New Vauxhall Grandland 2022 assessment

Verdict

The brand new, simplified Vauxhall Grandland vary represents higher worth than its predecessor, whereas the design updates and new infotainment tech make it a extra interesting household SUV. Nonetheless, that is an extremely aggressive class, and whereas the powertrain is punchy and the Vauxhall presents enhancements and honest effectivity, the Grandland’s journey and its infotainment tech may nonetheless be extra polished.

It was June 2021 when the up to date Vauxhall Grandland was first unveiled, July when it went on sale within the UK. It was meant to comply with the up to date Crossland crossover within the launch cycle, however Covid put paid to us driving the automotive in Britain till now, with the model’s big-selling Astra household hatch leaping the queue.

However the Grandland household SUV is a giant automotive for Vauxhall and this replace is essential to the British model’s fortunes below the Stellantis umbrella, so what’s new to maintain consumers engaged? Effectively, like its smaller sibling, it’s dropped the ‘X’ from its identify, so it’s now referred to as merely: ‘Grandland’.

That’s coincided with a slick redesign sporting Vauxhall’s ‘Vizor’ flush entrance grille association, with the headlights neat extensions flanking this panel. There’s a a lot cleaner take a look at the rear too, with the ‘Grandland’ identify spelled out on the tailgate.

Underneath the bonnet the engine line-up is acquainted in that the 128bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine stays. It’s the automotive we’re driving right here and can proceed to be the most well-liked powertrain within the line-up.

The Grandland continues to be based mostly on the “multi-energy” EMP2 platform, so there’s a 222bhp plug-in Hybrid-e powertrain from launch. A 296bhp Hybrid-e mannequin will be a part of the line-up later, we’re advised, however we are able to’t think about many consumers will go for this.

Inside, like different Vauxhall’s the updates lengthen to the infotainment, with the model’s Pure Panel set-up combining both a seven or a 12-inch digital sprint relying on specification with a seven or a 10-inch touchscreen.

Our Final-spec automotive boasts the latter grouped collectively in a piano black encompass, and whereas it does an honest job of adapting the outdated cabin design (there are additionally some small styling tweaks and new supplies decrease down on the fascia) there may be nonetheless lots of tougher, shiny plastic. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are normal throughout the vary and provide a slicker interface than the usual set-up.

The Grandland’s trim breakdown falls consistent with different Vauxhall fashions, following a (fortunately) far more rational Design, GS Line and Final construction than earlier than.

Design trim (£25,810 in 1.2 Turbo handbook type, the entry-level mannequin now £1,780 cheaper than earlier than) boasts LED lights, all-round parking sensors, lane departure warning with lane-keep help, automated emergency braking, cruise management and dual-zone local weather management, plus 17-inch alloys.

Stepping as much as the sportier GS Line mannequin provides £2,260 to the value, in addition to a rear-view digital camera, adaptive cruise, sportier seats, a contrasting black roof and an improve of the 2 seven-inch shows to a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital sprint.

Prime-spec GS Line trim prices £31,570 in 1.2 Turbo handbook guise and boasts adaptive pixel LED lights, a 360-degree digital camera system, park and aspect blind spot help, wi-fi telephone charging, full keyless go, Alcantara upholstery and bigger 19-inch wheels amongst different equipment.

On the transfer, the Grandland is harking back to its predecessor dynamically. The 1.2 Turbo engine has loads of torque, at 230Nm for a 0-60mph time of 10.4 seconds when mated to the six-speed handbook gearbox. It’s a grunty engine that pulls laborious and delivers good flexibility – that is the form of efficiency you want in a household SUV, moderately than all-out acceleration.

The six-speed handbook’s shift motion is extra optimistic than we bear in mind, to the purpose the place it doesn’t detract from the driving expertise. Refinement can also be good, with solely the faintest grumble from below the bonnet if you load the engine laborious.

The steering is mild and just about completely devoid of really feel, however once more, this makes the Grandland very straightforward to drive. It’s additionally straightforward to manoeuvre in tight spots because of this, which might be of extra profit to extra consumers than final cornering grip.

In fact, there’s sufficient right here, and the Grandland feels safe, however the journey – notably how the rear axle responds to bumps working throughout the highway – is harsher than we’d like. This impacts consolation on a rustic highway or on the town, because the chassis does talk extra by to the cabin than we’d ideally like in a automotive like this. Nonetheless, at greater speeds on smoother roads it feels settled sufficient.

Practicality is a optimistic. There’s no loading lip to raise luggage over, with a moveable boot flooring that’s flat from the bumper in when set in its greater place, whereas the seats cut up 60:40 and a load-through hatch is included for added practicality.

A complete of 514 litres of boot area is obtainable, whereas the Grandland is equally roomy within the rear, which suggests whereas it’s not probably the most spacious on this class relating to legroom, there’s nonetheless a lot. Headroom is sweet.

Returning a claimed 44.8mpg and 141g/km CO2 the pure-petrol automated Grandland’s effectivity is aggressive however not ground-breaking so working prices ought to be inexpensive – however then in case you’re after most cost-cutting potential then the PHEV might be a greater guess, even whether it is greater than £4,000 further.

Right here’s the place the petrol mannequin comes into its personal, as a result of Vauxhall is providing a £1,500 deposit contribution on top-spec Final fashions, with a four-year deal costing £349 per thirty days based mostly on an 8,000-mile annual restrict.

Whereas the Hybrid will get a stronger £2,000 contribution, it’ll price an additional £50 per thirty days on the identical phrases, even when Vauxhall is claiming that the full price of possession might be roughly equal because of its stronger effectivity – in case you bear in mind to plug it in.