In an industry first, Vauxhall has confirmed its new Frontera compact SUV will be launched with price parity for electric and petrol-powered models.
The average list price difference across the wider market between an electric and petrol car is currently 31%. That has been reduced to 0% with the new Frontera.
So, for £23,495, entry-level customers will be able to choose either an EV version with a 111bhp front-mounted electric motor and 44kWh battery, giving a claimed range of up to 186 miles, or a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid with total power of 99bhp.
The hybrid will come with a choice of five or seven seats, while the EV will be a five-seater only. Additionally, a ‘Long Range’ EV version will arrive in 2025 with a range of up to 248 miles.
The Frontera, which is a replacement for the Crossland, will sit between the Mokka and upcoming all-new Grandland in the Vauxhall range.
The launch of the new model also marks the return of the Frontera name, which was originally used on a forgettable SUV in the 1990s.
The all-new Frontera’s many rivals include the Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Ford Puma, Kia Soul, Dacia Duster and Nissan Qashqai.
New research has revealed the best cars for new drivers when it comes to retaining their value.
According to Uswitch.com car insurance experts, the 2017 Hyundai Kona is the car with the highest value retention, with the vehicle retaining 64% of its original purchase price after use.
The Ford Puma comes in second, with 59% of its original value still intact, while Skoda is the car manufacturer that retains the majority of its original value.
Buying a car is one of the most significant purchases a new driver can make, but on average, new cars depreciate in value by 15-35% in their first years on the road, so new drivers should carefully consider how much of their car’s price tag they expect to get back after selling.
Uswitch.com compared the prices of the most popular cars for first time buyers when bought new, against the average price when it had driven 40,000 to 60,000 miles, to determine which car retained the most of its original value.
Best cars for retaining value for first-time drivers
We test the chunky crossover version of Toyota’s fuel-efficient Yaris…
Since childhood, we have been told that practice makes perfect. We have learned that nothing is achieved or improved without hard work and repetition. As the great golfer, Gary Player, once said: “The harder I practice, the luckier I get.”
All manufacturing and technical companies focus on one aspect of their general operations so that they become expert and gain a certain reputation that attracts clients who have confidence in their products and services.
Car companies are no different. For example, Porsche’s cars are dynamic to drive with supreme build quality, while Skodas are spacious and deliver great value for money.
Toyota is known for many things – and hybrid technology is right up there. The Japanese giant was the first to launch a mainstream model that combined petrol and electric drive with the Prius in 2000 (UK debut). What’s more, it’s been able to use that knowledge and expertise gained over the years to constantly improve the system and apply it to a broader range of models.
The highly successful Yaris supermini has become a hybrid-only car since its last major update in 2020 and combines a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a small battery and electric motor.
Now, to compete in the currently popular small SUV sector, Toyota has launched the Yaris Cross, which has the same chassis and powertrain, but rides higher and has an off-roader look.
The electric motor produces up to 79bhp and the maximum output for petrol and electric combined is 116bhp. The gearbox is an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and drive is through the front wheels.
There will be a four-wheel drive option in due course but you will pay an extra £2,360 for the benefit. The range offers five levels of trim and equipment – Icon, Design, Excel, Dynamic and Premiere edition.
However, even the base Icon has keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear camera, climate control and adaptive cruise control.
My test car came in Design trim with a ticket price of £24,140 and added LED lighting, 20:40:20 folding seats and 17-inch alloys, though the slightly bigger 9.0-inch infotainment screen (usually 8.0-inch) was an extra £500.
The Yaris Cross looks smart and the bodywork boasts the usual rugged black plastic wheel-arch extensions and raised ride height shared with other small SUVs. If anything it’s more baby RAV4 than big Yaris.
The interior is basically the same as the new Yaris hatchback, which means that it’s clear, functional, modern and features the latest technology.
Rear space is pretty good for two with average knee room, but would be a push for three adults. The boot is roomy at 397 litres (expanding to 1,097 litres with the rear seats flipped down). A raised and flat false floor is available on higher trim levels.
So how does all this cutting-edge hybrid technology work on the road? Is it smooth in operation and does it provide decent fuel economy?
Well, the clever electronics ensure that the Yaris runs on pure electric power up to 30mph until the battery runs out or you need extra acceleration. It then transfers to hybrid drive and the change is seamless. Engine noise is suppressed and the CVT transmission works well, as long as you don’t floor the accelerator, at which point the revs shoot up.
A dashboard display tells you how much electric driving you are doing and the state of the battery. I found that this encourages a gentler driving style which can only benefit economy.
In fact, despite an officially quoted fuel consumption of 55-60mpg, I managed to get an indicated 70mpg on a particular varied run without too much trouble. Impressive stuff. The handling is pretty good and the steering is sharp, though some may find the ride is on the firm side.
Overall, it would be wrong to call it a dynamic drive, but then it’s not designed for that. Buy the awesome GR Yaris if you want serious fun.
So, job done for the boldy styled, spacious new Yaris Cross, which works as a good value, fuel-efficient commuter or small family car.
Test Facts
Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 VVT-i Design
Body: Five door SUV
Engine: 1.0 litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol / electric hybrid
The Hyundai Kona has been crowned Car of the Year in the annual Auto Express Driver Power new-car survey.
The Kia Rio supermini finished second in the UK’s most comprehensive and respected car-ownership satisfaction survey, with the Mazda CX-5 SUV in third.
Each year, thousands of motorists rate their cars in dozens of areas, providing Auto Express with valuable quotes, all of which help to build an accurate picture of what new cars are really like to live with.
Owners graded each of the 75 cars in the survey across 10 categories, assessing areas such as reliability, practicality, handling, performance, and infotainment, over a series of 35 questions, generating tens of thousands of data points from thousands of respondents.
For 2021, the Driver Power survey saw a raft of improvements, including the introduction of new questions regarding the effectiveness of in-car safety systems and the ease with which these systems can be switched on and off.
A question asking owners how happy they are with the balance between touchscreen inputs and physical controls is also new for this year, while a new value for money category has also been introduced.
Top 10 cars in the 2021 Driver Power new-car survey
