
Citroen e-Relay and Vauxhall Movano-e gain larger battery and improved charging speeds
Large electric vans also remain the same price as before (04-05-2022)
Mark Hopkins Car Sales
ACE MOTOR VEHICLE LTD
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The Antara entered the market in 2003 to replace another little-known vehicle badged as the Frontera. In 2011, it underwent a facelift and received some more minor cosmetic tweaks. Later in 2012, the chassis received a significant overhaul, and an all-new gearbox joined the Antara range. The post-2012 generations of the Antara received newly improved interiors and increased storage space. In terms of the powertrain, there are 3 engine options: 1 petrol and 2 diesel units. The petrol-powered Antara takes only 10.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-62 mph, reaching a maximum of 118 mph. The low-power diesel takes 12 seconds, while the high-power unit does it in 10.1 seconds, achieving top speeds of 113 mph and 119 mph, respectively.
Vauxhall released the Antara in the main trim levels: the Vauxhall Exclusiv, the Diamond and the SE. The base-level Exclusiv is the only trim that comes with a 2.4-litre petrol engine. All other trims in the range come with a choice from 2 diesel CDTi engines. Standard features across the Antara range include:
In addition to the above features, the Exclusiv trim also has a self-levelling suspension system, power-adjustable door mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and silver-effect roof rails. Moving to the upper-range Diamond trim adds extras, like:
The Antara SE is also known as the SE Nav trim. It comes with automatic rain-sensing wipers, electronic climate control, a folding front passenger seat, built-in satellite navigation and Xenon headlamps. The front passenger seat folds down completely flat against the floor, making it very practical. You can choose between a 2-wheel and 4-wheel-drive system with all Antara trims.
Due to several adjustment options, from the driver's seat to the steering wheel, it's easy to get comfortable when you're driving the Antara. The visibility is also excellent, thanks to its high-riding stance and responsive steering. Like many well-built mini-SUVs, the Antara handles corners well with minimal body roll.
As the Antara is one of the heaviest vehicles in its category, it's not known for great efficiency. When it's fitted with a full-time 4x4 drivetrain and automatic gearbox, it emits over 225 g/km of CO2. To make the Antara more eco-friendly, Vauxhall decided to discontinue the petrol engine and the higher-powerful diesel motor in 2016. The only option remaining is the more efficient 159 bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, paired with a manual gearbox and start/stop technology.
The Vauxhall Antara is a pretty comfortable ride with enough room to seat 5 adults comfortably. It has a decent amount of legroom and features a slightly raised roof to increase the headroom. A 2012 facelift brought in extra cabin storage spaces, including lidded compartments, cubbies and cupholders for the rear armrest. The seats are also reclinable, which adds even more to the comfort factor.
The Antara has 420 litres of luggage space, which isn't the best, but it's still very decent for the category. Folding down the rear seats boosts its capacity to 1,420 litres, and the SE Nav trim lets you fold down the front passenger seat to open up more space to accommodate long items. You will find it easy to load bulky items into the Antara's boot, thanks to its low-loading lip and larger-sized tailgate.
The Vauxhall Antara's braked trailer towing capacity ranges from 1,700 kg to 2,000 kg, depending on the engine option. Consequently, you can use it to haul trailers and moderately sized family caravans. It also comes with a few towing technical features, such as a trailer-stability programme and hill-start assist.
The closest alternative to the Vauxhall Antara is the Chevrolet Captiva, mainly because they share the same platform. However, the Captiva is no longer available as a new option in the UK market. As a result, you'll have to settle for a used Captiva or go for another close alternative, like the Toyota RAV4and Mazda CX-5.
Although the Vauxhall Antara hasn't been crash-tested by the Euro NCAP, it's safe to assume it would score well because it shares the same platform as the Chevrolet Captiva. The Captiva received a reputable 5-star safety rating in the 2011 Euro NCAP crash test. The Antara comes with several safety features, such as 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, adaptive brake lights and anti-lock brakes.
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