Grandland is totally different than before

Opel in Ireland is banking on a change of fortunes with its new Grandland SUV just launched, as the previous generation Grandland and its sibling Crossland were something of a disappointment - both had underperformed in the Irish car market with the Grandland securing just one per cent of the C-SUV segment.

That previous model was launched here in 2017. Since 2019, the Opel franchise in Ireland has been operated by Gowan Auto, based in City West, Dublin, and the new distributors regard this latest Grandland as a milestone that sets new standards in the biggest segment in the market, where it’s very important to have a good ‘runner’ to drive sales. In recent times, the brand has been moving more upmarket and this is especially evident with the new Grandland, which is designed, engineered and made in Germany.

This latest Grandland is a totally different car than before. It is higher, wider and longer than the previous model and has a longer wheelbase which allows 20mm more inside room for rear passengers as well as providing improved ride comfort. It also gets bigger wheels. Three trims are available here — SC, Elegance, and GS.

Our two-day drive from Opel HQ up north to Newcastle in Co Down involved M1 motorway driving and some twisty rural routes from Newry through the Mourne Mountains to our destination in Newcastle and the next day taking the stunning scenic route around the peninsula headland from Newcastle and on to Warrenpoint, Newry and the M1 back to Dublin. It proved to be an excellent test drive opportunity and I believe this new model is worthy of consideration for Irish families as it ticks many of the boxes they could require.

Grandland now has a strong road presence with a high front end, flat bonnet, a first-ever illuminated Opel ‘blitz’ badge on the front, full-width edge lighting as well as a unique rear lighting signature and permanently-lit brand name across the rear. It all looked impressive.

From the moment we opened the doors of this five-seater SUV, it was evident this new car is well built with careful consideration to the interior styling.

Top marks to Opel for retaining key physical switches and knobs on the dash for easy access without the need to go through the 10-inch touchscreen, which is angled towards the driver and is smaller than in some new cars we drive. But it is easy to see and read and suits the whole ambience of the stylish dashboard.

Ergonomic seats were sublimely comfy - they're certified by AGR, an independent German association campaigning for healthy backs, especially while driving long distances.

A practical family car, you’ll find a total of 36 litres of cabin storage, wireless charging, a 12-litre refrigerated centre armrest storage area, a console bin that’s accessible from both sides in the front, and a flexible cup holder area. Rear seats split 40:20:40, which facilitates carrying long leisure equipment while not impacting too much on passenger capacity; the 550 litres of boot space is expandable to 1,645 litres.

There are over 500kg of ‘green’ materials in the trim materials, 95% of which are recoverable and 85% recyclable. Some 20% of the tyres' materials are from recycled materials.

Grandland offers drivetrains that are battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and 48-volt hybrid technology. So there’s an option to suit every customer's needs.

Our car was the 1.2 petrol 136ps Mild Hybrid version in a gorgeous copper colour which made it stand out in the car park. As a hybrid, you get automatic transmission, in this case 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The hybrid model delivers a significant reduction in C02 emissions and fuel consumption - a 19% improvement on the previous automatic transmission. In urban areas, you can drive in fully electric mode for over 50% of the time.

It surprised me just how easy this big car was to drive. Smooth and almost silent along all the various roads we travelled. For long-distance travel, Grandland is described as 'autobahn-proof' as Germans, in some cases, have far higher speed limits than here.

The all-electric 213hp version uses a 73kWh battery and has a WLTP-rated range of up to 523km.

Opel Ireland's road to electrification includes the repositioning of their EV models with a retail price significantly below the retail price of their hybrid equivalents. The price of the Grandland Electric SC retails from €39,065 plus delivery and inclusive of grants whilst the Grandland Hybrid SC retails from €40,995, plus delivery.

Last year was a milestone one for Opel who celebrated 125 years of automobile production.

PRICE: The Grandland Electric SC retails from €39,065 plus delivery and inclusive of grants whilst the Grandland Hybrid SC retails from €40,995 plus delivery.

Your Opel dealer in Mayo is Rochford Motors in Ballyhaunis. See their advertisement below.