Five reasons why Vauxhall’s brand new Grandland is poshest and most sophisticated motor the company has ever made
THE old Vauxhall Grandland? Poundland. This new one? Very Grandland.
Here are five things you need to know about the poshest, most sophisticated Vauxhall yet.
1. Yes. You are correct. The Griffin badge is illuminated. Vauxhall is one of the first to do this after a law change.
The word Vauxhall glows up across the back too. Pretty cool. Chrome is dead.
Also, those IntelliLux headlights have 50,000 pixels – compared to just 168 before – so you can imagine the carpet of light they project on to the road at night.
They also do a little welcome dance.
2. Power to the people. You’ve got three choices – 1.2-litre petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric for the first time.
The standard battery will do 300 miles-plus.
The long-range battery will do 400 miles-plus. We’re getting there, aren’t we?
3. Top-notch cabin. Unlike anything we’ve seen from Vauxhall before. Soft-touch materials on the dash and everywhere that matters.
Super-wide 16in touchscreen with over-the-air software updates – so it never gets old.
Special grooved seats to stop your bum going numb on long runs. Head-up display projects essential data on to the windscreen in front of you – and keeps your eyes on the road.
And we always like to see proper buttons for volume and air con.
4. Much space everywhere. Grandland has grown 17cm to 4.6 metres, making it a smidge longer than the Kia Sportage.
Bigger boot, more rear legroom and in-cabin storage trumps the Volkswagen Tiguan. Strictly a five-seater. No plans for a 5+2.
5. Finally, price. Vauxhall will confirm prices in June but I reckon £33k for the mild-hybrid and £44k and upwards for the battery-powered version.
Vauxhall design boss Mark Adams said: “We are a brand that’s in the heart of the market, the heart of British society, and we think we’re bringing sophistication, quality and technology to a vehicle that our customers can be proud of.”
One hundred per cent.