Citroen
C3 Aircross
SUV · five or seven seats
- From
- £24,460
- Boot, 7 up
- 40 L
- Length
- 4,395mm
- Isofix
- 2
Vauxhall Frontera 7-seater
A short, low-cost SUV with an optional third row for children on GS and Ultimate trims.
- Price from
- £25,210
- Seats
- 5 or 7
- Isofix points
- 2
- Length
- 4,385mm
Quick answer
Is the Vauxhall Frontera a 7-seater?
Yes, in some versions. Seven seats are a £550 option on GS and Ultimate trims with the Turbo 100 petrol manual or the Hybrid 110 and Hybrid 145 automatics, while Design trim and the Frontera Electric are five-seat only.
Best for Budget buyers who sometimes carry two extra older children
On this page
At 4,385mm long, the Vauxhall Frontera 7-seater is the shortest seven-seater we track, and that shows in the back. The third row is for children who have outgrown car seats, as Auto Express says child seats cannot be fitted there. Vauxhall quotes no boot figure with all seven seats in use; with the third row folded there are 370 litres.
Vauxhall Frontera specifications
| Body | SUV |
|---|---|
| Seats | 5 or 7 |
| Seat layout | 2-3-2 |
| Boot, 5 seats up | 370 litres |
| Boot, maximum | 1,400 litres |
| Third row suits | Children |
| Isofix points | 2 (outer seats in row 2) |
| Isofix in row 3 | No |
| Length | 4,385mm |
|---|---|
| Width without mirrors | 1,795mm |
| Height | 1,627mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670mm |
| Fuel, with seven seats | Petrol, mild hybrid |
| Gearbox | Manual or automatic |
| Price from | £25,210 |
| Towing, braked | 1,250kg |
Vauxhall Frontera boot space
- 5 seats up
- 370L
- Maximum
- 1,400L
We have no verified boot figure with all seven seats in use yet. With five seats in use the boot holds 370 litres, rising to a maximum of 1,400 litres.
With all seven seats in use, expect very little luggage room: Vauxhall publishes no figure, according to Auto Express. The useful number is 370 litres with the third row folded, against 460 litres in the five-seat Frontera, and 1,400 litres with both rear rows down against about 1,600. So the seven-seat car gives up boot space even when the extra seats are stowed.
Because the two third-row seats fold one at a time, you can carry one extra child and still keep some of the boot.
How it is measured Auto Express figures for the seven-seat version (Drive gives the same): 370 litres with the third row folded and 1,400 litres with both rear rows folded; Auto Express says Vauxhall quotes no figure with all seven seats in use. The five-seat car has 460 litres, or about 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded (Opel, Auto Express, carwow). Measurement basis not stated.
Vauxhall Frontera dimensions
- Length
- 4,385mm4.38m · 14ft 5in
- Width
- 1,795mm1.79m · 5ft 11in
- Height
- 1,627mm1.63m · 5ft 4in
Wheelbase 2,670mmLength 4,385mmHeight 1,627mmWidth 1,795mm
At 4,385mm (4.38m, 14ft 5in) long, the Frontera is 489mm shorter than the median SUV, and the shortest of the 37 SUVs we track. It is 1,795mm wide without mirrors and 1,627mm tall. The wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles, is 2,670mm.
Third row: who fits?
Third row suitsChildren
Carwow says even Vauxhall accepts the extra seats really only suit children, and Auto Express advises against adults using them on long trips because leg and head room are tight. The two third-row seats fold down one at a time when not needed (Opel). Auto Express says child seats cannot be fitted in the third row.
Plan on the third row for children who no longer need a car seat. Auto Express says child seats cannot be fitted there and there is no Isofix, so anyone still in a car seat travels in the middle row, which has Isofix on its two outer seats.
That makes the Frontera a five-seater with two extra places for older children rather than a car for three young children in car seats. For that, see our guide to 7-seaters with three Isofix points.
- Seat
- Isofix point
- Best for children
- Driver
Isofix and child seats
2Isofix points
The Frontera has two Isofix points: outer seats in row 2. None are in the third row.
