Vauxhall launched the Frontera in October 1991, and the timing was perfect. With sales of hot hatches falling through the floor due to escalating insurance premiums, UK buyers were looking for a reasonably priced alternative that would still express a sense of individuality, and the Frontera fitted the bill.
But the public love affair with the Frontera was all too brief, as issues with patchy build quality and poor reliability dented the car's desirability and soon saw it stuck limpet-like to showroom floors.
Rather than cut short the Frontera's production life, though, Vauxhall kept with it, and in 1998 an improved, facelifted version was introduced, extending the Frontera's lifespan to 2004.
Today these later Fronteras represent a cheap entry to the 4x4 domain, and providing you choose wisely, ownership can be a very pleasant experience.
Originally based on an Isuzu design, the Frontera is an old-school 4x4 with the body mounted on a separate chassis. On the road, power is directed to the rear wheels but can be switched to all four wheels when needed, the post1998 models being capable of performing this trick while on the move.
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Decent ground clearance and a low-ratio transfer box endow the Frontera with useful off-roading ability, and the car can look quite appealing to drivers wanting a heavyweight towing vehicle for a comparatively modest outlay: the five-door has a maximum braked towing capacity of 2,800kg and the three-door 2,400kg. With this in mind, check for saggy rear suspension on usedexamples fitted with a towbar that may have been worked hard.
Under the bonnet the post1998 models have three engine choices - two petrol and one diesel. The flagship 205bhp 3.2 litre V6 petrol unit provides lively performance, pushing the 1,800kg Frontera from 0-60mph in about 10sec, although when it's mated to the optional automatic transmission, fuel consumption rarely betters 16mpg.
There's better economy to be had from the 136bhp 2.2 litre petrol, but like most multivalve engines, this 16-valver has to be revved hard to access the power; that's no problem in a hot hatch but it isn't ideal in a 4x4. So the best all-rounder is the 115bhp diesel engine, which with its 192 lb ft of pulling power developed at a lowly 1900rpm, endows the Frontera with decent performance, even when fully loaded.
The facelifted Frontera improves dynamically on the original version, but is still pretty agricultural. Vague steering conspires with tall, flexible tyres to give the driver a sensation more akin to piloting a boat than driving a car, and the standard five-speed manual gearbox requires a determined approach, as its shift quality isn't great. At higher speeds road and wind noise become intrusive, and only the V6 petrol model has an engine that could be described as anywhere near refined. But this is nothing new to most drivers of 1990s 4x4s, and in truth the Frontera is anything but worst in class for driveability. In common with many used 4x4s, secondhand examples vary enormously in the way they drive, due in part to the mileage covered, and in particular to the nature of those miles.
Heavy towing and regular off-road excursions invariably take their toll, and buyers are better off opting for a higher-mileage car that has spent its life doing motorway miles. As there are plenty of used examples on the market, you should take the opportunity to drive as many as you can. Find a good one and you'll immediately notice it in the way it drives; similarly a bad one will be obvious, and you're advised to walk away from it. The more practical five-door models are more sought-after and usually command a premium of around £750, although the compact three-door has sportier looks, and with its rear seats folded flat still provides reasonable boot space.
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The Frontera opened the door to 4x4 ownership for a whole generation of UK motorists. It may not have been the best car ever made, but it was certainly one of the most tenacious.
Transmission Standard manual five-speed gearbox has a heavy shift. Listen carefully for any rumbles from the 4x4 system
Tailgate Hinged rear door is heavy, and even worse if hinges aren't kept oiled
Tyres Check carefully for uneven wear, particularly on the inner edge
Rear windows Prone to leaking; check both front and rear carpets for any signs of water ingress
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Exhaust Water collects inside system and rusts it from the inside out, particularly on low-mileage cars
Engine oil Slow to drain into the sump, so leave the car to stand for five minutes after a run before checking the level, or you'll get a false reading
Steering Check steering and suspension joints and suspension dampers for wear
Engine Petrol-engine timing belt and tensioners should be replaced every 40,000 miles rather than the 80,000 miles that Vauxhall originally advised
Bonnet Prone to stone chips that, if untreated, can quickly turn into rust patches
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Sills Check sills and side steps for signs of off-roading damage
Heater Check it operates properly; bad smells suggest the heater matrix needs replacing - an expensive and time-consuming job
Vital statistics
Model Vauxhall Frontera 2.2 DTi 5dr
Engine 2171cc, four cylinders, diesel
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Power 115bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 33.2mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 13.7sec
Top speed 96mph
CO2 emissions 224g/km
Road tax band F (£205 a year)
Cost new today Model no longer available
The one to buy
Frontera 2.2 DTi Ltd 5dr, 2003 03 with 50,000 miles. Pay £5,550 at a dealer, £4,700 privately
Values Mileage 20,000 30,000 50,000
2002 02 Trade £4,325 £4,100 £3,625
Retail £5,825 £5,595 £5,125
2003 03 Trade £4,900 £4,600 £4,050
Retail £6,395 £6,095 £5,550
2004 04 Trade £5,475 £5,150 £4,525
Retail £6,975 £6,650 £5,995
Or for similar money 1999 T Mitsubishi Shogun 2.8 TD GLS 5dr 2000 W Toyota RAV4 2.0 VX 5dr 2001 51 Land Rover Freelander 2.0 Td4 5dr 2001 51 Nissan Terrano II 2.7 TDi S 5dr 2003 52 Ford Maverick 2.0 XLT 5dr