Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Verdict – is the Vauxhall Grandland a good car?

The Vauxhall Grandland is an improvement over its predecessor in some key areas, thanks to a larger boot, an efficient mild-hybrid engine and the option of a fully-electric version for the first time, which boasts an impressive range. It’s not particularly good to drive, though, and while the interior is better than before, some scratchy plastics remain, which let it down. All in all, though, it’s much more competitive than the old car, and worth considering if you’re in the market for a stylish and practical mid-size SUV.

Vauxhall Grandland models, specs and alternatives

The Vauxhall Grandland is now in its second iteration, but it’s the first time the family SUV has had a clean-sheet redesign under Stellantis (parent company of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and others). As a result, this latest second-generation Grandland looks fresh compared with the old model that was starting to look dated despite its mid-life facelift.

The latest car gets the ‘Vauxhall Vizor’ front end right from the off, while the overall design is subtler and more mature. It gets some of the features from the brand’’s Vauxhall Experimental concept, such as illuminated ‘Vauxhall’ text on the tailgate breaking up the full-width light bar.

We think the Vauxhall Grandland is rather well priced, because you can get a mid-spec GS model with the hybrid engine for less than the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai. Bear in mind, though, that the Grandland’s engine is less powerful than those of the aforementioned rivals, so you will have to weigh up whether you’d rather have the extra oomph for a little more money.

Top 10 best family SUVs 2024

There are big changes under the skin, too – now the Grandland is built on a platform that allows for petrol and all-electric power, rather than simply petrol and hybrid engines like before. Entry-level cars start from £34,700 and get a mild-hybrid assisted 1.2-litre petrol engine with 134bhp. Go for the electric model and you’ll have to spend at least £40,995 – for that you get a 207bhp electric motor and 73kWh battery that’s good for up to 325 miles of range.

The Vauxhall Grandland is offered in three trim levels: Design, GS and Ultimate. Vauxhall says the latest Grandland is meant to be a little more upmarket in terms of quality and positioning than the outgoing model, and while it’s certainly better than the old Grandland, some of the scratchy plastics and gaps between trim pieces mean you wouldn’t call it premium. 

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You get a 10-inch infotainment screen on entry-level Design models, while this increases to 16 inches on the higher trims. Kit like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included, while the car sits on 19-inch wheels. GS cars get a sportier look courtesy of flashier wheels, a front light bar, and tinted windows, as well as more driver convenience tech. The Grandland Ultimate gets all the bells and whistles such as a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, 360-degree parking camera and even Nappa leather for a premium edge.
 

It actually doesn’t matter which version of the Grandland you go for as it’s a very efficient car in terms of fuel economy, while the electric model has a very usable 325 miles of range. Charging speeds for the electric version aren’t anything to write home about, but are about average. A plug-in hybrid model will arrive later, offering extra versatility, as well as another EV with a bigger battery. Read more about the Vauxhall Grandland's MPG, running costs & CO2 emissions...

The Vauxhall Grandland is quite uninspiring to drive, and the mild-hybrid model is rather sluggish. Keen drivers would be best looking elsewhere, but if refinement is a priority, the EV is a competent long-distance cruiser. Read more about the Vauxhall Grandland's engines, drive & performance...

The Grandland’s interior is much improved over that of the last model, but there are still some cheaper, scratchier plastics around the cabin. Entry-level models are well equipped, but you’ll have to go for the mid-range or top-spec versions to get the larger central infotainment screen. Read more about the Vauxhall Grandland's interior & comfort...

Boot space is a plus point for the Vauxhall Grandland with lots of room available. The Grandland does have a lot of interior space, but footroom is a little limited for rear-seat passengers. Read more about the Vauxhall Grandland's boot space, practicality & dimensions...

Vauxhall doesn’t perform particularly well in our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, and Euro NCAP is yet to put the Grandland through its paces in terms of safety, but it does come with a lot of safety assistance tech as standard, which should put it in good stead once it does get tested. Read more about the Vauxhall Grandland's reliability & safety...

Vauxhall Grandland alternatives

The Vauxhall Grandland goes up against a host of rivals in the crowded family SUV market. Many of these are now also offered with a hybrid setup, while all-electric models are starting to appear on the market, too.

• Nissan Qashqai
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Ford Kuga
• Skoda Enyaq
• Renault Scenic

Should you buy a Vauxhall Grandland?

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The Vauxhall Grandland is a huge improvement over the forgettable outgoing model, and now buyers have the option of a more refined EV model with a competitive range. The lineup will be expanding very soon with a larger battery option for the electric model and a plug-in hybrid version for even more versatility.

Unfortunately, though, the Grandland is very sluggish to drive, and the mild-hybrid version isn’t the most refined when you put your foot down, so keen drivers really would be best looking elsewhere.

The Grandland offers class-leading boot space, though, which is an important ingredient for a family SUV. There’s lots of room for passengers, too, although footroom is slightly limited for rear-seat passengers.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Vauxhall Grandland range?

While it’s fairly well equipped as standard, the entry-level Grandland Design does look quite pedestrian. We think it’s probably worth the extra £1,950 (at the time of writing) to upgrade to GS trim. Not only do you get a sportier look, there’s a good deal of extra kit thrown in, plus a larger 16-inch infotainment system.

How we tested the Vauxhall Grandland

We tested a left-hand drive Vauxhall Grandland on European roads in September 2024 and then a right-hand drive version in November 2024 in the UK.