We find out how Vauxhall's electric family SUV stacks up against rivals on price, technology and range

2024 Vauxhall Grandland Electric review

October 9, 2024 Matt Allan

We find out how Vauxhall’s electric family SUV stacks up against rivals on price, technology and range

The new Grandland is a significant car for Vauxhall. Its launch means the brand now offers a fully electric version of every model in its range – from the compact Corsa to the massive Movano van.

It also means that Vauxhall at last has a pure electric contender in the hugely important family SUV segment. It goes head to head with everything from the Ford Explorer and Skoda Enyaq to the Renault Scenic and related Peugeot E-3008.

When Vauxhall calls this the new Grandland, it really is new. The name is the same, but everything from the platform and powertrain to the in-car technology is brand-new. And Vauxhall is hoping that this new approach, along with some keen pricing will be enough to compete in this packed part of the market.

Design, interior and technology

The Grandland has grown for this new generation, stretching by 17cm. That means it’s the same length as an Enyaq and a good 10cm longer than most other rivals. More importantly, the wheelbase is longer – than the old model and most rivals – which means more space inside.

Despite being among the biggest in its class, the Grandland’s designers have managed to avoid it looking too bulky. It has all the usual SUV hallmarks but it’s been designed using a few simple lines that mean it doesn’t loom in the same way as some alternatives. It’s fresher and neater than the old car but beside cars like the E-3008 or Scenic it’s a little bland. You’ll still definitely know it’s a Vauxhall, though, thanks to the light-up Griffin badge in the 3D Vizor ‘grille’ and the illuminated Vauxhall script at the centre of the full-width rear light bar.

The interior is a definite improvement over both the old car and other Vauxhall models. It still feels like Vauxhall isn’t allowed to be as adventurous as its Stellantis partners, and there’s a fair bit of dull, cheap black plastic lower down but the new Grandland does score a couple of hits. The fabric finish on the doors, dash and centre console looks smart and feels good, and the switchgear – from the welcome physical heater controls to the steering wheel buttons – has a higher quality feel than the rest of the Vauxhall range.

All but the most basic versions also get seats approved by the AGR – Germany’s campaign for back health. These sporty-styled affairs look good and, most importantly, are properly supportive and comfortable.

Being bigger means the Grandland offers more rear space than before – 20mm over the old car – and more than the E-3008, but it doesn’t feel any more spacious than most rivals. The boot, too, is nothing spectacular. At 550 litres, it’s better than the Ford or Renault but lagging behind the Peugeot or Skoda.

On the tech front, basic versions of the Grandland get a 10-inch central screen but GS trim upwards get a 16-inch unit to go with the 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Like elsewhere, this is a noticeable improvement on the old car’s system and, for the most part, is quick and clear, although there are still too many sub-menus. Cleverly, there’s a ‘pure’ mode that strips back the content on the main screen and instruments to provide less distraction for the driver. And – like Renault – you can personalise your ADAS functions and access (ie turn them off) with the press of one button.

Battery, motor and performance

Next year, Vauxhall will start selling a four-wheel-drive Grandland and a longer-range one using the same 97kWh battery as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. That will boost the Grandland’s maximum range to 435 miles, while the AWD will bring 316bhp.

For now, there’s just one powertrain – a 207bhp motor driving the front wheels, with a 73kWh battery providing the energy.

It’s a familiar set of numbers in this segment, within a few bhp and a handful of kWh of most rivals. The 0-62mph run takes nine seconds, and range is 325 miles, neither the best or worst in the class. Cars like the Renault Scenic and Ford Explorer offer longer ranges, while others such as the entry-level Enyaq 50 lag behind it.

The driving experience is a pretty familiar story, too. The family SUV market – electric or otherwise – isn’t the place for hugely dynamic and engaging cars, so the Grandland fits in well with some perfectly solid and predictable behaviour. Two of the three drive modes limit the power – to 158bhp or 178bhp – with a predictable impact on performance. Eco, particularly, leads to quite sluggish progress. Sport is the only way to unlock all 207bhp and it also adds some more artificial weight to the fairly lifeless steering.

More positively, even on 20-inch wheels, the Grandland rides pretty well, especially when considered against the Explorer or 3008, thanks to the standard-fit frequency selective damping. And it’s incredibly well insulated against noise. Even at German autobahn speeds you have no difficulty holding a conversation.

Those speeds made gauging a realistic efficiency number tricky but Vauxhall says the Grandland should do 3.7/kWh. And when it needs to be charged, 160kW DC charging will do the 10-80% run in 26 minutes, while 11kW AC charging is also standard.

Price and specification

The Grandland starts at £40,995 for the entry level Design model. That gives it a competitive edge over alternatives such as the Peugeot and Ford Explorer, both of which start at more than £45,000. Entry-level versions of the Scenic and Enyaq cost less, but the Grandland offers a much better range. And all buyers get the option of a free home wallbox, or £500 public charging credit.

Vauxhall is also very proud of its finance deals which offer the same monthly payments for the electric model as the hybrid. The catch is that you’re tied into a five-year deal rather than four years on the hybrid.

There are just three trim levels – Design GS and Ultimate, with GS expected to be the most popular option. Design cars come with 19-inch alloys, LED lights, and a 10-inch screen with wireless phone mirroring and dual-zone climate control.

GS specification costs from £43,145 and brings diamond cut alloys and a gloss black finish to the roof, bumpers and spoiler, as well as introducing the 3D Vizor with light-up badge and adaptive LED lights. It also gets the heated AGR-certified seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and 16-inch central screen with built-in navigation.

The Ultimate adds the same sort of kit you’ll find on any top-spec model from rivals but, at £45,195 is at least £5,000 cheaper than most of those alternatives. Its gadgets include a panoramic roof, powered tailgate, head-up display, 360-degree parking camera and 20-inch alloy wheels, plus more ADAS, including semi-autonomous lane changing.

Verdict

The fact that the top-level Grandland is priced closer to mid-spec rivals is probably its biggest draw and could be enough to sway buyers towards the Vauxhall.

Elsewhere, it’s a solid but unremarkable contender. It does everything that’s required of it but, from space and tech to range and performance, it does little to stand out in a crowded segment.