Vauxhall Grandland Hybrid review
The Grandland Hybrid was Vauxhall's first plug-in hybrid SUV and a late 2021 update has boosted its appeal in some areas
Pros
- Very quiet
- Long equipment list
- Impressive performance
Cons
- Expensive to buy
- Uninspiring interior
- Poor real-world electric range
| Car type | Electric range | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in hybrid | 34 miles | 192mpg | 31g/km |
Vauxhall has two fully electric cars – the Corsa-e hatchback and Mokka-e SUV – on the market right now, but also offers this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its Grandland family SUV. The car was heavily updated in late 2021, dropping the 'X' from the end of its name and gaining refreshed styling to bring its looks into line with models like the aforementioned Mokka and the latest Astra.
The company’s largest SUV is based on the same underpinnings as the Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid, Peugeot 3008 Hybrid and DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE, while it can count the MINI Countryman, Kia Niro, Ford Kuga and BMW X1 plug-in hybrids as competitors, too.
To start off with, the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric-motor combination makes a decent 222bhp, there's a claimed 34-mile electric range and the refreshed looks are a definite improvement on the outgoing car. The prospect of nearly 200mpg fuel economy also looks promising on paper, but as is the case with any plug-in hybrid, this is an official testing figure that assumes you’ll start each journey with a full battery – not always the case in the real world.
To drive, the Grandland is at its best around town, where you can take advantage of the light steering and silent electric running. It’s quiet on the motorway, too, even when the engine is up and running. But while its power and pace are pleasing to begin with, but in reality this isn’t the kind of car you’ll relish threading down a back road.
But if all you’re after is a practical, no-nonsense family SUV with the potential for rock-bottom running costs, the Grandland Hybrid isn’t without appeal. The interior is functional and logically laid out, and if you spend most of your time ferrying the children to school or running short errands – with the ability to charge regularly in between – then Vauxhall’s plug-in hybrid is a perfectly acceptable choice.
But in most respects, the Grandland isn't quite good enough to justify what is one of the higher asking prices in its class. For a more detailed look at the car, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
