Opel has officially expanded the lineup of its family SUV with the introduction of a new 74 kW (100 CV) turbo gasoline engine and a base trim level called Start, priced competitively at €17,900 in Italy under specific promotional financing terms.
The Bottom Line
- Aggressive Pricing Entry: The Opel Frontera Start drops the baseline entry point to €17,900 down from its standard €22,700 list price when paired with trade-in and Opel Choice financing.
- Powertrain Diversification: The vehicle introduces a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder turbo gasoline engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, expanding choices alongside existing hybrid and full-electric variants.
- Utility Retention: Despite the lower cost and stripped-down entry trims, cargo capacity remains at 460 liters, expanding to about 1,600 liters with the rear seats folded.
Decoding the €17,900 Entry-Level Strategy
Here is the math. The list price for the entry-level vehicle is set at €22,700, but promotional discounts tied to trade-in (permuta/rottamazione) and the “Scelta Opel” financing structure compress the transactional floor down to €17,900 (chiavi in mano in Italy, excluding IPT). It is noted that this powertrain mirrors setups deployed across other Stellantis models, such as the Peugeot 208, sharing a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder architecture coupled with a manual 6-speed gearbox.
Interior Package and Structural Compromises
The baseline Start trim excludes a traditional embedded infotainment touchscreen, substituting it instead with a designated smartphone station on the central console that integrates the driver’s mobile device as the vehicle’s primary digital interface.
Despite these adjustments, fundamental ergonomics remain intact. Drivers receive the Intelli-Seat arrangement featuring a six-way adjustment mechanism and a central indentation. Safety tech includes standard rear parking assist and lane departure warnings, alongside a 10-inch driver information display. For buyers seeking slightly more refinement, the Start Comfort Pack adds a dual-level boot floor and integrated vanity mirrors.
Powertrain Ecosystem and Market Positioning
But the broader catalog tells a different story regarding propulsion variety. While the new 74 kW (100 CV) turbo gasoline variant commands attention for its low cost of entry, the Frontera platform continues to support electrified iterations. Buyers can scale up to an 81 kW (110 CV) electrified hybrid system featuring a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, or opt for the Frontera Electric Start packing an 83 kW (113 CV) motor powered by a 44 kWh battery pack (43 kWh usable capacity).
| Trim Level | Powertrain | Power Output | Promotional Price (Italy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontera Start | 1.2L Turbo Gasoline (Manual 6-Speed) | 74 kW (100 CV) | €17,900 (List: €22,700) |
| Frontera Start Hybrid | Electrified Hybrid (Dual-Clutch) | 81 kW (110 CV) | Available on request |
| Frontera Electric Start | Full Electric (44 kWh Battery) | 83 kW (113 CV) | Available on request |
Cargo flexibility underpins the practical utility of the vehicle. The chassis maintains a standard luggage capacity of 460 liters with all seats upright. Dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear bench expands total volume to approximately 1,600 liters, matching the utility metrics of higher-tier trims within the Frontera family.
Financial Outlook for European Crossover Segments
For now, the introduction of the manual 100 CV Frontera establishes a distinct cost benchmark in the compact SUV category.
