Vauxhall breaks new ground with price parity for electric, hybrid Frontera

Vauxhall has launched the all-new Frontera, offering both fully electric and hybrid versions at the same starting price of £23,495 OTR.

The decision marks the first time in the UK car market that the price gap between an electric and a petrol-powered vehicle has been entirely eliminated.

Traditionally, electric vehicles (EVs) have come with a premium price tag, often 31% higher on average compared to their petrol counterparts.

James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall, said: "Vauxhall is leading the way in democratising access to electric vehicles. With the launch of the New Frontera, we have eliminated the list price premium that often applies to electric vehicles.

"At just £23,495, the New Frontera Electric is a significant milestone in our mission to make electric mobility accessible for everyone across the UK."

The compact Frontera, which sits between the Mokka and the All-New Grandland in Vauxhall’s refreshed SUV lineup, offers 460 litres of boot capacity which exceeds that of the Astra Sports Tourer Electric when the rear seats are folded down.

Inside, the Frontera includes two 10-inch widescreens, a newly designed steering wheel, and practical physical buttons for key functions. Standard features include satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless smartphone charging.

The New Frontera will be available in two trim levels: the entry-level Design and the more upscale GS.

The Design models feature 16-inch black steel wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, and optional white roof with matching wheels, while GS models add 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, and additional luxury touches like electronic climate control and Intelli-Seat front seats.

Powertrain options for the New Frontera include a petrol hybrid with 48-volt technology, offering either 100hp or 136hp, and a fully electric version with a 113hp motor.

The electric model, based on Stellantis' new ‘Smart Car’ BEV-native platform, delivers a range of 186 miles (WLTP provisional) from a 44kWh battery, with the ability to charge from 20-80% in just 26 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger.

A ‘Long Range’ electric version capable of up to 248 miles on a single charge is also set to launch next year.