Vauxhall Frontera

Which Vauxhall Frontera Version Should You Buy?

The version choice comes down to three priorities. For the strongest performance, the 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT provide 205 hp and 290 Nm. For lower measured fuel consumption, the first-generation 2.0 MT records 10.1 l/100 km combined, while the first-generation 2.2 MT records 10.0 l/100 km combined.

The version choice comes down to three priorities. For the strongest performance, the 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT provide 205 hp and 290 Nm. For lower measured fuel consumption, the first-generation 2.0 MT records 10.1 l/100 km combined, while the first-generation 2.2 MT records 10.0 l/100 km combined. Buyers who want diesel torque without the larger Gasoline engine can consider the 2.2 MT turbo diesels: depending on specification, they produce either 116 hp and 260 Nm or 120 hp and 280 Nm. Every version in the supplied catalogue is an SUV 3-doors with AWD and 230 mm of ground clearance.

Vauxhall Frontera generations: what changed?

The first generation covers 1991–1998 and contains seven versions. Its engine range extends from 1998 to 2771 cm³, with outputs from 100 to 136 hp. Every listed version uses a 5-speed Manual gearbox. The chassis specification combines independent torsion front suspension with dependent leaf-spring rear suspension. Ventilated disc front brakes are standard in the listed specifications, while the rear brakes are either Disc or Drum.

The second generation covers 1998–2001 and contains ten versions. It remains an SUV 3-doors with AWD and 230 mm of ground clearance, but changes to independent spring front suspension and semi-independent spring rear suspension. Its range adds 4-speed Automatic alternatives and reaches 205 hp through the 3.2 AT and 3.2 MT. Disc brakes are listed at both ends.

The second-generation restyling covers 2001–2004 and contains thirteen versions, of which twelve are shown in the supplied data. It retains the SUV 3-doors body, AWD, 230 mm ground clearance, spring suspension and Disc brakes. The available records include 2.2 MT, 2.2 AT, 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT versions, with outputs between 116 and 205 hp. Because this is a restyling of the second generation, it is not counted as a separate generation; the catalogue identifies three generation entries in total, comprising the first generation, second generation and its restyling.

Vauxhall Frontera engine options and specs

Repeated names identify distinct records, so power and production phase are included to distinguish them.

Among the Gasoline choices, the 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT with 136 hp produce about 61.9 hp per litre. The 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT produce about 64.8 hp per litre, an advantage of approximately 2.9 hp per litre. Their more important benefit is total output: the 3.2 versions add 69 hp and 88 Nm over the 136 hp 2.2 versions.

The 120 hp Diesel 2.2 MT improves on the 116 hp Diesel 2.2 MT by 4 hp and 20 Nm without changing its 2171 cm³ displacement. That raises specific output from approximately 53.4 to 55.3 hp per litre. Its maximum torque also arrives at 1500 rpm rather than 1900 rpm.

Vauxhall Frontera performance and mpg

The quickest measured acceleration belongs to the 3.2 MT at 10.3 seconds, while the 3.2 AT has the highest measured top speed at 187 km/h. Against the 136 hp 2.2 MT at 13.4 seconds, the 3.2 MT reaches 100 km/h 3.1 seconds sooner. Choosing the 3.2 AT instead of the 3.2 MT adds 0.3 seconds to acceleration but raises top speed by 3 km/h.

Where comparable consumption is measured in the restyled range, the 116 hp 2.2 AT Diesel uses 9.8 l/100 km combined, versus 13.6 l/100 km for the 3.2 AT Gasoline version. The difference is 3.8 l/100 km. The 3.2 MT uses 13.0 l/100 km combined, 0.6 l/100 km less than the 3.2 AT.

Vauxhall Frontera dimensions, weight and tank size

Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured in the supplied data. Ground clearance is measured at 230 mm for every version. First-generation tanks hold 80 litres. Second-generation records list either 75 or 80 litres, while restyled records list either 65 or 75 litres.

Kerb weight ranges from 1565 kg for the second-generation 2.0 MT to 1920 kg for one first-generation 2.5 MT. Gross weight ranges from 2200 to 2600 kg where measured. Several 2.2 AT and 3.2 AT records have kerb weight or gross weight marked as not measured.

Weight-to-power comparisons clarify what different engines provide. The second-generation 2.0 MT carries approximately 13.5 kg per hp at 1565 kg and 116 hp. The 1660 kg, 136 hp 2.2 MT carries approximately 12.2 kg per hp. The 1785 kg, 205 hp second-generation 3.2 MT carries approximately 8.7 kg per hp. The 3.2 MT therefore has about 3.5 fewer kilograms for each horsepower than that 2.2 MT.

Which Vauxhall Frontera version should you choose?

Choose the 3.2 MT if acceleration is the priority. Its 205 hp, 290 Nm, 10.3-second acceleration and 184 km/h top speed provide the strongest manual specification. Its measured combined consumption in the restyled generation is 13.0 l/100 km.

Choose the 3.2 AT if you want the same 205 hp and 290 Nm with a 4-speed Automatic. It reaches 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds and 187 km/h. In the restyled 65-litre-tank record, its combined consumption is 13.6 l/100 km.

Choose the 120 hp 2.2 MT Diesel if low-rpm torque matters more than maximum speed. It supplies 280 Nm at 1500 rpm, which is 20 Nm more and 400 rpm earlier than the 116 hp Diesel. Its recorded top speed is 158 km/h, while acceleration is either 14.5 or 15.7 seconds according to the specific record. Fuel consumption for these versions is not measured.

Choose the 116 hp 2.2 AT Diesel if an Automatic gearbox and measured economy are the preferred combination. The restyled 65-litre-tank version records 9.8 l/100 km combined, 155 km/h and 15.0 seconds to 100 km/h. Other identically named 2.2 AT records have fuel consumption not measured, so that figure should not be applied to every 2.2 AT.

Choose the 136 hp 2.2 MT Gasoline as the middle ground between the turbo diesels and the 3.2 versions. It provides 202 Nm, acceleration between 13.4 and 13.6 seconds, and a top speed between 161 and 165 km/h. It gives up 69 hp and 88 Nm to the 3.2 MT, but it improves on the 116 hp 2.2 Diesel by 20 hp.

For buyers comparing generations, the first generation offers the broadest spread of smaller Manual engine choices and supplies measured fuel-consumption figures for every listed version. The second generation adds Automatic versions, spring suspension and the 205 hp 3.2 engine. The restyling retains those fundamentals while adding a 120 hp, 280 Nm Diesel record. Prices, sale listings, reliability findings and problem data are not measured, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.