Opel Frontera Start brings a lower price, a new 100-hp turbocharged engine and a practical equipment package to the German market, giving buyers more ways to configure the family-friendly SUV.
Opel is broadening the Frontera lineup with a new entry-level model designed to appeal to buyers who want the versatility of an SUV without stretching their budget. Called the Opel Frontera Start, the new base trim arrives in Germany with a starting price of €21,990 including VAT, making it the least expensive Opel currently available in the German market.
At the same time, Opel is introducing a new 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 74 kW (100 hp). The new powertrain expands the Frontera’s engine lineup and gives customers another choice alongside the hybrid and fully electric versions.
With four trim levels now available — Start, Edition, GS and Ultimate — Opel says the revised Frontera range is intended to make the model easier to configure while offering a clearer separation between equipment levels.
Opel Frontera Start Cuts the Entry Price
The biggest headline surrounding the new Frontera Start is its price.
Starting at €21,990 in Germany, the new model is €2,750 cheaper than the previous entry point. That positions the Frontera as a particularly aggressive proposition in the European family SUV segment, especially for buyers prioritizing practicality and affordability.
The new model retains the fundamental characteristics that define the Frontera: a relatively rugged exterior design, a spacious cabin and a flexible luggage compartment.
“The new Frontera Start is an attractive entry into the Opel brand – no other Opel car is currently available at a lower price,” said Patrick Dinger, Head of Opel Germany.
That positioning is important because the Frontera is intended to serve as an everyday family vehicle rather than simply another style-focused crossover.
New 100-HP 1.2-Liter Turbo Engine Joins the Range
The new 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine develops 100 hp (74 kW) and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
The engine is available not only in the Frontera Start but also across the other trim levels, including Edition, GS and Ultimate.
For buyers who prefer some degree of electrification, the Frontera Start can also be ordered with Opel’s hybrid powertrain. The hybrid version produces 81 kW (110 hp) of system power and uses a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
There is also a fully electric option in the form of the Frontera Electric Start. It combines an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor with a 44 kWh battery, of which 43 kWh is usable.
That gives the Frontera lineup three distinct powertrain approaches: conventional gasoline, hybrid and fully electric.
Practical Equipment Comes Standard
Despite its position as the entry-level model, the Opel Frontera Start is not stripped down to the point of feeling basic.
The standard equipment includes a six-way adjustable Intelli-Seat, featuring a central recess designed to improve comfort. Air conditioning is also standard, while a rear parking pilot and lane departure warning provide additional assistance in everyday driving.
A 10-inch driver information display provides vehicle information directly ahead of the driver.
Instead of requiring a conventional integrated infotainment system for every function, the Frontera Start also features a smartphone station on the center console, allowing occupants to use their own mobile device for personalized entertainment and connectivity.
This approach helps Opel keep the entry price low while maintaining the technology that many modern buyers expect from a new SUV.
Rugged Styling Sets the Frontera Start Apart
The Frontera Start retains the distinctive styling of the wider Frontera family but receives several details that emphasize its rugged character.
The exterior features black mirror housings and black bumpers, including a lower section designed to give the impression of underrun protection. The SUV rides on 16-inch steel wheels fitted with new black wheel covers.
The result is deliberately functional rather than luxurious, which suits the positioning of the Start model.
Customers can order the Frontera Start in Effekt Blue as the starting configuration, with the overall design continuing to emphasize the model’s upright proportions and practical SUV character.
460 Liters of Cargo Space
One of the Frontera’s strongest selling points remains interior practicality.
With all rear seats in their normal position, the SUV offers 460 liters of luggage capacity. Fold the rear seats down and available cargo volume increases to approximately 1,600 liters.
The rear seats split in a 60:40 configuration, allowing owners to balance passenger accommodation and cargo space depending on what they need to transport.
The Frontera also provides generous second-row space, making it particularly relevant to families who regularly carry adults or children in the rear seats.
The combination of a relatively compact footprint and useful cargo capacity is central to the Frontera’s appeal.
Optional Start Comfort Pack
Buyers looking for additional convenience can specify the Start Comfort Pack.
The package adds a dual-level boot floor, providing additional flexibility when organizing the luggage area. It also adds a makeup mirror to both the driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors.
It is a relatively simple option, but one that fits the Frontera Start’s practical philosophy rather than adding equipment simply for appearance.
Four Frontera Trim Levels
With the arrival of the Start, Opel now divides the Frontera range into four principal trim levels:
- Frontera Start – the new value-focused entry point
- Frontera Edition – the next step up in equipment
- Frontera GS – a more comprehensively equipped version
- Frontera Ultimate – the range-topping configuration
This structure gives customers a more straightforward path through the lineup, from the affordable Start model to the fully equipped Ultimate.
The strategy also allows Opel to address a wider range of buyers without forcing customers who prioritize price to pay for equipment they may not need.
Is the Opel Frontera Start a Good Value?
The new Opel Frontera Start makes a compelling argument for buyers who want a practical family SUV at a relatively accessible price.
Its biggest advantage is the combination of a €21,990 starting price, five-door SUV practicality, 460 liters of standard cargo space and a choice of gasoline, hybrid and electric powertrains.
The new 100-hp turbocharged engine is particularly significant because it gives buyers who do not want a hybrid or electric vehicle a straightforward entry point into the Frontera range.
At the other end of the spectrum, the availability of hybrid and electric models means customers who want to reduce fuel consumption or move to an EV do not necessarily have to choose another vehicle.
Source: Stellantis