Welcome to the forum!
The only thing the frontera has in common with the Golf you mention is fuel consumption!
If you are looking for a capable 4x4, then you will not be disappointed with any frontera.
I suppose it depends on your intended use.
The 2.2 dti is quite lively, driven a lot of these at work, never disappointing.
I have personally owned the 2.2 petrol, lovely motor, now im running the awesome 3.2 V6 Petrol guzzling LPG breathing beast!