Opel Frontera returns as compact, fully-electric SUV

Opel has resurrected the Frontera nameplate for the successor of the Crossland. The new compact SUV focuses on practicality, clever technology and a high degree of electrification thanks to the choice between a (mild) hybrid or a fully electric drivetrain – although not every detail is yet known.

The first Opel Frontera was a fully-fledged terrain vehicle from the 1990s borrowed from Isuzu, which collaborated with General Motors at the time. This new iteration shares almost nothing with its forefather, although its squarish look does bring a degree of ruggedness to the compact SUV, which replaces the Crossland and slots in between the Mokka and Grandland in Opel’s SUV range.

Roomy compact SUV

The Frontera combines some known Opel design elements, like the Vizor grille, and some new elements like the new Blitz logo and a split rear lamp design. The square body also guarantees a lot of interior space for the segment, although the exact dimensions are still a mystery.

What we do know, is that the inside will only have two rows of seating. The dashboard consists of Opel’s ‘Pure Panel’, with two 10-inch digital displays. New is the option to connect your smartphone and make it the vehicle’s control panel. Other features include the Intelli-Seats, which relieve the pressure on the tailbone and improve long-distance comfort. The trunk offers 460 to 1,600 liters of space.

Hybrid or Electric

In terms of drivetrains, Opel keeps its promise by offering a fully-electric version of every model in its range. The Frontera will therefore be available with either a mild-hybrid gasoline engine, or a battery-electric drivetrain.

The German manufacturer hasn’t spoiled the details yet, but as the Frontera is based on the same CMP platform as pretty much every compact Stellantis model like the Peugeot 2008 and Citroën C4, we’re expecting a 1.2 Hybrid with 136 hp for the combustion option, and a 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor with a 54 kWh battery for the electric version, with a WLTP range of around 400 km. More info should follow in the coming months.