Reviews - Vauxhall

Overall Rating

Frontera was a popular 4x4 for much of the nineties. Its popularity wained as it got older, but strong sales ensures that there'still plenty of used choice now. It's an old fashioned 4x4, so it's not great to drive, but is capable in the rough.

• Estate is a cheap 4x4 family car
• Old-school look that appeals
• Sport soft top has fun potential

• Looks ancient compared with most rivals
• High noise levels and sub-standard ride
• Feels cheaply finished and doesn't wear well

Three-door models are cheapest and have a sporty look, but are cramped in the back. It spawned a convertible, but its roof is fiddly and proned to leaks. Families should go for the five-door, which has better legroom in the back and a good boot. Of the petrol engines, the 2.0 (to 1998) and 2.2 (after 1998) are best. The diesels are rarer and crude by today's standards, though worth considering for towing; the 2.2 DTi is the best of the bunch. All models are plodders, suffer from bodyroll and, with limited visibility and heavy steering, can be difficult to park. Later cars were much better built than the early ones, though they're still not as good as similar Japanese models of the same age. Despite being a Vauxhall, it's also expensive to service, which encourages some owners to skimp on maintenance as the car ages.

JD Power stars: 2

NCAP: 3

Best Models: None

Worst Models: All

Replacement: 2004

• Daewoo Musso
• Isuzu Trooper
• Nissan Terrano (1993-99)