Engines and fuel economy
Gearbox: manual or automatic.
| Version | Fuel | Power | Gearbox | Seven seats | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Turbo 100 | Petrol | 100PS | Manual | Yes | Not published |
| 1.2 Hybrid 110 e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | 110PS | Automatic | Yes | Not published |
| 1.2 Hybrid 145 e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | 145PS | Automatic | Yes | Not published |
| Electric 83kW 44kWh | Electric | 113PS | Automatic | No | 188 miles |
| Electric 83kW 54kWh Extended Range | Electric | 113PS | Automatic | No | 248 miles |
Official fuel economy and CO2
| Variant | Fuel | Gearbox | MPG | CO2 g/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid 1.2 145 hp e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 57.6 | 111 |
| Hybrid 1.2 110 hp e-DCT6 (VL) | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 57.5 | 111 |
| Hybrid 1.2 110 hp e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 57.5 | 111 |
| Hybrid 1.2 145 hp e-DCT6 (VL) | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 57.4 | 111 |
| Hybrid 1.2 110 hp e-DCT6 (VH) | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 47.4 | 135 |
| Hybrid 1.2 110 hp e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 47.4 | 135 |
| Hybrid 1.2 145 hp e-DCT6 (VH) | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 47.3 | 135 |
| Hybrid 1.2 145 hp e-DCT6 | Mild hybrid | Automatic (6-speed) | 47.1 | 135 |
| 1.2 100PS 6-speed manual (VL) | Petrol | Manual (6-speed) | 50.2 | 127 |
| 1.2 100PS 6-speed manual (VH) | Petrol | Manual (6-speed) | 41.8 | 153 |
Source: Vehicle Certification Agency, data updated 4 October 2026.
Vauxhall Frontera price
From£25,210
Auto Express list price for the 1.2 Turbo GS 5dr [7 Seat] manual, the cheapest seven-seat version listed (Carbuyer shows the same £25,210); that is £550 more than the five-seat GS Turbo at £24,660. The cheapest seven-seat automatic is the Hybrid 110 GS at £27,925. Vauxhall's own UK site could not be read, so no manufacturer price was checked.
Prices checked October 2026.
Safety and recalls
DVSA recalls
The DVSA lists 5 recalls for the Frontera:
9 March 2026 · Ref R/2026/072 · 2,057 vehicles
Alternator protection
Affected vehicles may have been assembled with contact or with a reduced clearance between the Gasoline Particulate Filter pipe and the pole protection cap of the 48V Belt Starter Generator. There is a possibility of contact between these components leading to water infiltration and an electrical arch which could trigger a thermal event.
Remedy: Replace the pole protection cap of the 48V Belt Starter Generator. Check the distance between the Gasoline Particulate Filter pipe and the pole protection cap of the 48V Belt Starter Generator and re‑position or replace the pipe if required.
Built 30 July 2024 to 22 December 2025
6 March 2026 · Ref R/2025/545 · 101 vehicles
SLI disconnection to server “Here” not monitored.
On affected vehicles the front camera module calibration may be incorrect which may lead to non-compliance with the speed limit indication system regulatory requirement.
Remedy: Update the central vehicle management software.
Built 7 January 2025 to 23 October 2025
21 November 2025 · Ref R/2025/513 · 2,380 vehicles
Vauxhall Frontera Brake Pedal Bracket Connection.
On affected vehicles there may be an insufficient brake pedal bracket connection due to a missing or incorrectly assembled pin. If the pin falls out the brake pedal will potentially disengage.
Remedy: Check the brake pedal connection confirm proper assembly and rework it if necessary.
Built 3 September 2025 to 2 November 2025
2 September 2025 · Ref R/2025/362 · 353 vehicles
Frontera Risk of Brake Bar Welding Breakage
On affected vehicles there is a risk of the brake bar welding breaking leading to a complete loss of braking.
Remedy: Currently there is no determined remedy. You are advised not to drive the vehicle. The repairer will arrange a replacement mobility solution.
