Opel Grandland EV review: electric SUV offers good range and undercuts hybrids on price
in GS trim there is a lot going on here. Very impressive
IT IS not often in these columns that you will see us plump for the electric variant in a model line-up which includes a variety of internal combustion engine options as well. Then again, there's a first time for everything.
The car in question is the new Opel Grandland, which was reviewed in petrol hybrid form in these columns in the not-so-distant past and which only secured a three-star rating, being panned generally for having poor driving dynamics — even if it is comfortable, well-specified, and competitively priced.
Good looking too, this new Grandland. Having previously been something of a staid, boring family SUV, a refreshed look has given it a much-needed visual boost and an appeal that didn't previously exist.
In many ways, the new generation of cars should be well placed to take advantage of renewed appeal and sell in larger numbers than ever before.
However, we found that the mild hybrid petrol engine lacked the puff to carry this big-ish car around the place with any alacrity, although — – as we know — such a characteristic is not necessarily top of the list for many punters.
Even so, we felt a touch disappointed by the new car — certainly in that format — despite the fact that Opel's stock has risen inexorably since it came under the wing of the PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen etc) having been sold by its previous owners, General Motors.
With the French giant having subsequently merged into the Stellantis conglomerate, Opel still has stronger ties with the Gallic end of the business — probably more than any of the other elements of the group: Fiat, Chrysler and so on.
In the case of the Grandland, which is very closely related to Peugeot's new 3008, that has been pretty beneficial.
We particularly saw that in this week's tester, the EV version of the car.
We've not yet tried the electric 3008, but having driven the Grandland EV, doing so would not be the chore it might once have appeared to be.
The reason: This is one damned fine car, ergo, if that's the case then the Peugeot should be too.
Opel Grandland spacious interior
In any event, it is the Opel we are focussed on and — aside altogether from its abilities as an EV (more of which later) — the German company has pulled off something of a coup here because the electric version is cheaper than its hybrid siblings.
The outrageous cost of EVs has long been a bugbear in these columns and, for some time now, we have refused to accept the industry's excuse that research and development costs for these vehicles have put their baseline cost into the stratosphere.
We don't buy it.
The development of an electric motor is something which should cost a fraction of that related to the design and build of a new internal combustion engine — or series of engines. Sure there will be ancillary developmental costs, but nothing to suggest that the end product will come to the market at a price significantly greater than that of an internal combustion engine equivalent.
No, but a lot of companies — as is their wont — have been of the opinion that if the green market out there wants electrics as badly as research would suggest, then they'll gladly pay for it. The recent collapse in EV sales would tend to suggest otherwise.
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In any event, Opel has struck something of a rich vein of potential sales by pitching the new Grandland EV to the market at a price less than that of its internal combustion engine siblings.
And, when tied in with such as SEAI grant aid, this makes the car's appeal all the greater.
Opel are definitely on to something here, and that's only one of the good reasons to look carefully at this car.
In terms of performance, it is powered by a 210bhp electric motor and a 73-kWh battery and, while the nine-second 0-100 km/h time might suggest it's a tad slovenly, remember this thing weighs some 2.1 tonnes — making it something of a Billy Bunter on wheels.
The top speed of 180 km/h is pretty impressive, but better again is the claimed range of over 520km — realistically somewhere in the region of 460-470km — is something of an eye-opener for a family SUV and makes it considerably more appealing than most in this segment.
That it will recharge from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes also makes it a lot more tolerable than a lot of its competitors. A coffee break when you're covering a substantial distance will see you well in most circumstances.
For such a relatively big car, the handling is very tidy and, while the ride can be a little rough on B-roads, in general, the car is a pleasing companion most of the time.
You would have thought too that manoeuvring it around urban areas might be tricky because of its bulk, but an array of driver-aids makes parking it in tight spots an absolute doddle.
The new Opel Grandland EV
The interior is spacious and comfortable, and the infotainment system is easily navigable. The actual physical controls for the climate system make life easier too.
In the GS trim, we tested — expected to be the big seller — the car comes with the 3D 'Vizor' front end look with an illuminated Opel 'Blitz' emblem and Intelli-Lux LED lights (which actually put on a little show every time you unlock the doors), all of which make the car that little bit more appealing.
So, getting back to where we started, the EV Grandland impressed us more than the hybrid version; it was good to drive and the practicalities (or impracticalities, in the case of most EVs) of having a workable range and decent charging times were impressive.
By and large, it drives well, is comfortable, well specced, roomy, and practical while also having an attractive demeanour. All that, in our view, makes it a much more compelling choice than the hybrid version.
While there was always a workmanlike aspect to Opel's products, this adds a touch of exterior glamour, a well-finished interior decor, and some personal touches that should appeal to most potential owners.
In short, this is perhaps the best option in the Grandland range and when you consider it is that most rare of things — an EV that's cheaper than the alternative options within the range — it becomes something a lot more plausible than most of its competitors. We have not said that about to many EVs in this era of a vastly changing automotive landscape.
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