Vauxhall Frontera (91-03) - Review

Review by Parkers on
Frontera is based on an Isuzu design (called MU in Japan), revised and updated over the years. It offers a wide choice of three petrol engines and turbo-diesel engines in two body styles. The Sport puts the emphasis on leisure while the bigger five-door estates are better family choices. Early models are now cheap but they are flawed. Post-1995 cars are better made and noticeably more refined, especially the current generation models from late 1998 onwards.
2 out of 5

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2 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£14,525 - £23,282

Used price range:

£134 - £3,627

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Get a Vauxhall Frontera (91-03) information pack

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Affordable, macho-suburban styling

Not as classy, desirable or robust as Cherokee or Discovery

Frontera is based on an Isuzu design (called MU in Japan), revised and updated over the years. It offers a wide choice of three petrol engines and turbo-diesel engines in two body styles. The Sport puts the emphasis on leisure while the bigger five-door estates are better family choices. Early models are now cheap but they are flawed. Post-1995 cars are better made and noticeably more refined, especially the current generation models from late 1998 onwards.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    2 out of 5

    "There are eight different engines. The first generation (to 1998) came with 2.0i, 2.2i 16-valve and..."

  • Handling

    2 out of 5

    "There were significant handling improvements for Frontera from 1998. The steering was made more..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    2.5 out of 5

    "Seats in early cars lack support and can get uncomfortable very quickly. Cars from 1998 have larger..."

  • Practicality

    3 out of 5

    "Quite a lot of room for rear passengers in the estate and a decent amount of luggage space -..."

  • Equipment

    2.5 out of 5

    "All models have free-wheeling front hubs with selectable rear-wheel/four-wheel-drive. Revised range..."

  • Behind the wheel

    2 out of 5

    "All Fronteras greet you with a cheap-looking length of black plastic which passes as the dash. Some..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    2 out of 5

    "Diesels initially needed a service every 4500 miles; 5000 for petrols. The good news is that oil..."

  • Green credentials

    0 out of 5

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    2 out of 5

    "Optional ABS, driver and passenger airbags optional from April 1995, then standard on later cars."

  • Reliability

    2 out of 5

    "The old Frontera was a nightmare when it came to reliability, but loving owners will have fixed many..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    0 out of 5

  • Buying used

    2.5 out of 5

    "The Frontera offers reasonable, but not outstanding value for money. Twin airbags, electric windows..."

  • Selling

    2.5 out of 5

    "Buyers are looking for models that have been carefully looked after and have receipts to prove it."

Owners' reviews