OPEL UNVEILS GRANDLAND SUV WITH ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAINS, HANDSOME LOOKS, AND CLASSY INTERIOR

Vauxhall - known in America as Opel - has unveiled the all-new Grandland, the British brand’s answer to popular crossovers like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Based on the STLA Medium platform, the Grandland offers a wide array of electrified powertrains, with mild-hybrid engines to battery-electric versions on offer. The Grandland will wear the Opel badge in specific markets outside the United Kingdom.

The lineup starts with the Grandland Hybrid, which uses a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. It produces 134 horsepower and is paired with a 28-hp electric motor. Power is sent to the drive wheels via a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Next up is the Grandland Plug-In Hybrid, which uses the same three-pot motor but has an estimated all-electric range of 53 miles.

An Electrified Powertrain To Suit All Needs

At the top of the range, there’s the Grandland Electric. Equipped with a 98 kWh battery, the EV has an estimated range of 435 miles, based on provisional WLTP figures. Vauxhall says the STLA Medium architecture allows for a flat battery pack, which, together with the latest electric motor tech and heat pump, saves energy and contributes to the impressive range figure. Unfortunately, Vauxhall has yet to publish power and performance data for the EV. Still, Autocar reports that a dual-motor variant with 312 hp and a smaller 73 kWh battery will be available at a later date.

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The automaker says the Grandland’s battery can be recharged to 80% in just 26 minutes when plugged into a fast charger. Three-level regenerative braking allows the driver to recuperate energy at a pace suiting their driving style. Vauxhall has tuned the Grandland to deliver an entertaining on-road experience with frequency selective damping technology that improves the ride quality while simultaneously creating a more sporty driving feel.

Bigger And More Spacious Than Before

Larger than the model it replaces, the new Grandland measures 183 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 65.4 inches tall. The increased dimensions have resulted in a 109.6-inch wheelbase (a 4.6-inch improvement), which means more space for occupants and luggage. Visually, the Grandland adopts the company’s new “Vauxhall Compass” design language, first previewed on the smaller Mokka and Astra. The new 3D Vizor, with the illuminated Griffin badge, has been further enhanced by Edge Light Technology. The overall result is a clean and sophisticated look, with the front fascia appearing more premium than before. The Intelli-Lux Pixel Matrix HD headlights are worth mentioning, with each side containing 25,600 elements that allow for precise and high-definition light distribution.

At the rear, the Vauxhall name is illuminated within the lightbar. In keeping with the brand’s sustainability goals, Vauxhall has embossed the model name in the tailgate, doing away with traditional chrome lettering. Elsewhere, the Grandland boasts a two-tone paint job with a floating roof and contrasting body fixtures. This makes the crossover appear even longer than its dimensions suggest. With machine-polished wheels, a two-tone roof, and contrast panels, the Grandland has more than a hint of the BMW XM in its profile.

Classy Interior Trimmed With Sustainable Materials

The interior is a mix of practicality, technology, and luxury features. Starting with the design, it’s cleaner and more straightforward than vehicles from sister brand Peugeot (such as the new E-5008), but still attractive. The driver benefits from a fully digital cluster, and a head-up display is also available. Sitting in the center of the dashboard is a 16-inch touchscreen; happily, Vauxhall has retained the physical climate control buttons.

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The brand has used tasteful fabric inserts to create a warm and luxurious environment. Interestingly, the side air vents, like those in the E39 5 Series, have been positioned on the doors and create the impression of a wider instrument panel. The Grandland is fitted with ergonomic seats and powered bolsters, with a ventilation and massage function for the driver. All the fabrics used throughout the cabin are 100% recycled. The increased wheelbase has resulted in 0.8 inches of extra legroom for rear passengers, while trunk space has grown by 1.27 cubic feet to 19.42 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats down increases this to 57.95 cubes.

Tech And Safety Features

On the tech front, the Grandland will ship standard with adaptive cruise control (with stop and go), traffic sign recognition, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, and In-Crash Braking, which slows the car down during an accident, reducing the risk of a second collision. An Intelli-Drive 2.0 system with additional driver assists is available at extra cost and includes semi-automated lane-change assist and a 360-degree Intelli-Vision camera.

While the Grandland isn’t destined for the United States, there’s a possibility that advancements seen here will trickle down to American market Stellantis vehicles from Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep. It’s worth noting that several Vauxhall/Opel vehicles were offered in America, albeit under different brands, when General Motors controlled both marques. Examples include the Saturn Astra (Opel/Vauxhall Astra), Buick Regal (Opel/Vauxhall Insignia), Buick Cascada (Opel/Vauxhall Cascada), and the Cadillac Catera (Opel/Vauxhall Omega). The Grandland will reach UK dealers in autumn, with order books opening in July.