Opel Frontera: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Opel Frontera choice depends on whether you want an older three-door SUV with AWD or RWD, or the current five-door model with FWD. The first generation ran from September 1991 to October 1998 with 11 versions; the second generation ran from September 1998 to December 2003, including its June 2001 restyling, with 19 pre-restyling and 17 restyled versions in the catalogue.
The Opel Frontera choice depends on whether you want an older three-door SUV with AWD or RWD, or the current five-door model with FWD. The first generation ran from September 1991 to October 1998 with 11 versions; the second generation ran from September 1998 to December 2003, including its June 2001 restyling, with 19 pre-restyling and 17 restyled versions in the catalogue. The third generation has been listed since September 2024 with 2 versions. Across these generations, the data spans Gasoline, Diesel, and Electro powertrains, outputs from 100 hp to 205 hp, and ground clearance from 140 mm to 240 mm. Buyers prioritizing performance should start with the second-generation 3.2 AT or 3.2 MT, while those wanting the current body can choose between AT e 54 kWh and 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT.
Opel Frontera generations: what changed?
The first-generation Opel Frontera is an SUV 3-doors produced from September 1991 through October 1998. Its 11 versions use 5-speed Manual transmissions. The catalogue includes Gasoline 2.0 MT, 2.2 MT, and 2.4 MT versions, plus Diesel 2.3 MT, 2.5 MT, and 2.8 MT versions. Both AWD and RWD configurations appear. Depending on the exact version, ground clearance is 205 or 230 mm, while the fuel tank is consistently 80 litres.
The second-generation Opel Frontera remained an SUV 3-doors. Its original phase ran from September 1998 to May 2001 with 19 versions, while the restyling ran from June 2001 to December 2003 with 17 versions. Compared with the first generation, this generation introduced 4-speed Automatic choices alongside the 5-speed Manual, and its most powerful listed engine is the 205 hp 3.2. The catalogue contains AWD and RWD versions, 65- and 75-litre tanks, and ground-clearance figures between 205 and 240 mm.
The third-generation Opel Frontera has been listed since September 2024 as an SUV 5-doors with 2 versions. AT e 54 kWh is an Electro model producing 156 hp through a 1-speed Automatic and FWD. The 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT combines a 1199 cc Gasoline engine with a 6-speed Automatic and FWD, producing 136 hp and 234 Nm. Both have 140 mm of ground clearance. Kerb weight, gross weight, tank capacity, wheel sizes, acceleration, and top speed are not measured for either current version.
Opel Frontera engine options and specs
Repeated names identify several different catalogue records. They are distinguished below by output, generation or phase, gearbox, and drive while retaining the exact database version names.
| Generation and version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 2.0 MT, AWD | 115 hp | 170 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.0 MT, RWD | 115 hp | 170 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First, 2.4 MT, AWD | 125 hp | 195 Nm | 2410 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.4 MT, RWD | 125 hp | 195 Nm | 2410 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First, 2.5 MT, AWD, 1828 kg | 115 hp | 260 Nm | 2499 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.8 MT | 113 hp | 242 Nm | 2771 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.2 MT, AWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.2 MT, RWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First, 2.3 MT | 100 hp | 215 Nm | 2260 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First, 2.5 MT, AWD, 1920 kg | 115 hp | 260 Nm | 2499 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.0 MT | 116 hp | 172 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 136 hp, AWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 AT, 136 hp, AWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 136 hp, RWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 AT, 136 hp, RWD | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 2171 cc | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 2172 cc | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2172 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 2171 cc | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 2172 cc, AWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2172 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 2172 cc, RWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2172 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 2172 cc, RWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2172 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, pre-restyling, 2.2 MT, 136 hp, later record | 136 hp | 202 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 65-litre tank | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 65-litre tank | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 120 hp, 65-litre tank | 120 hp | 280 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 136 hp, 65-litre tank | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 3.2 MT | 205 hp | 290 Nm | 3165 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 3.2 AT | 205 hp | 290 Nm | 3165 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 75-litre tank, AWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 116 hp, 75-litre tank, RWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 75-litre tank, AWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 AT, 116 hp, 75-litre tank, RWD | 116 hp | 260 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 120 hp, 75-litre tank | 120 hp | 280 Nm | 2171 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, restyling, 2.2 MT, 136 hp, 75-litre tank | 136 hp | 200 Nm | 2198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Third, AT e 54 kWh | 156 hp | not measured | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | 1-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third, 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT | 136 hp | 234 Nm | 1199 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
Power per litre helps separate engines with similar outputs. The current 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT delivers approximately 113.4 hp per litre. The restyled 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT each produce approximately 64.8 hp per litre, while the 136 hp 2198 cc Gasoline versions produce approximately 61.9 hp per litre. The 120 hp 2171 cc Diesel produces approximately 55.3 hp per litre, compared with approximately 53.4 hp per litre for the 116 hp 2171 cc Diesel.
