1995 OPEL Frontera Wagon 2.2i 5MT AWD (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The European arm of GM, Opel, introduced the facelifted version of the Frontera SUV in 1995, fixing most of the problems encountered by the model when it was launched in 1989.

The Frontera was a product developed by GM in cooperation with Honda and Isuzu and was available in several markets from the U.S. to Australia and from Northern Europe to Africa. Moreover, it sported several badges on the grille, such as Holden, Opel, Honda, Isuzu, Vauxhall, and Chevrolet.

One of the biggest complaints about the car was about the lights department, and GM improved the headlights and also changed their styling in the process by rounding them a bit more at the corners. Moreover, the clear-lense blinkers and parking lights mounted vertically on the corners were seamlessly continued by the flared wheel arches. The bumper was no longer completely black but sported an unpainted upper section that could protect better against scratches. On the side, a black rubber stripe crossed the doors and proved to be effective in protecting the bodywork against shopping carts. Despite having more room in the trunk than its three-door sibling, the Frontera kept the full-size spare wheel on the tailgate, giving the vehicle a stronger appearance.

Inside, the restyled dashboard featured rounded edges and a small instrument cluster flanked by several buttons mounted on its frame. Yet, the rectangular vents remained in place, and the stereo took the lowest position on the center stack. Between the front bucket seats on the center console, the carmaker installed the gearstick and the low-range transmission lever.

Under the hood, Opel installed a new engine range. The 2.0-liter powerplant was replaced by a stronger and more economical 2.2-liter, fuel-injected unit. For the turbo-diesel versions, the 2.3-liter was replaced by a 2.4-liter and a 2.8-liter, respectively.