Built 10 June 2025 to 2 August 2025
12 February 1996 · Ref R/1996/012 · 40,042 vehicles
FUEL TANK PROTECTION
In the event of an exhaust tail pipe fracture an unacceptably high level of heat radiation may occur in the area surrounding the fuel tank.
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles for the installation of a protective shield over the fuel tank.
Built 1 April 1996
Recall data updated 4 October 2026. Ask a dealer to check a specific car by its registration.
Vauxhall Frontera verdict: pros and cons
Our verdict The Frontera is one of the cheapest and shortest ways into seven seats, and the third row is a low-cost option. Treat it as a five-seater with two extra places for children who have outgrown car seats.
Pros
- Third row is a low-cost option on GS and Ultimate trims
- One of the shortest 7-seaters on sale, at 4,385mm
- Seven seats with a petrol manual or hybrid automatics
Cons
- No published boot figure with all seven seats in use
- Child seats cannot be fitted in the third row
- Frontera Electric and Design trim are five-seat only
Good to know
- The Frontera Electric offers a 44kWh battery (188 miles WLTP) or a 54kWh Extended Range battery (248 miles), but only with five seats (Auto Express)
- Auto Express's review text says seven seats are limited to hybrids, but its current price list also shows seven-seat GS and Ultimate versions of the manual Turbo 100 petrol (Auto Express, Carbuyer)
- Euro NCAP had not published a Frontera rating when carwow, Auto Express and Drive reviewed it (carwow, Auto Express, Drive)
- Auto Express gives 1,250kg braked towing for the hybrid, while carwow quotes 1,050kg to 1,250kg depending on version (Auto Express, carwow)
- Opel quotes 1,849mm wide with the mirrors folded and 1,635mm tall for a GS seven-seater, against the 1,795mm and 1,627mm (1,655mm with roof rails) listed by Auto Express, carwow and Carbuyer (Opel, Auto Express, Carbuyer)
Practicality
Few 7-seaters are easier to park: the Frontera is 4,385mm long and 1,795mm wide without its mirrors. Published widths and heights vary with trim and roof rails, though, so check the figures for your car if your garage is tight.
For an automatic with seven seats, pick one of the hybrids, as the Turbo 100 petrol is manual only. Euro NCAP had not rated the Frontera when the main reviews were published. Compare it with other small 7-seaters and cheap 7-seater cars.
Alternatives to the Vauxhall Frontera
Vauxhall Frontera FAQs
How long is the Vauxhall Frontera?
The Vauxhall Frontera is 4,385mm long (4.38m, 14ft 5in), 1,795mm wide without its mirrors and 1,627mm tall.
Can adults sit in the third row of the Vauxhall Frontera?
Not comfortably. The third row is best kept for children.
Is there a hybrid Vauxhall Frontera 7-seater?
Yes. With seven seats you can have mild hybrid versions.
How much is the seven-seat option on the Vauxhall Frontera?
Seven seats are a £550 option on GS and Ultimate trims, according to Auto Express. The cheapest seven-seater is the 1.2 Turbo GS manual, and the cheapest seven-seat automatic is the Hybrid 110 GS. We could not read Vauxhall's own price list, so confirm the latest figure with a dealer.
Can you fit a child seat in the Vauxhall Frontera's third row?
No. Auto Express says child seats cannot be fitted in the third row, and there are no Isofix points there. Child seats go in the middle row, where the two outer seats have Isofix, so the third row suits children who have outgrown car seats.
How much can the Vauxhall Frontera tow?
Auto Express gives a 1,250kg braked limit for the hybrid, while carwow quotes 1,050kg to 1,250kg depending on the version. That covers a small trailer, but check the exact figure for your engine before you buy a caravan.
Sources Auto Express, Carbuyer Frontera 1.2 Turbo GS [7 Seat], carwow, Opel Frontera GS seven-seater, Drive (formerly Honest John) Frontera review, Express & Star (14 May 2024), Opel, Drive, DVSA, VCA