Performance, fuel economy, and mpg data
For outright acceleration, 3.2 MT is the quickest measured choice, reaching 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds. The 3.2 AT needs 10.6 seconds, a difference of 0.3 seconds, but reaches 187 km/h rather than 184 km/h. Its higher speed comes with higher measured consumption: 19.8 litres per 100 km in the city, 11.2 on the highway, and 13.6 combined. The 3.2 MT records 17.8, 10.2, and 13.0 litres per 100 km respectively.
The restyled 136 hp 2.2 MT with the 65-litre tank reaches 100 km/h in 13.4 seconds and 162 km/h. Its 15.8 city, 8.9 highway, and 11.4 combined figures match those of the 75-litre version, although that version takes 14.4 seconds and reaches 163 km/h.
Among the measured restyled Diesel choices, the 116 hp 2.2 AT with AWD and the 75-litre tank records 12.6 litres per 100 km in the city, 8.2 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. It reaches 100 km/h in 15.8 seconds and 154 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured for the other restyled Diesel records.
In the first generation, the 115 hp 2.0 MT records 12.1 litres per 100 km in the city, 8.5 on the highway, and 10.1 combined, with 0–100 km/h in 15.6 seconds and a 158 km/h maximum. The 100 hp 2.3 MT is slower at 19.3 seconds and 147 km/h, but its measured consumption is 11.2 city, 8.1 highway, and 10.3 combined. Performance and economy are not measured for some RWD first-generation versions.
For AT e 54 kWh and 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT, 0–100 km/h, top speed, and consumption are not measured. The data therefore does not support a numerical electric-range or mpg comparison.
Opel Frontera dimensions, weight, and ground clearance
The catalogue provides no length, width, height, trunk-space, seating-capacity, or wheel-size measurements for any generation. Those values are not measured, so the data cannot support a dimensions comparison, a trunk-space claim, or a statement that a version is a 5+2 or 7 seater.
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the pre-restyling second-generation 2.0 MT is lightest at 1565 kg. With 116 hp, it carries approximately 13.5 kg per horsepower. The restyled 3.2 MT weighs 1730 kg and produces 205 hp, giving approximately 8.4 kg per horsepower—the strongest measured weight-to-power result in the supplied data.
The first-generation kerb-weight range runs from 1696 kg for the measured 2.0 MT to 1920 kg for the heavier 2.5 MT. Gross weight reaches 2600 kg for that 1920 kg 2.5 MT. The second-generation measured kerb weights range from 1565 to 1785 kg, while gross weights range from 2200 to 2450 kg. Kerb and gross weights are not measured for either third-generation version.
Ground clearance makes the generational trade-off clear. First- and second-generation entries offer 205–240 mm, while both third-generation versions have 140 mm. The difference between the highest listed second-generation clearance and the current models is 100 mm. First-generation tanks hold 80 litres; second-generation tanks hold 65 or 75 litres. Tank capacity is not measured for the third generation, and wheel sizes are not measured throughout.
Which Opel Frontera version should you choose?
Choose the restyled 3.2 MT if measured performance is the priority. It combines the quickest 0–100 km/h time of 10.3 seconds with 205 hp, 290 Nm, AWD, 230 mm of clearance, and the best measured weight-to-power ratio. Choose 3.2 AT if an Automatic is essential: it gives the same output and torque, is 0.3 seconds slower to 100 km/h, reaches 3 km/h more, and consumes an extra 0.6 litres per 100 km combined.
Choose the restyled 120 hp 2.2 MT Diesel when low-speed torque matters more than outright power. Its 280 Nm arrives at 1500 rpm, compared with 200 Nm at 2500 rpm for the restyled 136 hp Gasoline 2.2 MT. The Diesel has 16 fewer horsepower but 80 Nm more torque. The 75-litre version also carries 10 litres more fuel than its otherwise closely related 65-litre counterpart.
Choose the first-generation 2.0 MT AWD if you want the lowest measured first-generation combined consumption: 10.1 litres per 100 km. Choose the first-generation 2.3 MT only if its 100 hp and 215 Nm specification suits your priorities; it is the slowest measured version at 19.3 seconds to 100 km/h and shares the lowest measured maximum speed, 147 km/h, with the 2.8 MT.
For the current SUV 5-doors body, choose AT e 54 kWh for Electro propulsion and 156 hp, or 1.2 Turbo Mild Hybrid e-DCT for a 1199 cc Turbo Gasoline engine, 136 hp, and 234 Nm. The Electro version has 20 hp more, but torque, performance, economy, range, weight, and tank or battery-use measurements needed for a broader comparison are not measured. Both current choices are FWD with 140 mm of clearance, so neither matches the AWD availability or higher measured clearance of the earlier Frontera generations.