Vauxhall Frontera Electric Now Packs a 54kWh Battery, 253 Miles of Range, and 28-Minute Charging

Quick Highlights:

• Larger 54kWh battery replaces the old 44kWh pack
• The official WLTP range is up to 253 miles (GS trim) and 249 miles (Design trim).
• Efficiency improved to 3.9 miles per kWh (up from 3.4)
• 20–80% charge in just 28 minutes using a 100kW DC charger
• 3 h 25 min charge from 11kW AC public points; 5 h 5 min from 7kW home wallbox
• UK prices start at £27,495, deliveries from autumn 2025
• Likely eligible for the UK £1,500 Electric Car Grant (based on Citroën e-C3 Aircross approval)
• Available in two trims, Design and GS, plus petrol-hybrid versions.
• Aero upgrades include AAA-rated eco tyres, rear spoiler fins, and underbody aero tweaks

Bigger Battery, Longer Range

One of Britain’s cheapest EV SUVs just got a serious upgrade — the Vauxhall Frontera Electric now packs more miles, faster charging, and clever efficiency tweaks, all without breaking the £30k barrier.

The headline upgrade is a 54kWh battery (up from the previous 44kWh), lifting the WLTP range to up to 253 miles in GS trim or 249 miles in Design trim. That’s an official gain of +67 miles over the outgoing model’s 186 miles — putting the Frontera in line with rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Peugeot e-2008, both widely reviewed by What Car? and known for their impressive electric range.

The range jump comes with other subtle efficiency tweaks: AAA-rated eco tyres, a reshaped rear spoiler with fins, underbody aero changes, and lightweight wheel designs — all exclusive to the Extended Range model.

Faster Top-Ups

The new battery supports 100kW DC fast charging, giving a 20–80% top-up in 28 minutes — identical to the 44kWh version despite the larger battery, which is handy for long motorway trips.

It also includes an 11kW AC on-board charger, allowing a 20–80% charge in 3 h 25 min from an AC public point or 5 h 05 min from a 7kW home wallbox — perfect for cheap overnight charging and taking advantage of off-peak tariffs.

Same Motor, Solid Performance

The powertrain remains unchanged, with a 113PS (111bhp) front-mounted motor producing 125Nm (92 lb ft) of torque.

0–62 mph takes 13 seconds, just 0.2 seconds slower than the lighter 44kWh version, with a top speed of 88 mph.

Pricing That Stays Sensible

The Extended Range Frontera Electric starts at £27,495 in Design trim, with GS trim at £29,895. Both are under the UK Electric Car Grant threshold and below the luxury car tax limit. If the £1,500 grant applies (likely, based on the Citroën e-C3 Aircross), the entry price could drop to £25,995.

Design trim includes:

• 16-inch black steel wheels
• LED headlights
• Dual 10-inch widescreens
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging
• Cruise control, lane keep assist
• Rear camera and parking sensors

GS trim adds:

• 17-inch alloys
• Gloss-black door mirrors
• Tinted rear windows
• Silver skid plates
• Intelli-Seat front seats
• Blind-spot alert
• Front parking sensors

An optional Ultimate Pack (£450) adds heated seats, heated steering wheel, heated windscreen, roof rails, and LED fog lights.

Note: The Frontera Electric does not offer a seven-seat option, unlike the Hybrid GS variant.

Still Room for Petrol Power

For those not ready to go fully electric, the Frontera also comes as a 48V petrol-hybrid with a 1.2-litre turbo engine paired to a 21kW electric motor and 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Two outputs are available — 100hp or 136hp — with better low-speed efficiency and the ability to drive fully electric for short distances.

The Hybrid GS can even be ordered with seven seats — an option missing from the EV.

Practical Family EV

At 4,385mm long, the Frontera sits between the Vauxhall Mokka and Grandland in size. Boot space is 460 litres with seats up or 1,600 litres folded — beating even the Astra Sports Tourer Electric by 4 litres.

Roof load capacity tops 240kg (with optional roof rails), adding to the Frontera’s practical family appeal.

Electric All In Offer

Every Frontera Electric comes with Vauxhall’s Electric All In package:

• £500 towards a home wallbox or public charging credit
• 8 years’ roadside assistance (including emergency charging)
• 10,000 miles of free home charging when switching to Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus GO tariff

A Family EV That Makes Sense

With its longer range, quick charging, competitive pricing, and family-friendly space, the updated Frontera Electric Extended Range looks like one of the most practical small SUVs on sale.

It’s not a radical reinvention — but for budget-conscious buyers wanting a capable, well-equipped EV without range anxiety, it hits a very sweet spot.

Vauxhall Frontera – Key Specs & Prices

Source: Stellantis