Opel delivers with stylish new Grandland SUV

Opel’s new Grandland SUV has just gone on sale here in Ireland. It is being offered with a choice of electric or hybrid powertrains.

The new Opel Grandland Hybrid SC level one trim retails here from €40,995 plus delivery charges. The Grandland Electric with a similar SC trim starts from €39,065, inclusive of SEAI grant. Annual road tax for the hybrid versions is €200, while the EV Opel Grandland is €120 per annum.

The first Opel to use the STLA Medium platform, the new Grandland hybrid comes with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine with 100 kW (136 hp) as well as 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor and electrified six-speed dual clutch transmission. Opel claims the new technology enables fully electric travel up to 50 per cent of the time in urban settings.

Two electric versions of the Grandland are initially being offered; the 73kWh version (523km range/160kW DC charging), and an 82kWh version (582km/150kW DC charging). An even larger 97kWh battery offering up to 700km range is expected later this year.

The new Opel Grandland is slightly longer and marginally wider, with a little increase in headroom. It also features larger wheels than the outgoing version. It is 173mm longer, 49mm wider, 36mm higher, and 20mm more legroom in the rear. It also has 1,645 litres load volume in the boot as well as 36 litres of cabin storage.

Combined with its 19-inch alloy wheels and sporting a two-toned floating roof (GS trim), contrast cladding, and sharp wheel-arch lines, it sits at the top of Opel’s soon to be new SUV portfolio. A new Mokka should arrive next month (March) and the all-new Frontera is expected this summer, again with a choice of all-electric or hybrid.

On the outside, a new 3D front Vizor with the illuminated Blitz logo sits at the centre front, standard on the level three GS trim. A new distinctive illuminated OPEL lettering at the rear, first seen on the Opel Experimental concept car revealed in 2023, is standard across all three trims.

The new Grandland is also the first Opel with the brand’s impressive new glare-free Intelli-Lux HD light technology. According to Opel, it features more than 50,000 lighting elements, and is standard on GS trims. Someone at Opel came up with a great tag for this super practical technology -‘It turns night into day’.

Inside, depending on the trim level, there is a 10- or 16-inch multi-media central display, combined with a high centre console, while behind the steering wheel lies a fully digital driver cluster. Drivers also have the option of triggering the ‘Pure Mode’ to reduce content on the driver displays to ensure even less distraction.

In typical Opel tradition, frequently used settings such as climate control can also be operated intuitively via a few remaining buttons.

A choice of six colours is on offer, to include new ‘Impakt Copper’ and ‘Spektrum Green’ options, whilst three trims make up the range: ‘SC’, ‘Elegance’, and ‘GS’.

The level one Grandland SC trim (Hybrid from €40,995 / Electric from €39,065) boasts as standard, the new illuminated OPEL rear logo, adaptive cruise control, a 10-inch infotainment ‘Pure Panel’ multi-media screen with phone projection, a 10-inch driver information cluster, 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, power folding mirrors, as well as a smart key with passive entry and start.

The level two Grandland Elegance trim (Hybrid from €42,995 / Electric from €40,936) adds as standard, AGR driver/passenger seats, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, rear view camera, power tailgate.

The range-topping Grandland GS trim (Hybrid from €44,995 / Electric from €43,763) further boasts a 16-inch Infotainment Pure Panel HD multi-media screen with navigation, IntelliLux 50K pixel HD Headlamps, the new 3D illuminated Vizor with edge light technology, two tone black roof, privacy glass and wireless charger.

Opel was not happy with the sales levels achieved by the last Grandland in a strong SUV segment. However, having driven the new Grandland, I would be confident that Opel has got its formula spot on, and the new model will attract many new buyers to the brand.

Interestingly, Opel is the first German car manufacturer to offer a full electric portfolio offering across both their passenger car and light commercial (van) ranges.