braking, Lane keep assist, driver drowsiness alert, speed sign recognition, forward collision alert and high beam assist. 'GS' spec adds blindspot alert.

Cost of Ownership

Small SUVs can't be as efficient as the superminis they're based upon: extra weight and bluffer aerodynamics put paid to that. This Frontera is no exception to that rule, in terms of weight tipping the scales at about 100 kilograms more than a similarly-engineered Vauxhall Corsa. That exacts a penalty of about 10% on the fuel and CO2 emissions figures you can expect - which is a premium that we expect most potential owners will be quite happy to pay in return for the extra fashionability of running a car of this kind. It's worth pointing out though, that the inherent lightness of that standard Corsa means that this SUV model's extra weight doesn't leave it as being a particularly heavy car. And the result should be a very efficient set of running costs. WLTP figures suggest that both versions of the Hybrid unit return up to 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 119g/km of CO2. All versions of this model will be covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus the battery will have its own eight year cover package. Service intervals are every 16,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first.

Summary

With other Stellantis compact models, we've had no hesitation in saying that, right here, right now, the Hybrid version is for most people, a better bet than the EV. We're not sure though, that the same holds true here. There are two reasons for that. First, because Vauxhall, very creditably, has priced the Electric Frontera at exactly the same level as this Hybrid version, removing a significant barrier to EV purchase. And second because the Electric Frontera drives better than the Hybrid one. Of course, there are still plenty of reasons why you might prefer a petrol/electric version of this car - and with the UK's currently rather flaky public charging network, we wouldn't blame you if you did. But it's not the default option we thought it might be. Nor for that matter is the Frontera in its class. If ever a car needed significant marketing spend, it's this one.