GRAND DESIGNS(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 77

Thanks to its association with the French PSA conglomerate, Vauxhall was able to introduce a Plug-in version of its mid-sized Grandland X SUV back in 2019. Now that car, rebadged simply 'Grandland', has been upgraded inside and out, with a Hybrid range primarily based around the more affordable front-driven drivetrain. It remains an undeniably interesting package for a family buyer wanting a degree of EV tech but not quite ready to take the plunge into full-battery motoring.

Background word count: 88

You might well have overlooked the existence of Vauxhall's Grandland mid-sized SUV, so, just to remind you, this is the Luton brand's version of the design which, with different bodywork but the same engineering is sold by Peugeot as the 3008 and by Citroen as the C5 Aircross. Both those cars feature plug-in hybrid electrified technology so, naturally, this Grandland gets it too - primarily in front-driven 225PS form. Compared to PHEV rivals, it's a value-orientated package that now gains a sharper look and a more modern cabin.

Driving Experience word count: 256

These days, Vauxhall primarily offers this Hybrid Grandland model with the lowered-powered 2WD 225PS petrol drivetrain; no one seemed much interested in the 4WD powertrain with 300PS, so it's been restricted to a rare top GSe performance variant. The engine either way is a Peugeot-derived 1.6-litre petrol turbo unit, mated in the front-driven version to a single electric motor with drive via an 8-speed auto gearbox. It's a pretty rapid confection - 62mph from rest in the 2WD model takes 8.9s on the way to a top speed of 140mph (it's 84mph in all-electric drive, but getting anywhere near that would decimate the quoted 34 mile driving range capability). The bulk of this particular contender (1,735kgs) is evident in the slightly firmer way it rides across more terrible tarmac tears, an issue the engineers have tried to address with softer suspension settings. Which in turn results in an extra degree of body roll through the bends should you try and chuck this car about in the kind of manner a typical owner never would. You get three main driving modes, with the one you'll be using most of the time being the 'Hybrid' setting that chooses the best mix of electric and petrol propulsion to suit the driving style whilst optimising efficiency. The alternative settings are either 'Sport' (where the car combines the power of the electric and petrol motors to offer livelier performance). And 'Electric' (where the car uses only the battery-powered electric motor, resulting in an ultra-quiet and smooth drive with zero exhaust emissions.