Road tested By Hugh Maguire.
This is the second generation of the Opel Grandland and it is available in petrol mild hybrid as on test here and also as an EV. There are three trim levels namely SC, Elegance and GS and a choice of six colours.
The Grandland was never known for being the most revolutionary or daring in its design and so it it with this new model. It actually shares its engine with the Peugeot 3008 as they are both part of the Stellantis Auto Group and that car would be a direct rival to the Grandland as are models such as the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan for example. So this new Grandland is up against some class leaders. How then does it fair against these competitors? Our model on test is the 1.2 petrol mild hybrid in GS specification.
So has it got street cred?
The body shell is now longer, wider and taller than the previous model and this gifts the new Grandalnd with a larger cabin. The new style incorporates the new Opel “Vizor” at the front and I particularly like the way the Opel badge is illuminated at both the front and the rear. My test car was finished in an attractive metallic Copper colour and that helped to give the car a more distinctive appearance. So first impressions are good. It’s not a head turner but it earns decent marks for a well executed design.
What is it like inside?
The interior upgrades bring the new Grandland right up to date. The whole cabin feels of a much higher quality than in the past with soft touch plastics and fabrics throughout. It really feels very nice in here. There is subtle ambient lighting and the overall ergonomics are excellent. It’s a no fuss no gimmicks design which really works very well.
The seats are very comfortable with electrical adjustment for the drivers seat lumbar support. The latest Grandland now boasts the new Opel digital display which essentially consists of two digital screens one for infotainment and the cars main functions, the other for the driver displays. Entry models get a 10 inch wide centre display while the Elegance and GS boasts a larger 16 inch wide display. The central screen works well and the graphics are decent but the drivers digital display is quite small and basic and not as attractive as many rivals.
I like the fact that Opel kept buttons for the main climate control functions and the design of the centre console is very good with a handy wireless phone charger partly hidden by a transparent tinted panel to avoid driver distraction. Storage space is also very good with a sliding cover over a cubby ahead of the drive selector and a double lid door over a large central storage bin by your elbow as well as large door storage bins and a glovebox.
The boot will hold about 550 litres with the rear seats in place and that extends to 1645 litres. So it will hold two large family suitcases and plenty of additional smaller soft bags. One very nice touch is the space saver spare wheel! So much better than those compressors with some sealant which often can leave you stranded if a tyre is damaged. Overall then I found the new Grandland to be roomy and comfortable so it certainly delivers in terms of space and functionality for those looking for a mid-size SUV.
Whats under the bonnet?
My test car was powered by the 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol turbo and it performs reasonably well for what is quite a small power plant. Overtaking though requires a bit of planning as it does lack some mid-range get up and go. Power out put is 136bhp and it is mated to a 6 speed auto gearbox driving the front wheels. Being a mild hybrid it manages to run more than I expected on electric power only, mainly to get going from a start or while in very slow traffic. This boosts economy and over my extensive test of some 600km it returned an average fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100km. Road tax is €200 per year.
So how does it drive?
It is not an inspiring drive and I find the steering lacked any real feel or feedback, but that all said it drives as well as any other SUV out there. The handling again is good and set up more for comfort than sharp responses.
The new Grandland rides the bumps pretty well and its comfortable and quiet too proving very refined as it scores well in our cabin noise decibel rating below. So as a place in which to travel it deserves top marks.
Hugh’s Verdict.
The new Opel Grandland remains then a good all round SUV without setting the world alight. The updates do bring it bang up to date with rivals and that will no doubt add to its ongoing appeal. Its a very likeable car that will cover the KM’s with ease while offering a good bit of standard kit, decent versatility and economy.
So does it better its mainstream rivals? I think it offers a very good alternative but does not excel over its rivals in any particular way. If comfort, practicality and efficiency are your goals the Grandland delivers those.
Prices start at €39,065 for the EV and €40,995 for the 1.2 petrol mild hybrid. The GS as tested here costs €44,995.
Likes: Conservative but appealing external design.
Very nice interior, with an air of quality about it.
Comfortable and refined on any road.
Dislikes: The drivers display could look so much better.
Lifeless steering, uninspiring if safe handling.