New Vauxhall Crossland Electric is a boxy EV crossover

The Vauxhall Crossland – currently the maker’s only model not available with a plug – is being reinvented as a boxier electric SUV. It will complete the brand’s electric offering as a more rugged alternative to the urban-focused Mokka crossover.

Spied testing for the first time, we can see the forthcoming Crossland will inherit the Mokka’s sharp headlights and daytime running lights, though orange camouflage disguises the car’s ‘Vizor’ front end, which can now be found on every model in the Vauxhall range.

From there rearwards, however, the Crossland replacement is completely new. The tall bonnet and upright windscreen give the small SUV a Land Rover-like appearance; the Crossland’s boxy look is further emphasised by its high roofline, which should help make the car more practical than its Mokka sibling.

The Crossland’s rear-end styling is harder to make out, though the partial camouflage does reveal a set of twin-stacked taillights – in contrast to the current Mokka, Corsa and Astra’s single-piece design. This accentuates the Crossland’s tall, upright profile.

We know very little about what will power the Crossland replacement, but these photographs – complete with lightning bolt motif on the doors and bootlid – confirm it will be offered with a electric powertrain. We expect, therefore, that the Crossland will use the updated Mokka’s 54kWh battery and 154bhp motor. Also, sharing its underpinnings with the Jeep Avenger could pave the way for a dual-motor all-wheel drive Crossland at a later date.

If the Crossland is to use the Mokka’s battery and motor setup, we can assume it’ll offer a range of around 250 miles on a charge. With 100kW rapid charging, a 10-80% top should be possible in a little over half an hour.

Of course, it’s possible the rugged SUV may use another name entirely, consigning Crossland to the past. Lead designer Mark Adams told us previously: “We have half an eye on this history, but we want to focus on the future – that’s where we are going.

“We have to be very careful about what [names] we bring forward. If things have a strong resonance we can take things from the past, but we don’t want to do a pastiche. We can reinvent for [a new] segment,” he said.

We expect the new Crossland to be revealed later this year, before going on sale – likely alongside a facelifted, updated version of the Mokka – in 2024. Prices for the electric version could start from around £35,000, with cheaper petrol models costing substantially less.