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

Safety

Optional ABS, driver and passenger airbags optional from April 1995, then standard on later cars. Gained a three-star Euro NCAP result in 2002, so second-generation range from 1998 scores five overall. Alarm and immobiliser from April 1995, alarm on some pre-1995 five-door cars. Second-generation models get deadlocks and remote central locking.

NCAP Test

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  • Adult Occupant Rating

    3 out of 5
  • Pedestrian Test Rating

    1 out of 5
2 out of 5

Reliability

The old Frontera was a nightmare when it came to reliability, but loving owners will have fixed many of the problems by now. A new factory and improvements in quality control meant better build quality on later cars.

Car check problem points

Body

Damage to underside and suspension, leaking doors/tailgates.

Engine/Gearbox

Rattly crankshafts and camshafts, oil leaks.

Other

Noisy wheel bearings.