Meet the revamped Opel Grandland: a striking German SUV aiming to dethrone Chinese rivals

Opel has completely revamped its Grandland SUV incorporating many of the features first seen in the Experimental concept car and now introduced on a production model.

It’s bulkier and more angular than the outgoing model, which was more of a wallflower than extrovert thanks to 173mm of extra length, 54mm extra width and standing 19mm higher.

Exterior

They have introduced a new execution of the Opel brand face: the 3D Vizor that’s combined with the illuminated Opel Griffin logo made more prominent using Edge Light Technology.

Making its debut on the Grandland is Intelli-Lux Pixel Matrix HD with 51,200 elements for high-definition light distribution. 

Based on traffic, a camera detects oncoming objects which then cuts them out providing a brighter and more homogeneous light pattern.

There’s a funky welcome and goodbye animation with graphical projections in front of the vehicle.

At the rear of the Grandland the distinctive compass lighting signature with the first integration of the illuminated ‘OPEL’ wordmark, also makes its debut while the LED brake light bar stretches across its full width. 

There's no more chrome lettering as Opel’s Greenovation approach replaces it with embossed lettering.

Standing on 19-inch alloys, cladded elements around the wheels and lower body and combined with a two-tone floating roof the family SUV is one of the more attractive ones around.

Interior

The interior has also been thoroughly upgraded to a more modern and neater look and feel although there were some elements around the centre console especially that felt less than premium.

Behind the steering wheel is what Opel calls a discrete 10-inch instrument cluster that neatly fits under the top of the dashboard without dominating your view.

In the short time we got to drive it the 16-inch infotainment system provided clear and crisp graphics and seemed easy enough to operate. 

They have also introduced Pure Mode that reduces the content on the screens and head-up display providing a less distracting experience.

Fortunately frequently used settings like climate control and volume can still be accessed by physical buttons.

The new Pixel Box has a translucent glass face behind which is a wireless charger and USB ports allowing you to keep an eye on the charging process and preventing the phone from sliding around and falling out.

Single powertrain 

While the platform allows for New Energy Vehicle set-ups, locally it is powered by the company’s PureTech turbo-charged petrol engine with 134kW and 300Nm coupled to a six speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels.

For some sporty driving there are now paddle shifters. The GS Line for now is the only model range available.

Driving

Climbing into the cabin the ergonomic AGR seats provide a very comfortable perch.

AGR is the German “Campaign for Healthier Backs” and the seats (the driver’s seat is ventilated and features a massage function) have lateral comfort adjustment thanks to two pneumatic pockets located in the backrest’s side bolsters.

There’s also an Intelli-Seat feature in the front seats, a slot that relieves pressure on the tailbone on long journeys. 

We’ll be able to pass better judgement on the Grandland’s suspension set-up when we get it for a full review, but it’s fitted with frequency selective damping (FSD) technology used in the chassis. 

FSD creates a second hydraulic circuit in the damper chamber to mechanically adapt the damping force about the frequency.

Depending on the situation, road surface conditions and driving style, it enables different damping characteristics.

Brief driving impressions through Fourways towards Kyalami though were fairly positive.

Once it has reached its ideal rev-range it powers along nicely despite being a bit sluggish on take-off. 

The driving position is comfortable and the steering wheel rake and reach adjustable.

Safety

Fitted with Intelli-Drive 2.0 system it receives Automatic Cruise Control with Stop and Go function, Extended Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Adaptation and In Crash Braking, semi-automatic lane-change assist and Recommended Speed Adaption as well as a rear-view camera with an automatic cleaning function. 

In a market that’s regularly flooded with new SUVs here’s hoping that another German rival can take on the Chinese that seem to have a strong foothold.

It comes with a five year/100,000km warranty with Roadside Assistance, a five year/90,000km service plan and a 12 year/unlimited kilometre anticorrosion warranty.

Pricing

GS Line 1,6T AT: R789,900.00