- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.2i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
151kW, 290Nm
- Fuel
NA
- Manufacturer
4X4
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Not exactly the new frontier
FOR: Performance, decent room.
AGAINST: Choppy ride, dated looks, turning circle
RATING: three (out of 5)
Holden's Frontera can now be taken seriously. In second generation guise, it answers the fundamental problems of the original off-road machine - yes there is a five-door wagon and it now offers decent power.
The base version remains a three-door, but thankfully this model has also received a power jump with a 2.2-litre engine, rather than the original model's 2.0-litre four-cylinder that struggled, particularly off-road.
The introduction of the larger four sees power jump by 14 per cent and torque increase by 13 per cent.
Wagon Frontera buyers get an even better deal with the five-door using the modern, double overhead camshaft engine that until recently powered the Jackaroo. It's still one of the most modern engines found in a 4WD wagon and produces a vigorous 151kW at 5400rpm and 290Nm at 3000rpm.
Put the boot into the accelerator and despite its hefty 1700kg mass, the mid-size Holden kicks up its heels, seeing off most of its opposition.
Rev it out and the engine willingly runs up to the redline and stays pretty quiet in the process. Off-roaders may wish for a little more bottom-end torque, but urban cowboys (and girls) will be more than happy with its performance.
The range-topping SE comes standard with an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic transmission.
The changes are a little lumpy at low speed but smooth out when the engine is pushed.
The gearbox also allows the driver to select normal, sport or winter modes. Left in the normal setting the gearbox it is reluctant to kickdown. Select winter and it will start in second gear to help traction.
Around town, the five-seat Frontera sends all its power to the rear wheels and it's fairly easy to get the back tyres singing as they break traction. Head bush and the driver can select high-range four- wheel drive with the push of a button, while low-range crawler gears are also part of the package. This means real off-road driving is possible, but a little more ground clearance would make off-road adventures a little easier.
ABS anti-lock brakes are standard, but on gravel they are just too sensitive, with a decent push of the brakes prompting the anti-lock system to cut in. The result is a longer, not shorter, braking distance. Isuzu-GM, Holden's commercial and 4WD arm, is said to be working on a recalibration.
If its performance wins praise, this American-made machine's ride quality lets the Frontera down. Perhaps it's the US connection shining through, but the independent front and live rear axle setup is way too soft, which translates into lots of float and a suspension that crashes and bangs when pushed over chopped-up ground.
On the road, the handling is fine, with the usual front end push (understeer) building steadily and there is also a bit of body roll to live with.
The steering on the other hand is not bad, remaining well weighted and quite faithful. But the car's ridiculous turning circle - it's edging close to 12m - takes the shine off the system.
Inside, the dash layout, like the exterior of the Frontera, breaks no new design ground but it works well enough. The only significant complaints are about the centre transmission tunnel which heats up and warms your left leg. There is also a bulge in the tunnel that catches your left ankle if you rest your foot on the lower part of the dead pedal.
Build quality of the Indiana-assembled wagon (in a joint venture plant between Subaru and Isuzu) is good, although the non-gloss paint finish inside the door openings is a bit downmarket.
In SE trim, the car is well equipped, but it doesn't exactly shout luxury when you look at the rather dark and dreary interior.
There is plenty of room for two adults or three children on the split/fold rear seat, although it could be criticised for being a little flat and there is only a centre lap belt.
Cargo space, accessed through a split tailgate, is good, but like many other 4WD wagons, this machine doesn't have a cargo blind to hide your goodies.
Judged on its performance, space and equipment, the Frontera SE earns high marks but the too-soft and choppy ride and the large turning circle let it down, relegating it to the middle of the mid-size 4WD pack.
NUTS `N' BOLTS
Holden Frontera SE
HOW MUCH? $42,990
INSURANCE Premium $577 $400 excess (NRMA, wholly-owned, driver 30 plus, rating one, medium risk suburb)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
ENGINE 3.165-litre, DOHC per bank, 24-valve, all-alloy, V6.
151kW at 5400rpm and 290Nm at 3000rpm.
Part-time 4WD
TRANSMISSION
Four-speed automatic
STEERING Rack and pinion, 3.6 turns lock-to-lock. 11.7m turning circle
BRAKES Discs front and rear
SUSPENSION Front: Independent, double wishbones, torsion bars, dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear: Live axle, Five-link, coil springs, dampers
WHEELS/TYRES Alloy 235/75 R15
HOW BIG? Length 4670mm, width 1785mm, height 1765mm, wheelbase 2400mm
HOW HEAVY? 1720kg
HOW THIRSTY? 15l/100km average, regular unleaded, 80-litre tank
EQUIPMENT Airbags - yes, dual;
anti-lock brakes - yes;
cruise control - yes;
air conditioning - yes, climate control;
central locking - yes, remote;
power mirrors/windows - yes;
security - no; sound system - AM/FM radio cassette, single CD, 6 speakers;
cup holders - yes
Rivals: Toyota Prado ****
Jeep Cherokee ***
Mitsubishi Challenger***