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Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2019) vs Vauxhall Frontera
Selected trimPremium 28kWh · 2016-19124 mi · 28 kWh · £28,995
Selected trimDesignChange trim186 mi · 44 kWh · £23,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai IONIQ Electric leads on family practicality and running costs, while the Vauxhall Frontera counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2019) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai IONIQ Electric edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
Hyundai
5
Vauxhall
5
Too close to call
Motorway Range
Hyundai
3.3
Vauxhall
3.6
Too close to call
FamilyHyundai
Hyundai
6.9
Vauxhall
3
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
7.4
Vauxhall
6.2
City Driving
Hyundai
6.7
Vauxhall
6.7
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Vauxhall Frontera
Design
- £5,000 cheaper
- 62 miles more WLTP range
- 110 litres more boot space
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £28,995 | £23,995 (better) |
| Official range | 124 miles | 186 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 350 L | 460 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 10.2 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
Size Comparison
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Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Vauxhall Frontera
Length
Hyundai IONIQ Electric4,470mm
Vauxhall Frontera4,385mm-85mm
Width
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,820mm
Vauxhall Frontera1,795mm-25mm
Height
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,450mm-210mm
Vauxhall Frontera1,660mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,470 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,820 mm | 1,795 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,065 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 11.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 580 mm spare | 605 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L | 460 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1417 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- At 4,470 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
Vauxhall Frontera
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 28kWh |  Vauxhall Frontera Design |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.38m-85mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.79m-25mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.66m+210mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.67m-30mm |
| Ground Clearance | 140mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L | 460L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1417L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 11.05m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,420kg (better) | 1,573kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 28kWh | 44kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 124 mi | 186 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 70kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £28,995 | £23,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £28,995 (not eligible) | £22,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2016–2019 | 2025+ |
* Vauxhall Frontera: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 124 miles | 186 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 155 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 70 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 6.6 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 25.2 kWh | 43.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 10.2 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
| Power | 88 kW (better) | 83 kW |
| Torque | 295 Nm (better) | 125 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 28kWh
Vauxhall Frontera
Design
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 28kWh
Tested 2016
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist86%
Euro NCAP - Vauxhall Frontera Design
Vauxhall Frontera Design
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 201,168 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Frontera
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
No active listings.
Vauxhall Frontera
- £15,9492026Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai IONIQ Electric worth the extra £5,000 over the Vauxhall Frontera?
The Hyundai IONIQ Electric costs £5,000 more than the Vauxhall Frontera. For that premium it adds a 1.9s quicker 0-62mph time. The Vauxhall Frontera is not just cheaper - it also offers 62 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and 110 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric or the Vauxhall Frontera?
The Vauxhall Frontera is £5,000 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Vauxhall Frontera comes out roughly £4,960 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and 155 miles for the Vauxhall Frontera - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Vauxhall Frontera goes roughly 51 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric or the Vauxhall Frontera?
The two are within 25 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 605 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Frontera and about 580 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. The Hyundai IONIQ Electric also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric or the Vauxhall Frontera?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and 90% for the Vauxhall Frontera. That gives the Vauxhall Frontera a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Vauxhall Frontera's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Hyundai IONIQ Electric comparisons
More Vauxhall Frontera comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2022): 28 vs 38 kWh, Battery Recalls & What to Pay
A used Hyundai IONIQ Electric buyer’s guide: the 28 kWh car vs the 2019 38.3 kWh update, the battery recalls, the 8-year battery warranty, write-offs, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Vauxhall Frontera Electric (2025 on): 44 or 54 kWh, Brake Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Vauxhall Frontera Electric buyer’s guide: 44 kWh and Extended Range compared, the brake recalls on 2025-built cars, warranty, realistic range, what to pay against new with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .