Vauxhall Antara facelift revealed

Vauxhall has released first details on its facelifted Antara - and confirmed a price cut that takes the entry-level version beneath £20,000.

The styling changes on the SUV comprise a new front grille, complete with Vauxhall’s revised badge, new fog lights (with chrome bezels on SE models), new 19in alloy wheels, and modified tail-lights.

See the official pics of the Vauxhall Antara facelift

There are also changes to the Antara’s engine-line-up, with the addition of a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with either 161bhp or 181bhp. The lower-powered option is available with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, or four-wheel drive with either a manual or an automatic. The 181bhp unit comes with four-wheel drive only, and the same choice of transmissions.

Vauxhall claims the units offer improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions, although the firm has yet to release any figures.

The Antara’s chassis set-up has also been revised, with new spring and damper settings designed to improve on and off-road behaviour.

Read more on the recent changes to the Antara's sister car, the Chevrolet Captiva

Inside, the Antara gets a new centre console with more storage and revised materials. New features include a standard electric parking brake, Hill Assist and a gearshift indicator to improve fuel economy.

The most aggressive part of the revamp is probably the price; the 2.2-litre, front-drive Exclusiv entry-level model now starts at £19,995, almost £3000 less than the outgoing base variant. It also undercuts the Antara’s sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Captiva, whose 2.0 diesel models start at £20,595.

See all the latest Vauxhall Antara reviews, news and video