Vauxhall Grandland

The Vauxhall Grandland is based on the same platform as the Peugeot 3008, following a deal between the two companies to jointly develop SUVs that preceded PSA’s eventual takeover. The Grandland competes in a segment dominated by the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan. At 4477mm long, 1844mm wide and 1636mm tall with a 514 litre boot, the Grandland’s dimensions put it in direct competition with the Tiguan (520 litres with the seats back and 615 forward), rather than the slightly smaller Qashqai. The Grandland has a sporty, off-road look and a heightened seating position typical of an SUV, sadly there is no four wheel drive option, it’s front wheel drive only.

 

The Grandland has been updated for 2022 with a new face, modelled on the Mokka, completely new headlights (with up to 84 individual LEDs each) alongside a new gloss-black grille insert. Depending on trim the Grandland can come with a dual-screen infotainment system comprising a central touchscreen and a digital driver’s display and as with all new cars the name is now placed in the centre of the boot.

 

Trim lines to Motability customers are Design, GS Line and Ultimate.  Design cars have a 7-inch colour touchscreen with smartphone projection, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, LED headlights, tail lights and daytime running lights, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and front and rear parking sensors. GS Line adds a 10-inch colour touchscreen with satellite navigation, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, 18-inch black alloy wheels, privacy glass and rear parking camera. Ultimate cars add heated seats, heated steering wheel and windscreen, electric tailgate, 19 inch alloys, alcantara seats, 360 degree parking camera, lane assist and adaptive cruise control.

 

The Grandland has two engine choices, neither of which are powerful enough to tow a caravan of any considerable size, Max braked weight for the diesel is 1400kg and as low as 1100kg for an auto petrol. The 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol with 128 bhp, shared with the Peugeot 3008, is a joy to drive around town, quiet and reasonably punchy, 0-62 in 11.1 seconds, it officially returns 43.5 mpg when fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox, managing 40.9 mpg if you choose the six speed automatic. If you cover higher miles or plan on using the Grandland fully loaded the new 1.5 128 bhp diesel with a 0-62 time of 10.2 seconds and 300nm of torque to give excellent low rev pull, economy is officially 57.7 mpg as a six speed manual or 54.3 mpg as a six speed automatic.

 

Grandland PHEV.  (Listed on Vauxhall site only)

The Grandland is now avaialble as a Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle, PHEV. The 13.2kWh battery offers a claimed electric only range of 39 miles and can charge at a rate of 3.3kW, from a standard plug it will take around 8 hours to charge or 3.5 hours from a wall charger. A 6.6kW charger can be added for £500, but it is really not worth it. The 1.6 litre petrol engine and the electric motor combined, when the batteries are charged, offer a combined 222bhp which is enough to get the car to 62mph from rest in 8.6 seconds. Prices for Q4 2022, October – December are £8749 AP in Ultimate trim or £9799 AP in GS trim.

 

Autumn Best Buy – Vauxhall Grandland  ‘Ultimate’ 1.2 litre 128bhp petrol manual  –  £1999 Advance Payment (£746 wpms)

Price reduced from previous quarter price Autumn Best Buy – Vauxhall Grandland ‘Ultimate’ 1.2 litre 128bhp  petrol Automatic  – £2599 Advance Payment (£1346 wpms)