Read more
Impressive Opel Grandland ticks all the right boxes, but…
With all the platform and technology sharing, we can't help feel this SUV is more French than German.
The Grandland features the Opel Vizor design. Picture: Opel
One of the latest SUV offerings out of the Stellantis stable is the Opel Grandland. And the flagship Ultimate derivative in the three-model range, on paper, is everything it is advertised to be.
On the outside, the Opel Grandland is easily separated from its Citroen and Peugeot siblings. That is if you are aware of what the new Opel Vizor design treatment that was first shown on the Mokka means. If that is too subtle, then the Blitz brand logo standing proudly in the middle of the tailgate should do the trick.
ALSO READ: Improved Opel Grandland shows its worth but at a price
Lighting up the road
The eagle-eyed will notice the adaptive IntelliLux LED pixel lights which consist of 168 LED elements. They are integrated into the sides of the new Opel Vizor brand face that ensure there is a seamless adaptation of the light beam according to the driving situation and surroundings, without glare for other traffic.
Once you have experienced how good this system is, you will battle to accept anything less in another car.
On the inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to the “Pure Panel” that combines a seven-inch driver information centre with a similarly sized colour touchscreen. The latter is used to operate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the multimedia infotainment system.
ALSO READ: Sexy new Opel Mokka helps brand revive the fun factor
Then you will notice the Opel Grandland’s full leather interior, and the electric seats that offer electro-pneumatic lumbar support, as well as heating and ventilation. They are among the best in the business.
Passengers enjoy top connectivity with the modern multimedia systems, up to the top-of-the-line Multimedia Navi Pro.
Wireless charging in the centre console provides neat and tidy “refuelling” for compatible smartphones.
Smooth operator
The Citizen Motoring was impressed by the Opel Grandland’s exceptional ride quality. The 121 kW/240 Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, married to an automatic gearbox, further reinforces this. Driving this SUV a pleasure anytime you take it out.
Keeping you safe, you have the likes of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. You also get lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition and drowsiness detection and cruise control with speed limiter.
Thanks to “Stop and Go”, the Opel Grandland automatically resumes driving from a standstill. The front and rear cameras, automatic parking assistant and blind-spot warning are all included as standard in the extensive portfolio of safety systems.
ALSO READ: Sharpened-up Opel Corsa on its way to South Africa
Opel Grandland in no-man’s land
The Grandland comes with a five-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/100 000km service plan.
At R720 900, this SUV competes at the higher end of an ultra-competitive segment of the market where there are better value-for-money options to be had.
I even tried to justify that maybe the Grandland Ultimate would appeal to die-hard Opel fans, like me, because of our love for the badge. But in this modern world, where scales of economy mean platform and technology sharing is a reality, it’s impossible to ignore that this Opel is way more French than German. And, as such, it gets lost in no-man’s land inside the Stellantis Group’s varied product offerings.
