By RAY MASSEY
Updated: 22:28 AEDT, 16 November 2024
43
View
comments
The new second-generation family SUV from Vauxhall has grown in size and stature by going upmarket.
It's paid off as the Grandland, produced with Vauxhall and its German sibling Opel badges, won Germany's prestigious Golden Steering Wheel award.
With prices from £34,700 for the petrol-hybrid and from £40,995 for the pure electric version, it comes in three trim levels: Design, GS and Ultimate.
I put the all-electric and petrol hybrid to the test through Rhine country before they reach UK showrooms later this month.
The new Grandland is even grander than the outgoing model as it is 17.3cm longer, 4.9cm wider, 3.6cm higher and much roomier inside.
This feeling is enhanced by a panoramic glass roof.
Plaudits: Ray test drives the award-winning Grandland
The smart, contemporary interior includes a cockpit with a 16in widescreen central display, giving it a clean, modern ambience.
There is a good blend of physical buttons and touch-screen controls.
A Pure Mode reduces the content displayed on screen to a necessary minimum at night or at higher speeds.
For a relaxing ride, drivers and passengers enjoy ergonomic seats with individually adjustable side cushions certified by Germany's Campaign for Healthier Backs.
The Grandland also has an illuminated, translucent glass surface cover under which your smartphone can be inductively charged simply by lying it on the surface.
And it's the first production Vauxhall to feature an illuminated Griffin badge on its V-shaped 'visor' front.
There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport
The smart, contemporary interior includes a cockpit with a 16in widescreen central display, giving it a clean, modern ambience
The new Grandland is even grander than the outgoing model as it is 17.3cm longer, 4.9cm wider, 3.6cm higher and much roomier inside
For a relaxing ride, drivers and passengers enjoy ergonomic seats with individually adjustable side cushions
The boot has around 550 litres of luggage room or 1,645 litres with rear seats folded
Energised by a 73KWh battery, the zero-emissions SUV has a powerful 213 horse-power (157kw) electric motor that allows it to accelerate from rest to 62mph in nine seconds, up to a top speed restricted to 106mph.
There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and my preferred Sport.
Riding on 20in wheels, it has a claimed EV range of 318 miles which should get you from London to Newcastle.
Although heavier than the hybrid, it feels more powerful.
This model combines a 136hp (100kW) turbocharged 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with a small 28hp (21kW) electric motor.
It accelerates from rest to 62mph in 10.2 seconds, up to 126mph, but lacks the bite and oomph of its electric sibling.
Fine for around town, it felt strained by comparison when asked to deliver a more energetic performance. It offers 51.4 mpg and CO2 emissons of 125g/km.
The new Grandland also features glare-free HD headlights. Most fabrics, interior trim and door panels are recycled – with three vegan – but look smart.
The boot has around 550 litres of luggage room or 1,645 litres with rear seats folded.
The car is also chrome free.
My testing took place out of Vauxhall parent company Stellantis's headquarters at Russelsheim in Germany, where I enjoyed varied drives of my own choosing through town and country down to the scenic Rhine and back.
Price: £45,195
Prices: From £34,700 for petrol-hybrid models; From £40,995 for pure electric models
Seats: 5
Trim levels: Design, GS and Ultimate.
Length: 4,650mm (+173mm on outgoing model) Width: 1,905mm (49mm) Height: 1,661mm (+36mm) Wheelbase: 2,795mm
Battery: 73KWh battery
Electric motor: 213 horse-power (157kw)
0 to 62mph: 9 seconds
Top speed: 106mph
EV range: 318 miles
Driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport
Wheels: 20-inch wheels
Boot capacity: 550 litres (seats in place); 1,645 (rear seats folded)
Price: £34,700 to £38,400
Propulsion: combines 136hp (100kW) turbocharged 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with small 28hp (21kW) electric motor.
0 to 62mph: 10.2 seconds
Top speed: 126mph
Fuel efficiency: 51.4mpg
CO2emissons: 125g/km
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
Facebook Conversations