Review

It’s probably fair to say that the Vauxhall Grandland is getting a bit long in the tooth. While its development was completed in partnership with Groupe PSA, there are still ties to Vauxhall’s General Motors era. This is most evident in the switchgear and the half-baked integration of the infotainment system.

The Grandland has always been a model that ticks a lot of boxes on paper but has never really found itself at the top of anyone’s choice list.

Sharing a base with the Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot 3008, the Grandland is the most sensible model of the trio. It’s conventional and simplistic, but lacks any real emotional appeal.

As it nears the end of its life – there’s a fresh model coming, with an electric powertrain – Vauxhall has introduced a new hybrid engine to the line-up.

Based on a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, the Grandland Hybrid is equipped with a small electric motor and a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The system develops 136PS, which is ample for a family-friendly crossover like the Grandland.

There’s a limited zero-emission capability. Essentially, at very low speeds, the petrol engine can shut down, relying on just the electric motor for propulsion. But most of the time the engine is used in conjunction with the motor.

It’s a frugal three-cylinder unit that gets the job done efficiently. Official fuel consumption is rated at 50mpg. During our test we were seeing 44mpg in real-world driving.

The transmission is much smoother and quicker to shift than the eight-speed unit used in other automatic Grandlands. From a dead stop, the Grandland Hybrid picks up instantly thanks to the electric motor’s ability to assist the engine.

It’s a quiet engine too. There’s not a great deal of noise intrusion and, when you are working the unit harder, it emits a more pleasant thrum than its four-cylinder equivalents.

We’d describe the ride as firm but fair. There’s a little more harshness than we’d like, but it does keep body roll to a minimum. Not that the Grandland is a particularly driver-focused model.

It works best when pottering around town, making use of that electrified powertrain, or when cruising on the motorway where it’s relaxing and efficient.

Compared to rivals, the Grandland’s interior feels dated. The central infotainment screen was updated as part of the facelift but it still uses older software than the latest Vauxhall models.

You do get a decent array of kit, however. The mid-spec GS version comes with sat-nav, parking sensors, reversing camera, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry.

Prices start at £32,415, for the Design grade. GS costs £34,675 and range-topping Ultimate is £38,325.

The hybrid powertrain has CO2 emissions of 124-127g/km. Company car drivers can therefore expect to pay around £170 per month in benefit-in-kind tax.

A comparative Kia Sportage Hybrid (GT-Line), costing £35,485, would attract slightly more tax but has lower overall running costs and provides a more potent 215PS power output.

For those that want a no-nonsense crossover that’s spacious and easy to drive, you can’t go wrong with a Grandland. In lieu of a diesel option, the Hybrid offers impressive fuel economy, refinement and adequate performance. However, the market is rich with rivals and for company car drivers there’s an array of plug-in hybrid and electric models that could be a more tempting financial proposition.

More Vauxhall reviews More Medium SUV reviews

Rivals

Specs

Manufacturer Vauxhall
Model Grandland Hatchback
Specification Vauxhall Grandland Hatchback 1.2 Hybrid [136] GS 5dr e-DCT6
Model Year 2023.00
Annual VED (Road tax) £210
BIK List Price £34,420
CO2 125g/km
BIK Percentage 30%
Insurance Group N/A
CC 1,199
Fuel Type Petrol
Vehicle Type Medium SUV
Luggage capacity (Seats up) 514litres

Running Costs

51.3 MPG (WLTP)
125g/km CO2
£210 VED
P11D £34,420
Cost per mile 52.26ppm
Residual value £13,150
Insurance group N/A
Fuel Type Petrol
Cost per mile 152.12ppm
Fuel 13.02ppm
Depreciation 137.25ppm
Service maintenance and repair 1.85ppm

Info at a glance

  • P11D Price
    £34,420
  • MPG
    51.3 (WLTP)
  • CO2 Emissions
    125g/km
  • BIK %
    30%
  • Running cost
    3 Year 60k : 52.26 4 Year 80k : £10,475
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol