Vauxhall Grandland - review

It’s the car’s ease of living with and its practicality which shines through most, says David Williams
Vauxhall

Vauxhall fans’ attention was firmly on the Grandland X this month with news that a Hybrid4 version will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany next month, making it the first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to be released by the firm.

It will have an electric drive system with two electric motors, all-wheel drive, a 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery and a 1.6T four-cylinder petrol engine generating an impressive, combined 300hp.

Claimed to offer up to 166mpg and 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds, it’s going to be quite a car, with prices ranging from £35,590 for the ‘entry’ model to £45,450 for the range-topping Ultimate Nav.

But the fact that this super-clean version won’t be arriving in showrooms until January next year – and the premium prices - needn’t deter London buyers who want what the flexible Grandland X has to offer, on more of a budget.

One of the great strengths - as I’ve discovered on long family trips, runs to the garden centre, drives to the dump and dog-walking trips - is that the 1.2-litre petrol-engined version puts on quite a show, from a starting price of £24,785.

And if the engine sounds a bit on the small side – think again. Traditionally, all-rounder family cars came with big 2-litre, or 1.6-litre engines, to ensure they could do all that was required of them; carting around car-loads of kids, towing, and tackling long trips. Today, a host of car manufacturers are devising ever-smaller engines that do just as good a job, while sipping a fraction of the fuel and creating far lower emissions.

It’s fair to say that the beating heart of the Grandland X Elite Nav 1.2 Turbo Start/Stop which I’ve been driving is its 1.2-litre engine which comes in three-cylinder form, offering 128 PS.

Vauxhall

It’s no fireball, mustering 0-60mph in 9.5 seconds and with a top speed of 117mph but for most that’s enough - and it’s the way it does it that matters. Matched to a slick-changing six-speed manual gearbox it’s a nippy, willing, sweet-sounding engine that provides plenty of flexibility.

Lugging along motorways or long A-roads, sixth gear will do it almost all the time, even when towing, as I have found. But if you enjoy a more lively drive - with more revs, more gearchanges - it’s good for that too, even if there is some roll in bends; a pay-off for the supple ride.

Best of all is the Grandland X’s unassuming, all-round practicality. Hidden beneath the smart blue bodywork (why is it almost always ordered in blue?) is a cabin with plenty of leg, shoulder and headroom for front-seat passengers. In the back, space is reasonable rather than gargantuan and while the welcome, full-length panoramic sunroof nibbles headroom slightly, I’ve carried six-footers without complaints and it creates an airy ambience.

The boot, too, is decently sized and - as there’s no ‘proper’ spare tyre - there’s plenty of oddment storage under the boot floor too, which we’ve made the most of on weeks away. On the road it’s proved plenty big enough for long journeys and the elevated driving position is good for unobstructed views of the road.

Vauxhall

It’s the car’s ease of living with and its practicality which shines through most, however. With rear seats folded down, it’s proved capable of carting umpteen bags of soil and a border-full of flowers back from the garden centre.

On surprisingly frequent runs to university digs, it’s swallowed bedding, clothing, guitars, cacti, ukuleles, pots and pans, food and sports equipment without complaint. Other goodies which have made the Grandland X particularly easy to live with have included the powered tailgate, Bluetooth streaming, the USB connection with iPod control, cruise control with intelligent speed adaptation and - invaluable in and around London - Speed Sign Recognition.

Other safety kit includes lane departure warning, deflation detection system, six airbags, forward collision alert and side blind spot alert. It’s quite on motorways, too.

In London this car is a great performer with a good turning circle, light steering, good vision out and it’s easy to park, especially with its rear-view camera. It might not be as emissions-friendly as that exciting, upcoming new Grandland X hybrid but - with emissions at 121 g/km and a claimed combined consumption figure of 53.3mpg, it’s an appealing proposition.

Details: Vauxhall Grandland X Elite Nav 1.2 (130PS) Turbo Start/Stop

Price: £27,760 (without above options)

Top speed: 117mph

0-60mph: 9.5 seconds.

Claimed combined MPG: 53.3

CO2 Emissions: 121 g/km

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