Family car for little money: Big tour in the small Opel Frontera with impressive battery

A universally usable electric car for a reasonably affordable price, is that possible? The Opel Frontera SUV certainly is. ntv.de had the opportunity to drive the version with the larger battery over a longer distance for the first time.

Electric cars are often said to be too expensive for families. Of course, if you're interested in a used car with a lot of miles on the clock that you can pick up for under €10,000, a brand-new battery-powered vehicle is out of the question. But there's also a critical mass of buyers who have a budget of around €30,000 for a new car – and for such sums, you can get increasingly more practical products in the electric segment, not just small cars for urban areas without any significant luggage space.

The family-friendly Opel Frontera, for example, is available as a battery-electric version starting at an affordable €28,990. This is a fairer price, especially since the car offers plenty of space. At 4.39 meters, it may be short, but it's built so boxy that the trunk, even in the base configuration, holds a hefty 460 liters—ample for such a compact vehicle. With the rear seats folded down, it expands to 1,600 liters.

Opel gives more space for luggage than for passengers in the second row, as legroom isn't quite as generous there. But always consider the vehicle class—and for people who aren't quite fully grown, the space is definitely sufficient.

But why does it have to be electric? After all, the Frontera is also available as a hybrid, and even more affordable. But not with this drivetrain culture! And this message apparently hasn't yet reached some electric skeptics. Especially in affordable vehicle segments, the electric engine is significantly more pleasant. Instead of a blaring three-cylinder engine, you simply hear – very little. The high-torque engine quietly propels the all-rounder, weighing 1.6 tons in this case, up to speed.

Of course, please don't confuse the Frontera with one of the many electric athletes. Of course, a compact car with 113 hp isn't a race car. The Opel's superiority doesn't come from its power, but from its seamless character. There are no gear changes, and therefore no interruption in traction. As a result, the vehicle is not only quieter but also more nimble in everyday use than a gasoline engine with the same engine power. The manufacturer admits that the extended-range version tested here is no miracle of acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of 14.2 seconds. It tops out at 143 km/h. But in practical use, it feels considerably more lively than the figures in the data sheet suggest.

The Frontera has something comfortable

And it's even quite comfortable, because the battery in the underbody gives the car a certain weight, which affects its handling. The Frontera absorbs bumps with a stoic manner, never seeming to wobble on the axles like smaller cars can sometimes do. And because the Rüsselsheim-based car is equipped with relatively modest 17-inch wheels (60 series), it also does a good job of smoothing out stubborn asphalt bumps.

ntv.de drove the little car about 350 kilometers through northeastern Germany and opted for the version with ten kWh more battery capacity. The unit then draws energy from a total of 54 kWh of electricity and allows for a range of just over 406 kilometers (WLTP). The surcharge over the base model is €2,200. However, anyone on longer trips will inevitably have to make the occasional charging stop—that's true.

However, charging is possible at up to 100 kW, which is acceptable given the small battery. In a charging test, ntv.de was able to increase the range from 64 to 216 kilometers in around 20 minutes in cool autumnal temperatures. This is a solid, solid value and completely acceptable for this vehicle class. Anyone who drives the Hessian car on a daily basis over shorter distances and plans one or two longer vacation trips per year should be able to cope with the charging performance and range. However, for a 600-kilometer journey, you would realistically have to plan for two or three charging stops of 20 or 25 minutes each – just to give you an idea of ​​what a long-distance trip with the compact Frontera is like.

Anyone who actually plans to use the Opel on longer journeys occasionally should invest €3,500 for the better-equipped GS line. This offers more comfortable seats and a large touchscreen with smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). LED headlights and parking sensors are always on board, with the GS also featuring sensors in the front and a rearview camera. Those who prefer a cozy winter get a heated steering wheel and heated seats for an additional €650.

The bottom line is that the Frontera is an honest, simple piece of metal with a touch of utility, such as the double trunk floor. But it's by no means ascetic; the interior is also neatly styled, with a finely designed display front and fashionable elements like the steering wheel and center console.

Why the product managers decided to forego the extremely convenient keyless locking system remains a mystery. Instead, you simply start the car with a key and key bit, just like in the old days. In this way, the Frontera unwittingly delivers a bit of nostalgia. Fitting for the model name, which, after all, depicts a piece of Opel history.