The exploration in a car is like, you drive around and go on jumps and explore. The first area kinda sucks but after that the areas are pretty big with many nooks and crannies. At first you start out slow and can't make most jumps but later on you can upgrade your vehicle and go really fast and go "WHEEE!"
The battling's like your typical turn-based JRPG but with some twists here and there. It's pretty enjoyable but nothing mindblowing.
Fossil cleaning is, like, you get rid of dirt with hammers and drills of various strengths. It works very well.
While Fossil Fighters is pretty much a "you like it or you don't" thing for older gamers, kids generally dig the series and Frontier is the best installment IMO. Do consider getting it for her, she'd probably like it.