Vauxhall Grandland X

LIGHTING, COMFORT AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

Vauxhall finally has a credible contender in the mid-sized SUV class. But just how competitive can this Grandland X model be? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Review

The Grandland X is the third member of Vauxhall's 'X' SUV family, which also includes the Mokka X and the Crossland X. With a sporty design and off-road looks, the Grandland X has elevated seating for five people, generous luggage space, good all-round visibility and a raft of safety technologies.

Background

It's surprising how long it's taken Vauxhall to get itself proper representation in the mid-sized 'Qashqai-class' family SUV segment. Yes, there was the Korean-built Antara model that sold between 2007 and 2016, but that car was crude, expensive to run and not very well built. Buyers almost universally ignored it. Which was a problem for the Griffin brand, at a time when Nissan Qashqais and Peugeot 3008s were flying from the showrooms.

Driving Experience

Engine-wise, Grandland X buyers are offered a PSA-sourced choice of units, either a three cylinder 130PS 1.2-litre petrol powerplant or a 120PS 1.6-litre CDTi diesel. There are manual and automatic transmission options in both cases. At the top of the range, there's an auto-only 177PS 2.0-litre CDTi range-topping model. Whatever your choice of engine, don't expect handling to be especially rewarding; if you want that, why on earth are you considering buying an SUV in the first place? Like most of its rivals, Vauxhall has focused instead on ride and refinement and you can expect high class standards to be matched in this regard.

Vauxhall doesn't think potential buyers in this segment really need 4WD. Instead, the brand offers an optional electronic Grip Control system that ensures traction in diverse driving situations. The driver has a choice of five driving modes: for each one the system adapts the torque distribution to the front wheels, allows wheel-spin if necessary, and, with the automatic transmission, adjusts shift points as well as throttle response. This ensures traction and stable handling regardless of the road surface. The brand continues to deliver on its commitment to lead in lighting technology, equipping the Grandland X with Adaptive Forward Lighting LED headlamps. With these, functions such as cornering light, high beam assist and auto levelling guarantee optimal illumination of the road ahead.

Design and Build

The Grandland X is a touch bigger than the mid-sized SUV Qashqai-class norm - and, Vauxhall hopes, a touch more distinctive. As usual, that's a matter of perspective: ours is that the Peugeot 3008 crossover this car is based upon is slightly more eye-catching, but you may think differently. The Grandland is certainly good looking enough to stand its corner on the school run. Above the front skid plate, the bold grille proudly displays the Vauxhall Griffin badge, chrome winglets embracing the brand logo and flowing outwards to the slim, double-wing LED headlamps. Muscular, sculpted wheel arches and protective cladding on the lower body deliver the required dose of 'SUV-ness' and an optional two-tone finish, with the roof in contrasting black, adds an extra touch of personalisation.

Inside, the instrument panel and centre console with touchscreen are clearly laid out and horizontally aligned to the driver. There's no sign of the 'love-it-or-hate-it' i-Drive cockpit of this model's Peugeot design stablemate, which sees 3008 buyers viewing the instrument dials over the steering wheel rim. That may be a relief for some. The centre stack has three horizontal rows of controls for fast and intuitive access to infotainment, climate control and chassis functions.

Market and Model

So, let's get to the pricing, which is mainly pitched in the £23,000 to £30,000 bracket - pretty much what you'd expect these days for a family-sized Qashqai-class compact Crossover with cutting-edge design. There's a choice of five trim levels - 'SE', 'Tech Line Nav', 'Sport Nav', 'Elite Nav' and 'Ultimate'. The most affordable variants use an impressively efficient three cylinder 1.2-litre 130PS turbo petrol unit - and that might be all you really need if your annual mileage is quite low. Most customers though, are likely to want to pay extra for the 1.6-litre CDTi diesel variant, this engine initially offered with 120PS. Model for model, the diesel is £1,355 more expensive to buy. Both engines come with the option of automatic transmission.

Across the range, the Grandland X offers a selection of ultra-modern assistance and comfort features. Adaptive Cruise Control with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness Alert, and Advanced Park Assist are just some highlights. AGR-certified premium ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats and a smart powered tailgate that opens with a kick, all ensure driver and passenger comfort.

Grandland X drivers and passengers can enjoy cutting-edge connectivity with the latest generation of IntelliLink infotainment systems and the personal connectivity and service assistant Vauxhall OnStar, which now includes new services such as hotel booking and parking space search. Smartphones can easily be integrated to the infotainment system and charged wirelessly via inductive charging on handsets with this function.

Cost of Ownership

It used to be that there was quite a big running cost penalty for choosing any sort of Crossover SUV over a conventional Focus-sized family hatch and the reason why was mainly down to weight. Take a Ford Kuga, for example, which weighs a hefty 1.6-tonnes, around 300kgs more than the Focus it's based upon. If, in contrast, you compare this Grandland X with its counterpart, the Astra hatch, the difference is around half that. Match that to cutting-edge engine technology with stop/start efficiency and you'd expect this Grandland X to deliver a near class-leading set of running cost returns - which it pretty much does.

You'll also need to know that Vauxhall includes a three-year, 60,000 mile warranty as standard, a package that can be extended up to five years and 100,000 miles at extra cost. A year's free breakdown cover is also provided, along with a six-year anti-corrosion guarantee. Plus you can opt for a service plan that lets you pay monthly to spread the cost of regular work to your car. As part of this, Vauxhall offers discounts on wear and tear items, such as brake pads and windscreen wipers.

Summary

The Grandland X is comfortable, good-looking, well-equipped and practical, all attributes that will endear it to likely showroom browsers. In short, if you want an SUV in this class, there's no real reason why you shouldn't consider this one. And that, for Vauxhall, is a big step forward.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Vauxhall Grandland X

PRICES: £22,310 - £33,995

INSURANCE GROUPS: 12E-18E

CO2 EMISSIONS: [1.2 130PS] 127g/km

PERFORMANCE: [1.2 130PS] 0-62mph 10.9s / Max Speed 117mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.2 130PS] (combined) 51.4mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front, side and curtain airbags, ESP-plus switchable stability control, Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Brake Lights

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height mm: 4477/1811/1630mm