The ageing Vauxhall Crossland is set to be replaced by an all-new small SUV in the not-too-distant future, and our spy photographers have caught the car testing once again. Like its Mokka sibling, the new model will be available with a choice of petrol or electric power, and could even revive the Vauxhall Frontera name from the brand’s past.
Vauxhall is undergoing a design revolution. We’ve just seen the future-gazing Experimental concept, while the Astra is now one of the better-looking hatchbacks on sale. The aforementioned Mokka is no longer a dowdily-designed upright soft-roader but a style-led SUV, and now the firm is readying a new small crossover for 2024 to sit alongside it as a practicality-focused offering for buyers who want more space and utility.
The latest spy pictures, along with our own exclusive images, give us a good idea of how the new Frontera might look. Boxier than the old Crossland, and favouring a more conventional SUV shape, the revised model will get a bluff front end and the now synonymous Vauxhall ‘Vizor’ grille, plus a tall roofline and flatter rear.
This switch in positioning will mean the Crossland replacement will morph into a rival for family cars from Dacia – such as the Jogger and Duster SUV – and the Citroen C3 Aircross. The Vauxhall’s overall design is intended to convey a chunky, more robust look in comparison with the fashion focused approach of the Mokka.
Buyers can expect a good level of luggage room and interior space, despite the fact the new Crossland replacement will have a relatively compact footprint. And as with the Jogger, Vauxhall’s new small SUV could be offered with three rows of seats to maximise usability.
The new images show the car testing at higher speeds – previously we’d only seen the model in slow-speed urban environments. The more upright stance appears to be producing considerable body lean, though the suspension and damping is likely to still be under development. The Crossland replacement is expected to use the same CMP platform found under myriad Stellantis SUVs like the Citroen C4, DS 3 and Jeep Avenger.
While the Frontera name isn’t yet confirmed, sister brand Opel’s Chief Operating Officer, Uwe Hochgeschurtz has spoken with Auto Express about potentially reviving historical badges – including the likes of Calibra, Rekord, Ascona, Monza, Frontera and Senator.
Hochgeschurtz has talked openly about potentially reviving the Manta name (likely for a production SUV inspired by the Experimental concept), citing the emotion this would bring to a new product. He replied to our question by saying, “I would be surprised if you will not find one of your names in one of our future products”, and when pushed further, outlining that the market is moving towards SUVs and only one name in the list referenced an SUV, Hochgeschurtz replied, “You are like my kids when they ask about their Christmas presents. I don’t tell them and they ask if it is big or small, black or white. You are smarter than my kids…”
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Moving to CMP means the new car will offer pure-petrol, mild-hybrid petrol and full EV powertrain options. The petrol engine will be Vauxhall’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo, likely in 99bhp and 128bhp outputs, with the potential for a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
As part of a raft of updates to its best-selling Corsa supermini, Vauxhall admitted earlier this year that a new 48-volt mild-hybrid option will join the range at a later date, so it’s almost certain the new crossover will also feature this powertrain, too. It is likely to be an electrified version of the 1.2-litre unit, producing 136bhp and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that houses the car’s compact electric motor.
Vauxhall also said earlier this year that it would offer a fully electric version of its entire line-up by 2024, while the CEO of sister brand Opel, Florian Huettl, outlined that “With the successor to the Crossland, we will make the fun of battery-electric driving available across our entire model range, and give our customers access to locally emissions-free mobility in every one of our models.” He stopped short of confirming it as the next Crossland, hinting at a possible name change for the model.
The CMP platform that many Vauxhalls are based on was recently upgraded, adding a bigger 54kWh battery for additional range and a more powerful 152bhp motor. Again, this tech will be available in the Corsa, but it will be sold alongside the original 50kWh battery and 134bhp motor combination, so it’s possible that Vauxhall could also take this approach with its newest SUV, giving buyers a more budget-focused EV option.
Only the smaller battery and less powerful motor combination is offered in the Mokka Electric, with a claimed range of 209 miles, so expect a similar figure for the 50kWh-equipped Crossland replacement. The punchier 54kWh car could offer as much as an extra 25 miles of range. Both vehicles will benefit from 100kW rapid-charging capability, meaning a 10-80 per cent top-up will take around 30 minutes.
This new technology underneath the car’s skin will be joined by a total tech overhaul inside, with the small SUV likely to feature Vauxhall’s Pure Panel infotainment set-up. In the Mokka there are seven-inch digital dash and infotainment screens on offer, increasing to a 10-inch touchscreen with a 12-inch dashboard panel depending on trim level. It’s likely that the Design, GS and Ultimate range structure will be carried over from other Vauxhall models.
Given the expected focus on value for money, the replacement for the Crossland could be priced from less than £25,000 when it goes on sale following its reveal in the first half of 2024. The all-electric model is likely to cost from around £36,000.
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