Opel Frontera: New hybrid and electric car with up to 7 seats

Test drive report New Opel Frontera: Heritage and SUV united in compact format

2024-12-16 By Alexander Sellei/sp-x | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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Opel has revived the Frontera. It succeeds the Crossland as a mild hybrid or electric car with up to seven seats. However, all-wheel drive is nowhere to be found.

On the occasion of the brand's 125th anniversary, Opel is now reviving the Frontera from the 90s.

(Image: Opel)

While the parent company Stellantis finds itself in turbulent waters after the hasty departure of CEO Tavares, Opel has recently experienced a favorable development. For the brand's 125th anniversary, Opel is reviving the cult 4x4 Frontera from the 90s. Despite its storied off-road heritage, all-wheel drive is not available. The new generation shares with the original Frontera its angular appearance and high utility at an affordable price. It starts at 24,000 euros (approx. 25.229 USD) with the mild hybrid, while the E-Frontera starts at 29,000 euros (approx. 30.485 USD).

The new model with an old name replaces the Opel Crossland and belongs to the popular compact SUV class, where numerous competitors such as the Skoda Karoq or the Nissan Qashqai abound. Opel makes use of the Smart-Car platform for the small and compact class from the Stellantis group, already used for Citroën models like the ë-C3 or C3 Aircross. The platform has been developed with a focus on electric cars but can also be equipped with hybrid drives.

Following the Dacia Spring, Citroen ë-C3, and Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Hyundai is now also entering the affordable battery business with the Inster. (Image:Hyundai)

Very good space utilization

The 4.39-meter long and 1.64-meter high SUV (approx. 14.4 ft long and 5,4 ft high) has a wheelbase of 2.67 meters (approx. 8,8 ft), which means very good space utilization with sufficient head and legroom in the back seat. Among the interesting options is an additional third row of seats for 800 euros extra (approx. 841 USD), transforming the five-seater into a seven-seater. However, this is reserved for the hybrid powertrains.

The trunk with a double loading floor offers 460 liters of storage space. Folding down the split rear seat (60:40) increases this to up to 1,600 liters. Similar to bicycle saddles, the front seats have a center groove as standard. This distributes weight better over the sitting bones during longer journeys and reduces pressure on the tailbone.

Not suitable for long trips

The electric Frontera initially comes with only one battery option. At 44 kWh, it is somewhat modest, offering the vehicle a range of up to 300 km (approx. 186 miles), which is insufficient for longer trips. A long-range variant with a larger battery for up to 400 km (approx. 249 miles) of range is planned for next year. The performance of the 83 kW electric SUV doesn't quite make the grade within the quartet. Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h (approx. 62 miles/h) takes a sluggish twelve seconds, and it tops out at 140 km/h (approx. 87 miles/h).

The consumption is stated at a realistic 18.5 kWh per 100 km (approx. 62 miles/h), which is average for a vehicle of this weight class (1,344 kg). A standard charge from 20 to 80 percent battery capacity is completed in just under 26 minutes. The small battery charges at a maximum power of 100 kW (DC). For AC charging, only a single-phase onboard charger is standard. Therefore, the three-phase device with 11 kW charging capacity is highly recommended for an additional 400 euros (420,48 USD).

Almost like a smaller Mustang Mach-E: The closed front clearly indicates the E-drive of the Puma Gen-E. (Image:Ford)

While the Rüsselsheim engineers were constrained by Stellantis in terms of technical components, the designers had mostly free rein with the aesthetics. Even more than its predecessor, the Crossland, or its model siblings Mokka and Grandland, Opel positions the Frontera visually towards an SUV. This is particularly evident in the profile, with the vertical front and angular rear. At the front, the compact car unmistakably displays the current brand face with the black panel, full LED headlights, and the Opel lightning bolt.

Detox in the equipment

To keep the entry price well below 30,000 euros (31.536 USD), Opel adopted a strict hand in economizing the interior. Opel itself calls this equipment detox, stating that they focus purely on the essentials. As a result, the interior is rather spartan. However, due to the clear interior design, this is not immediately apparent. A key that must be inserted and turned to start the car seems quite outdated for a modern electric vehicle. Opel also emphasizes the economical use of resources, as the Frontera is 95 percent made from recyclable materials, and the interior is completely free of animal leather.

A dual-screen display, each with a ten-inch diagonal, provides information about the drive and the vehicle, with the optional central display slightly angled towards the driver. The standard equipment includes only a central smartphone holder. It's frustrating that functionality has been cut here as well, and even the average consumption cannot be displayed.

Gallery

Among the interesting options is an additional third row of seats for 800 euros extra, transforming the five-seater into a seven-seater.(Image: Opel)

The trunk with a double loading floor offers 460 liters of storage space.(Image: Opel)

Folding down the split rear seat (60:40) increases this to up to 1,600 liters.(Image: Opel)

Opel relies on the Smart Car platform for the small and compact class from the Stellantis Group.(Image: Opel)

Gallery with 7 images

Few tactile buttons

In addition to touch and voice controls, there are only a few physical buttons, such as for climate control. At least the smartphone can also charge wirelessly optionally. Features of the base Frontera Edition include a manual air conditioning system, 16-inch steel wheels, and the most important assistance systems. The higher trim line, Frontera GS, offers 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and an infotainment system with a central display for an additional 3,500 euros (3.679,20 USD).

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For those not yet ready to switch to an electric car, there are alternatively two cheaper combustion engine variants, costing approximately 5,000 or 3,200 euros (5.256 or 3.363,84 USD) less, with either 74 kW/100 hp or 100 kW/136 hp. Both feature a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and receive electric support from a 48-volt system. In city traffic, when rolling from light to light, the car can also travel short distances purely electrically.