Opel Grandland X | Video Review | CarsIreland.ie

Published on 14 February, 2018

The new Opel Grandland X: Grand? Yes. But there's no real X factor

Overview

Overview

First they gave us the Mokka X, then there was the Crossland X, and now Opel have completed their triple X line up with this, the Grandland X – a full size, full fat SUV with some very stiff competition to live up to.

It's a relatively handsome machine, even if it's unlikely to win any awards for innovative design, but the tall, boxy stance does give it some formidable road presence.

Interior Gallery

The boot can hold up to 514 litres, which is not the biggest in the class. It is larger than a Nissan Qashqai (430l) but quite a bit smaller than the Volkswagen Tiguan (615l). On the plus side it is quite practically-shaped and easy to load with no lip to lift things over. An electronic tailgate comes as standard on the SRi model upwards which can be opened with the wave of a foot - very handy when you've got your hands full of shopping.

In the back, again it feels quite middle of the road. It’s not in any way cramped but it’s not huge either, especially in terms of knee room. There is however, plenty of headroom, and enough width to sit three in a row quite comfortably, with no annoying hump in the middle of the floor.

Sit into the driving seat and prepare to get very comfortable, because Opel do a seriously good seat. The big bolstered back support makes it easy to settle in to for a long journey, as does the amount of adjustment in the driving position.

The interior itself is smart, if a little bit predictable. The problem with this car is that it is very closely related to the Peugeot 3008, and when you look at what they’ve managed to do with that cabin, this one starts to look a little dull. While it might not be very exciting, it is very user-friendly, everything is where you expect it to be and it comes with one of the better infotainment systems on the market today which is Opel’s Intellilink.

The 8 inch colour screen comes with all the latest smartphone integration, as well as USB and Bluetooth connectivity. All models also get Opel’s impressive OnStar system, an inbuilt support system which will call the emergency services with details of your location if you’re in an accident, and possibly even save your life. It's also a useful convenience feature, with 24/7 call centre support on hand to help you find your nearest Pizza parlour, or other similarly vital services.

It also acts as a portable WiFi HotSpot which will allow you to connect up to seven devices at a time, surely enough to keep everyone on board connected, entertained and most importantly, quiet.

Our test car was the mid-range, but very well specced SRi model. It comes equipped with SatNav, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, and ambient lighting in the cabin. On the styling front you get 18 inch alloy wheels and tinted windows. As for safety, it comes with lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and a full five star rating on the Euro NCAP safety test.

Engine line-up at the moment is a straight call between a 1.6l diesel or a 1.2l litre petrol which is what was under the hood of our test car. A claimed fuel economy of 5.1l/100km and €200 tax bill make it quite tempting as petrol options go.

Now a 1.2l petrol might sound like quite a small engine to be powering a sizeable SUV like this one, but just like many of its counterparts downsizing to smaller petrols at the moment, a turbo charger helps it push out enough power at 130 PS so that it never feels like it’s struggling.

And it doesn’t. But...

It doesn’t feel particularly exciting either. The power uptake can be a little jerky, and the gearshift could do with being a bit slicker, and less clunky. Unlike some other SUVS with more car-like handling, you tend to feel more of its bulk on the road. Overall, it lacks the refinement of many of its rivals, most notably, the Nissan Qashqai.

The positive side of driving it is that it is extremely comfortable, thanks in part to those superb seats, and the optional winter pack that will heat them up on a cold morning. It also adds a heated steering wheel, which is a particularly nice touch. The suspension set up is on the softer end of the spectrum which means it does a good job of cushioning you from any rough road surface, the drawback being that it rolls a bit on corners.

Families will certainly appreciate some of what it has to offer, most notably the feeling of comfort, space and safety, but for those who like to drive for pleasure – there are more engaging rivals out there.

The Grandland X is impressive when it comes to technology in the cabin, good to look at and comfortable for all on board. It's a well rounded offering in many ways, but it may just be too 'middle of the road' to fend off competition from both its more established rivals, and some new and more exciting competitors.

Facts & Figures

Sinead McCann

Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives