Verdict on Opel's new compact SUV, the Grandland X
This is now the largest Opel ‘SUV’ following the earlier arrival of the Crossland X.
Overview
Opel's new Grandland X is due in Ireland by late October and joins a growing number of compact SUVs, including the one on which it is based, the Peugeot 3008 SUV.
This is now the largest Opel 'SUV' following the earlier arrival of the Crossland X (which slots under the Mokka X).
The new arrival will cost from €27,995 (1.2-litre 130PS petrol) and €28,995 (1.6-litre diesel).
Seeing as they're appending an 'X' to each of their crossovers now, I thought it might be appropriate to do an A-to-X run-through of the Grandland - including the important 'V' for verdict.
Arrival: late October.
Boot: 514litres (1,652 with rear seats folded).
Cost: from €27,995. Peugeot 3008 starts from €25,995 but Opel claim higher spec.
Diesel: Yes. The 1.6 (120hp, 6-4.05l/100km; 104g/km-118g/km; tax €190/€200). And the 1.2 aluminium petrol (130hp, 5.4-5.15l/100 km, 117g/km - 127g/km; tax €200-€270). Dimensions: 4.477m long; 1.856m wide, 1.609m tall. (Crossland 4.2m, Mokka 4.28m).
Equipment: Three trims: SC, Sri, Elite. Standard are Opel OnStar, sat nav; LED DRLs, front fogs, LED tail lights, camera-based Lane Departure Warning/speed Sign Recognition, cruise control, Radio R 4.0 with Bluetooth, dual-zone air con, 40:60 split/fold rear seats; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 17in wheels. Child-seat anchors front passenger/two rear outer seats.
Sri adds Front parking sensors, 18in alloys, side blind-spot alert; Navi 5.0 Intellilink. Elite adds: LED adaptive forward lighting, 7-mode AFL headlamps (country, motorway, town, pedestrian, cornering, adverse weather, dynamic bend) + high beam assist; leather trim front seats, AGR/heated sports seats, advanced park assist, forward collisions alert, driver drowsiness alert, 360 panoramic camera.
Grip: IntelliGrip for better traction. Optional.
Him: Men are prime targets (as are families and empty nesters).
Infotainment: Apple CarPlayAndroid Auto compatible; up to 8in colour touchscreens. Inductive wireless smartphone charging (optional: it worked brilliantly on test).
Just in time: for January sales.
Kick: Swing a leg and tailgate opens (optional).
Lots of other personalisation options; panoramic glass/'floating' roof.
Metal: High shoulder line means there's a lot of metal but visibility not affected.
Next: 180bhp and sub-120bhp diesels to come next spring. Also 8spd automatic gearbox.
OnStar 24/7 'guardian angel' standard.
Plug-in: First Opel to have a plug-in hybrid (2018).
Qashqai: Nissan's crossover a key rival as is Renault's Kadjar, Toyota C-HR and the 3008SUV.
Raked roof gives a sharp side-on profile.
SUV: booming segment; demand to increase for foreseeable future.
Transmissions: 6spd manual/auto gearboxes for each engine.
User-friendly cabin. Well decked out; roomy.
VERDICT: Because it is based on the Peugeot 3008 comparisons are inevitable. They've worked hard to make it look different. I like the shape. I was impressed with the 1.2-litre petrol.
There was plenty of power and a lovely note.
The diesel appealed less. Petrol shows engine size to be irrelevant. The car is not madly dynamic but it's a tidy, straightforward package to drive.
Despite interior room and good spec the cabin was always going to come in second best to Peugeot's exceptional iCockpit.
A barrow load of standard equipment makes it competitive though. Well put together, rock solid on the road.
Wheelbase: 2,675mm. Spare wheel optional.
X- rated: One section of lyrics from promo song: "Grandland X is better than . . ." Mad.
