Cars are becoming more and more expensive, especially SUVs, which are gradually becoming the only options left for families, as minivans and station wagons leave the market.
However, SUVs often make concessions on practical aspects in favor of style. So to offer an alternative to former MPV customers, manufacturers are developing more versatile crossovers without the utilitarian aspect of an MPV, such as the Dacia Jogger. It seems that Opel wants to take a similar direction with its next SUV, which will take up the Frontera name that disappeared around twenty years ago.
It could occupy the place of the current Crossland in the range, which has struggled to justify its existence since the arrival of the Mokka, Opel’s other city SUV. “The new Opel Frontera will offer a high level of roominess and versatility to appeal to customers with active lifestyles and families alike”announces Opel about its next SUV, which “will be a fun model offering smart features.
This description seems to correspond to a model more focused on practical aspects and certainly more affordable than the Grandland compact SUV, like the Dacia Jogger compared to the Duster.
Technically, the new Frontera could be the technical cousin of the next Citroën C3 Aircross and take up its STLA Smart Car platform initially studied for more compact models. The Dacia Jogger also shares its platform with the Sandero, in particular. However, for the moment at least, Opel is not announcing any seven-seater version, unlike the C3 Aircross and Jogger.
A new category of SUV, between city and compact models
The first two teasers published by Opel allow us to observe more cubic lines than the other SUVs in the range. The proportions should be close to those of the next C3 Aircross, which could grow a lot and reach almost 4.40 m. The new Frontera will display a style “robust” and will offer a new interpretation of the Opel Blitz; the brand logo which has evolved slightly recently.
This new model will be presented during 2024 and will be available in electric and thermal versions, like the C3 Aircross. Like him, the Frontera will have to face competition from a new Renault model. The latter should be positioned in the same category of SUVs, more versatile than city models, but more affordable than compact models.