Review: Vauxhall Grandland
Vauxhall Grandland Review
The Vauxhall Grandland has always acted as Vauxhall’s flagship, providing a tip-top way of showcasing the very best that the brand had to offer. In recent times the Grandland has been tweaked and changed with a series of updates but in 2024 things take a big shake-up with the arrival of a brand new model.
But this isn’t just the fitment of some redesigned headlights and the introduction of some fresh colour options, but is a radical change - both outside and underneath - compared with the previous-generation car. We’ve been driving it to see what it’s like.
What’s new?
.jpg "Vauxhall Grandland")
There’s a lot that has changed for this new Grandland. For one, the exterior has been completely revitalised with a bold new look which is more in keeping with recent Vauxhall additions like the Mokka and redesigned Corsa.
It’s sitting on the same platform that you’ll find underneath fellow Stellantis-group cars like the Peugeot e-3008, too, which means that it’s available with a number of powertrain options including a full electric version. However, all variants have been designed to offer plenty of space and a good level of efficiency.
What’s under the bonnet?
As we’ve touched upon, you’ll be able to get the Grandland with a variety of engine, motor and battery options. The one we’re testing in this article is an electric version with a 73kWh battery pack powering a 213bhp electric motor. Vauxhall says that it should get up to 325 miles from a single charge, too, though if you’re after more miles between the plugs then a long range version - with a 435-mile range - is expected to arrive on the scene soon. All versions, however, can go charge at speeds of up to 160kW resulting in a 10 to 80 per cent charge taking 26 minutes.
You can also get the Grandland with a hybrid version that utilises a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine linked to an electric motor and compact battery. It’s a good option for those drivers who may not have a handy charging solution for an EV.
What’s it like to drive?
The driving experience that you get in this latest Grandland is definitely more on the comfort-orientated side of things. The steering doesn’t have an awful lot of weight nor feedback to it, but the ride is very well judged and despite our test car’s massive 20-inch alloy wheels it does a great job of shaking off those lumps and bumps in the road.
Plus, the Grandland remains quiet even at greater speeds to ensure that the cabin is lovely and hushed. Given that the Grandland is quite a large car it’s reasonably easy to pilot around town and narrower streets, too, thanks to a good turning circle and decent visibility. A 360-degree around-view monitor and parking sensors help even further.
How does it look?
Vauxhall has been on a roll with the design of its cars lately and the Grandland feels like a solid next step. There’s the ‘Vizor’ front end that we’ve seen put to good use on some of the brand’s other electric vehicles, and the front Vauxhall logo is illuminated too which gives the car a futuristic look at night.
Being on the same platform as Peugeot models means that there are some natural similarities in terms of proportions and overall size, but the Vauxhall Grandland has enough styling tweaks to ensure it can be differentiated from its French cousins.
What’s it like inside?
As Vauxhall’s flagship the Grandland really needs to reflect the brand at the top of its game and you can tell that’s the case inside. It’s all very well made with good materials used throughout, while the cool-looking ‘Pixel Box’ - a transparent and illuminated storage compartment for your phone - is a nice bit of a flamboyance from a usually straight-laced firm.
It’s spacious, too, with rear-seat passengers doing particularly well in terms of room. Knee, head and leg space are all plentiful and there’s a decent amount of room for your shoulders, too. In terms of boot space, you get 550 litres - 36 litres more than in the older Grandland - while folding down the rear seats expands this to a useful 1,645 litres.
What’s the spec like?
Things are kept nice and simple with specifications for the Grandland - you’ve got three to choose from. Design, GS and Ultimate all bring plenty of equipment, with Design-grade cars getting a 10-inch main touchscreen, LED headlights and adaptive cruise control, among other features.
Head upwards to Ultimate specification - like our test car - and you’ll find a variety of extras added such as a heated windscreen, panoramic roof and a powered tailgate. However, whichever Grandland you opt for there’s plenty of standard equipment included.
Verdict
This latest generation of Grandland represents a sizeable upgrade over its predecessor. It’s quieter, better finished inside and more practical, too, while bringing with it a more eye-catching design which will make it more appealing to style-conscious buyers out there.
While others might offer a more involving driving experience, the Grandland’s comfortable ride and quiet cabin will no doubt make it a better choice for those who want to make day-to-day driving more relaxing.
