Vauxhall Grandland review - Engines, drive & performance

The Vauxhall Grandland is available with two powertrain options from launch: a 1.2-litre turbocharged mild hybrid and an electric model for the first time. A plug-in hybrid will arrive later, as well as another electric version with a larger battery.

Unfortunately, the Grandland doesn’t feel very well suited to British roads if you’re a keen driver. We found it rather jiggly to ride along in, transmitting many of the road’s imperfections into the cabin. The EV version is better than the Hybrid in this sense, partly because it’s fitted with more sophisticated adaptive suspension. 

Is it good to drive in town?

The Vauxhall Grandland is surprisingly quiet at lower speeds in mild-hybrid guise, making it rather serene to drive. The small electric motor can operate at speeds of up to 84mph, which makes for a refined drive so long as the combustion engine doesn’t have to kick in. We were disappointed that, though the car can run on electricity for short periods, there’s no option to view what the powertrain is doing, so you never know when or if the combustion engine is going to kick in. While it won’t be to everyone’s taste, the steering is also exceptionally light for easy manoeuvring.

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Is it good to drive on long journeys?

Building on what’s just been said of the mild hybrid at lower speeds, the same can’t be said when you put your foot down to reach motorway speeds. It stays serene when the 1.2-litre engine doesn’t kick in, but when it does it’s rather noisy and unrefined. It is, at least, paired with a smooth automatic gearbox, but the sluggish performance is rather painful. While the electric version is slightly brisker, acceleration is still rather slow in the grand scheme of things.

It’s not all bad, though – the Grandland is well insulated from road and wind noise which makes it a good car for peaceful cruising, especially the EV.

Is it good to drive on B-roads?

The Vauxhall Grandland isn’t the sort of model you’d look forward to taking for an entertaining drive. While the steering is well weighted, there’s very little by way of feedback through the wheel. It’s capable, grippy enough, and it feels stable with little body roll (moreso in electric guise), but keen drivers will be disappointed driving the Grandland. The closely-related Peugeot E-3008 is a sharper steer if that appeals to you, as is the Cupra Tavascan.

Petrol models

The Vauxhall Grandland is powered by a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol engine producing a total of 134bhp, which isn’t a whole lot for a family SUV. Unfortunately that means it’s quite sluggish, feeling particularly noticeable when you put your foot down. 

Plug-in hybrid models

A plug-in hybrid version of the Vauxhall Grandland is on its way, but details about this model are yet to be released.

Electric models 

For the first time, the Vauxhall Grandland is offered as a full EV. This model gets a higher power figure than the entry-level petrol, though it’s not quite as punchy as many buyers have come to expect of electric models. The electric model also comes with regenerative braking tech which can be adjusted to three levels – unfortunately there’s no one-pedal driving mode.

Carbuyer notes

“The EV is the more comfortable model on long trips; the hybrid feels unsettled in comparison” Alastair Crooks, Senior news editor.