Read Caroline’s Opel Grandland review for everything you need to know about buying Opel’s new SUV in Ireland.
The second generation of the Opel Grandland will arrive in Ireland this November and marks a fresh chapter for Opel’s compact SUV. It will now lead Opel’s SUV line-up that includes the popular Mokka and upcoming relaunch of the Frontera.
Built on a new platform, the new Grandland will be available as a plug-in hybrid, petrol mild hybrid or full battery electric. Pricing for the mild hybrid has already been released, with the range to kick off from €40,995.
Caroline travelled with Opel Ireland to Russelsheim, the home of Opel, to find out more!
Design
Grandland has grown up and gotten bigger in all directions. The new car is longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, giving Grandland a ‘grander’ presence than before. At the front, Opel is making a bold statement with the new ‘3D Vizor’ that really makes a feature out of the Grandland’s LED lighting. Top of the range GS models even have an illuminated Opel blitz logo for the very first time. The Intellilux HD headlights are another highlight and have over 50,000 pixels for greater clarity and safety in night driving.
The entry into the range will be the SC, followed by the Elegance model and topped off by the GS. The standard wheel size for Ireland will be 19-inch, with the option to upgrade to 20s.
At the back, O P E L is now spelt out across and illuminated. Electric versions get a gloss black finish to the wheel arch cladding and lower sills. There are a range of colours available. Impact Copper and Spectrum Green are new, which give the Grandland a smart, sophisticated presence. GS models come with a contrasting black roof and rear privacy glass.
Opel Grandland Interior
The outgoing model was starting to look dated inside so the new Grandland gets a timely upgrade. The horizontal design and high centre console give it a more mature feel than any other model in the Opel range. Opel has introduced more plush fabric materials in the door panels and dashboard, though there is a harder plastic material used on the top of the dash and side air vents. There’s also a new steering wheel design, which is on the plain side but does feature easy to use buttons.
Behind the steering wheel is a new full digital driver display with a slim design. The central screen also has a slim rectangular shape and comes in two different sizes: 10-inch for SC and Elegance, and 16-inch for the GS. Like in the Astra, there are proper buttons underneath the screen to adjust the climate control settings like the fan speed and temperature. There’s also a new ‘Pixel Box’ feature that allows you to put your phone safely away to avoid distraction while driving. In GS models, this includes a wireless charger.
Elegance models come with nice features for the Irish market such as heated steering wheel and heated front seats. The GS model features Opel’s AGR front seats with a new indent down the middle of the seat cushion to relieve pressure from the tailbone.
Practicality
New Grandland sits on a longer wheelbase than before, so there is about 20mm more legroom in the back. It feels nicely spacious for children or adult passengers. There are pockets in the back of the front seats including a smaller one for a smartphone. There are also good door bins and a centre armrest with cupholders and a place for a device. The rear seats split fold 40:20:40 as standard. The middle section can be let down for through loading.
The boot does not disappoint with a generous 550 litres, which is among the best in class. Usefully it’s the same no matter which model you go for. It has a false floor that can be used to create a flat loading area. A powered tailgate will come as standard on Grandlands for the Irish market in Elegance and GS trims.
Driving the Grandland Hybrid
The first model to arrive in Ireland will be the Grandland Hybrid. It uses Opel’s new 1.2-litre petrol mild hybrid with 28 hp electric motor and an electrified 6-speed automatic dual clutch transmission. There is no charging required and in town and city driving it can drive up to 50% of the time on electric power alone. It starts silently in EV mode too. Press the accelerator a little harder and you will hear the familiar thrum of Opel’s 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine. There’s 136hp at its disposal with 0-100 km/h done in 10.2 seconds. But it feels livelier on the road than what those figures might suggest. The official consumption figure for this model is 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
New Grandland is built on parent company Stellantis Group’s new STLA Medium platform, just like the latest Peugeot 3008. The Grandland Hybrid gets a torsion beam suspension at the rear, compared to the multi link arrangement of Grandland Electric. But it still covers the road well, offering driver and occupants a smooth and comfortable ride. Steering is light and it’s not particularly exciting to drive, but the car grips well through corners and so is a confident, capable drive. It settles down well to a cruise on the motorway and the car is very quiet at speed.
Driving the Grandland Electric
While a plug-in hybrid is expected at some point with an EV driving range in the region of 87 kilometres, many buyers may choose to go straight to the Grandland Electric. There are a few battery options on offer, with very respectable range figures: 73kWh (523 kilometres) and 82kWh (582 kilometres). There’s also energy saving equipment like a heat pump and regenerative braking, with paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust its strength.
Grandland Electric uses a 213hp motor to power the front wheels and is a teeny bit quicker than the hybrid for a 0-100 km/h sprint in 9 seconds. It’s certainly not one geared up for scintillating performance. But it feels reassuringly solid on the road and corners with accuracy too. The Grandland Electric gets a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension to deal with the extra weight of the battery and it’s not too firm or bumpy over the road surface. Opel has also introduced Frequency Selective Damping for the electric and plug-in hybrid. This allows the dampers to react differently to the road surface and driving style for better balance between comfort and a dynamic drive.
DC fast charging is up to 160kW so it takes less than 30 minutes to charge to 80% battery capacity at a fast charging station.
Later a 97kWh battery will join the range with up to 700 kilometres of range.
Opel Grandland Pricing
Opel Ireland has released pricing for the Grandland Hybrid. It starts from €40,995 for the SC, from €42,995 for the Elegance and from €44,995 for the GS. Pricing for the Grandland Electric will be announced in the coming weeks.
Verdict
The new Grandland benefits greatly from its new platform and new technology, including plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and full battery electric options for the very first time.
Opel has given it more stand-out style, while the cabin benefits from an upgrade in soft furnishings and in-car technology. It’s not as glitzy as rivals like a Peugeot 3008 or Renault Austral, but many buyers will appreciate the more traditional controls and layout.
Grandland’s new dimensions certainly make it an entirely practical choice with plenty of rear seat passenger space and a big boot.
In a tough segment for compact SUVs, the new Grandland won’t rock the boat. But with a pleasant, comfortable driving character and plenty of practical power options, it’s a steady step up for Grandland.
Opel Grandland Video Review
Watch a video of the new Opel Grandland with Caroline from the launch in Germany to find out more about its comfort, practicality and equipment features.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
The post Opel Grandland Review (2024) appeared first on Changing Lanes.