When the original Grandland first appeared in Vauxhall showrooms back in 2017, it marked something of a turning point for the British brand. After years of trying to compete at the budget end of the market, the car set out to go head-to-head with the best vehicles on offer in the fiercely contested family SUV market. While that original car may not have quite been up to the task, the latest offering represents a major step forward. Launched in 2024, the second-generation car is built on Stellantis’ advanced STLA Medium platform, which is also utilised in the likes of the Peugeot 3008, 5008 and Jeep Compass. Here is everything you need to know about the new Grandland.
The all-new Vauxhall Grandland feels like a genuine step forward for the brand. It’s more spacious, more refined and far more technologically advanced than before, while retaining the comfort and ease of use buyers expect. It may not excite keen drivers, but as a family SUV, it makes a lot of sense.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioIt is often said that the biggest factor blocking EV takeup is price, but in the case of the Grandland, the cheapest car in the range actually comes with an all-electric powertrain. Entry-level versions of the basic ‘Design’ model start at just £35,455, once the government’s Electric Car Grant has been applied. Meanwhile, the hybrid equivalent is priced slightly higher at £36,600. At the other end of the scale, the range-topping ‘Ultimate’ model costs £38,495 for the most expensive electric version, with the hybrid equivalent coming in at £39,725. Having only launched late in 2024, used stock remains thin on the ground, but second-hand versions can be found on AA Cars for around £25,000, representing excellent value when compared to buying the car new. For those who are on the lookout for value, first-generation cars start at around £5,000.
The second-generation Grandland sees Vauxhall build on its burgeoning reputation for electrification. As such, the car can no longer be bought in traditional petrol-only form and is instead available as a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full EV. When it comes to engine sizes, mild-hybrid versions get a turbocharged three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol unit, while plug-in hybrids get a heftier 1.6-litre engine. These are teamed with varying electric motors, depending on which car you go for, with the most powerful set-up offering around 300 bhp. Electric versions get a powerful 73kWh battery and 207 bhp motor, which will take the car from 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds. There is also a Long-Range version with a 98kWh battery for extra distance between charges.
Driving the Grandland, you are struck by just how much more refined and grown-up it is than the first-generation car. With all cars getting some sort of electrification, it feels smooth and quiet, especially at low speeds, which makes inner-city driving an absolute breeze. Despite its chunky, SUV proportions, the Grandland actually feels pretty light on its feet and is fairly manoeuvrable around town, helped by a strong, high driving position. When you get out of town and head for the motorway, the Grandland settles down as a comfortable and relaxing cruiser. Wind and road noise are kept well under control, and the suspension irons out most imperfections with ease. Electric models offer instant acceleration, which is excellent for quick overtakes, but even the mild-hybrid versions offer a good level of torque. While the car is not what you would call ‘exciting,’ its refined and comfortable offering is certainly not to be sniffed at.
The Grandland’s chassis has been set up for comfort, and as a result it does lack the pure engagement that you find in some of the sportier family SUVs, like the SEAT Ateca or Ford Kuga. On twisty roads, there is a lack of dynamism that will disappoint those looking for pure driving pleasure, with the car’s light steering offering little in the way of feedback. Having said that, sporty driving really is not what the Grandland was designed to do. It is a car built to be driven sensibly and on that front, the car really does succeed. The soft suspension results in a composed and forgiving ride that is just as unlikely to damage your spine as it is to provide any real driving thrills.
One of the biggest leaps forward that this Grandland takes over its predecessor is the interior, which feels far more upmarket than the old car ever did. The dashboard is dominated by a 10-inch central touchscreen which sits alongside a 10 or 12-inch digital instrument cluster for a clean, modern look. There are also a number of soft-touch surfaces, which become more prominent as you move through the range, and on the whole everything feels well put-together and of higher quality than the old car. While all that is great, if there is one criticism to be made of the cabin, it would be that it is very much on the bland side of things. Everything is very functional, but it just lacks a bit of colour and feels a little soulless. It may be markedly better than the old Grandland, but compared to its rivals, it does still feel a tiny bit behind.
Throughout this piece, it feels like I have been bashing the old Grandland slightly, but one area it was always strong in was practicality. The new model has taken that reputation and built on it. The car offers 550 litres of boot capacity, although most models do not get an electric tailgate, which you would normally expect in a car of this price. The space itself offers plenty of room for family luggage, pushchairs and shopping, and electric versions have an underfloor compartment for storing charging cables too. Inside the cabin, you will find bags of storage and plenty of room for all passengers.
Apart from the slight mishap with the electric tailgate, which is only available on top-spec cars, the Grandland is generally pretty well equipped. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a large touchscreen infotainment system and full smartphone connectivity including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As you move through the trim levels, you find more premium touches, including heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic glass roof, premium audio and advanced parking assistance systems.
The Grandland can be bought in ‘Design’, ‘GS’ and ‘Ultimate’ trim levels, each of which add an extra layer of tech. The middling ‘GS’ version probably represents the sweet spot, but it is worth exploring electric versions of higher trim levels with so many EV discounts currently floating around. All cars come with a black contrast roof, with body colour options including Arctic White, Impact Copper, Carbon Black, Crystal Silver, Spectrum Blue, and Graphic Grey.
The Grandland comes with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and blind spot monitoring. The car has a four-star rating from Euro NCAP, with the judges impressed by how safe it is for child occupants. Reliability should also be solid, with the latest Grandland benefiting from proven Stellantis components.
With a heavily electrified line-up, the Grandland was always going to perform well when it comes to efficiency, with even the mild-hybrid claiming to do an impressive figure. Elsewhere, the plug-in hybrid can officially do 204 mpg, although this relies on using electric power only and stopping regularly to charge. The standard electric car has a claimed range of 325 miles between top-ups, rising to 435 miles in the long-range edition. CO2 emissions range from zero for electric models to around 125 g/km for hybrid variants, with most versions enjoying low road tax costs. When buying top-spec cars, it is worth being aware of how much you spend on optional extras, as vehicles over £40,000 qualify for the government’s Expensive Car Supplement, which costs an extra £425 a year for five years, applied from the second year of registration.
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