Affordable Opel Frontera Offers Generous Interior Space
Make way for Opel's newest addition, the Frontera — a budget-friendly, family-focused SUV armed with plenty of space and straightforward features.
If you're seeking a budget-friendly family vehicle with a roomy interior, the brawny Opel Frontera might just be the perfect fit for you. Incorporating practicality without putting a strain on your wallet, this car boasts an enticing combination of affordability and generous space.
Setting the stage inside, the Frontera promises plentiful roominess without landing in a realm of exorbitant cost. Striving for balance, it offers the option for a stylish upgrade on top of its excellent value — ready to cater to those in search of a family vehicle that marries practicality with a touch of chic flair.
Within Opel's vast crossover collection, the Frontera opts to position itself between the existing models, sharing the trail with the discontinued Crossland, regarding size. At approximately 4.39 meters, it measures just a smidgen longer than the Mokka and preserves a 25-centimeter gap from the compact SUV Grandland.
Interestingly, the Frontera makes its way as the most cost-effective of the trio. The base model kicks off at €24,000, somehow undercutting the smaller, trendier Mokka by €2,700. This is due, in part, to the Frontera's construction on the "Smart-Car" platform used worldwide by Stellantis for their affordable, entry-level vehicles.
A Frugal Approach Hard to Detect
Opel's cost-saving strategies on the Frontera are barely perceptible at first glance, particularly in the pricier trim levels. Boasting a contemporary appearance both inside and out, the mid-range tastefully showcases a touch of lifestyle appeal, camouflaging Opel's budget-driven design choices.
The Frontera underwent the spotlight test drive in a two-tone finish, with a white roof and white steel wheels that contrast effectively with the dark green body. The smart, boxy silhouette further emphasizes a solid, SUV-worthy vibe.
Unleashing its secret weapon — the cargo area, the Frontera triumphs with an impressive offering of 460 to 1,600 liters of storage space, often found only in larger crossovers. The flat loading floor sporting a storage compartment beneath and the relatively low loading height simplify everyday loading, making the Frontera a top contender in the practicality stakes. Although a third row of seats can be added for combustion engine models, it's best suited for younger passengers.
Stylish Inside, Modest Quality
The cabin boasts an attractive layout integrated with thoughtful accents, such as vehicle graphics on the rubber mats and a cargo net in the center console. Upon closer inspection, flawed construction materials reveal themselves, with hard plastic abundant in door panels, including the plastic door handles, and an unrefined dashboard.
Optimism wanes as one takes a closer look at the seat quality, as the seats employ modest materials characterized by adequate support and limited side bolstering. Arguably, the seat length might be insufficient for average-sized drivers.
Opel exercised discipline in its selection of powertrains. The test vehicle was driven by a 1.2-liter, 107 kW (can be translated to 145 PS in European units) three-cylinder, gasoline engine synced with mild hybrid technology, running alongside a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine aspires to offer an energetic performance, positioning the all-wheel-drive Frontera within the leading ranks of compact performance.
Integrating an electric motor, the powertrain ensures an enthusiastic launch, maintaining an engaging response and tackles low power demands in city driving with ease. Fuel economy, on the other hand, suffers unflattering results, with the Frontera displaying high 6-liter consumption ratings.
Steady and Composed
Road trials of the Opel Frontera demonstrated a steady, composed performance, as the solid composition fit for a family vehicle tends to absorb vibrations with quiet efficiency. The well-controlled high body proves adaptable to quick cornering, and the light steering offers a convenient maneuverability for city driving.
Those seeking a more exciting driving experience should probably explore other options. The Frontera's potential buyer, conversely, tends to give priority to affordability, especially for city and shorter trips.
Pricing-wise, the base "Edition" model inherits the most fundamental features for €24,000 with minor improvements to price after adding four-wheel drive (€25,700 for the 145 PS model). Even so, the central display is conspicuously absent here, with Opel providing a phone holder and an associated app for radio and navigation controls instead. Standard features include alarm and anti-theft protection, as well as metallic paint applied for free.
Given that the Frontera appeals to first-time car buyers, the "GS" version efficiently targets this market, complete with touchscreen control, two-tone paint, and a rearview camera. With a price tag of €27,400, however, the 110 hp version approaches the €30,000 mark. When paying a slight premium, one can expect little more from the Opel Frontera than competing models. Motors such as the Dacia Duster and the Citroën C3 Aircross cannot manage to beat the Frontera on price.
So, if finding an affordable vehicle with ample space and a reasonably spacious trunk is your priority, Opel's latest crossover could well be your heaven-sent choice. While it may not boast the premier composition and materials of its Opel sisters, the Mokka and Grandland, its competitive pricing compensates for the compromises. Provided you don't require driving dynamics meant for a sportier vehicle, the Opel Frontera presents itself as a worthy contender among compact family cars.
Opel Frontera 2025 Key Features:
- Size: 4.39 meters (L) x 1.85 meters (W) x 1.64 meters (H)
- Seating Capacity: 5 occupants
- WLTP Range (base): 306 km (334 km with efficient driving)
- WLTP Consumption: 6.6 liters/100 km
- Electric Motor: 83 kW (113 hp)
- Seating with 3rd Row (gasoline models only): Available at additional cost
Input Source: ntv.de, Holger Holzer, sp-x
Related Models:
- Compact Class: Opel Mokka, Opel Grandland
Interesting Fact: The Opel Frontera 2025 will be an all-electric compact SUV with various power, battery, charging, and range specifications. This modern-day Frontera will serve as a practical and cost-efficient choice within Opel's electric SUV lineup, making it an enticing alternative to the brand's other SUV models, including the Mokka and Grandland. A higher-spec variant, the Opel Frontera Electric GS, is also in the works, featuring improvements in battery capacity and power output. Additional details on the Opel Frontera 2025, including pricing, release date, and other key specifications, have yet to be officially disclosed.
- The Frontera's manufacturing process entails the utilization of materials from various categories, excluding those belonging to its own product category.
- This home-and-garden-friendly SUV caters to individuals seeking a practical and stylish lifestyle in their vehicles.
- Its intriguing collection of gadgets and smartphone integrations makes the Frontera an appealing choice for tech enthusiasts.
- In the realm of technology, the Frontera's electric-vehicle counterpart is expected to join Opel's lineup, positioning it as an affordable and efficient alternative in the EV sector.
- Considering its sporty appearance, the Frontera, with its spacious interiors, offers an enticing blend for sports enthusiasts seeking a family vehicle, especially those who follow European leagues and the Premier League.
- As the football season approaches, fans could soon find themselves cruising in Fronteras, boasting comfortable drive experiences, whether watching matches on the go or attending games in cars fitted with quality car-maintenance features.
