New boxier Vauxhall Crossland replacement spotted on test in latest pictures

• Based on the Vauxhall Mokka
• Electric model likely to get 250-mile electric range
• Could revive the ‘Frontera’ badge

Development of Vauxhall’s electric Crossland replacement is well underway, and the brand has been busy out on test with the car, which we’ve spied clad in camouflage in the latest pictures. The new Crossland replacement, which could be called the Vauxhall ‘Frontera’, is expected to be offered as a petrol or electric car in a similar vein to the smaller Vauxhall Mokka. The new car is expected to use the same platform as its smaller sibling, which happens to also be used for the Citroen C4, DS 3 and Jeep Avenger.

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The most recent images of the Crossland replacement show the car being tested at higher speeds than before. The SUV currently seems to be suffering a fair amount of body lean as evidenced in the spy shots, but it’s likely the brand is still tweaking suspension and damping settings at this stage.

With hints gleaned from recent spy shots, our exclusive renders show what we expect the small SUV to look like. It gets an unashamedly upright, boxy design that should prioritise practicality over sleekness. It also sports the brand’s latest Vauxhall ‘Vizor’ front end, and the rear gets a fashionable light bar uniting the taillights across a wide-opening tailgate.

While there’s no confirmed name for the prototype model as yet, there are rumours the company could revive the Vauxhall Frontera nameplate for the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc rival, in a bid to attract buyers fond of its heritage. The new EV will be based on very similar underpinnings to the Vauxhall Mokka, albeit with a greater focus on practicality and usability.

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There’s a chance the new SUV could also come with the option of a third row of seating, in a similar vein to the Dacia Jogger MPV.

Lightning bolt logos on the camouflaged model’s livery confirmed the car will be available with an electric powertrain. It could possibly get cheaper petrol, and mild-hybrid versions as well, although nothing is yet official.

Given its Mokka underpinnings, we expect the Crossland replacement to get its 54kWh battery paired with a 154bhp electric motor. This would give the new car an electric range of up to 250 miles to a charge, and would likely be available with 100kW rapid charging capability, meaning a 10-80% top up would be possible in just over 30 minutes. 

The brand currently sells the aforementioned powertrain in the updated Vauxhall Corsa, alongside an older and more affordable version with a 50kWh battery and 134bhp motor, and there’s a chance it may do the same for the new SUV to give buyers a lower-cost option.

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If a petrol version does make the lineup, we’d expect it to use the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo used in the Corsa, likely available in both 99bhp and 128bhp versions, paired with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. A new 1.2-litre mild-hybrid version of the Corsa’s engine with 136bhp is also expected to join the Crossland replacement’s lineup.

The new Vauxhall Crossland replacement is expected to get a full reveal later this year before it goes on sale in 2024. This is expected to happen alongside the release of a new, facelifted version of the Mokka. No pricing has been confirmed, but we’d expect the electric SUV to start from around £35,000 – though entry-level petrol engined versions should cost much less.

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