Review: Vauxhall Grandland X (2018)

Vauxhall Grandland X (2018): At A Glance

• New prices start from £24,430, brokers can source from £16,891
• Contract hire deals from £162.76 per month
• Insurance Groups are between 14–18
• On average it achieves 69% of the official MPG figure

Vauxhall Grandland X (2018): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 514–1652 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4477 mm
Width	1856–2098 mm
Height	1609–1630 mm
Wheelbase	2675 mm
Full specifications

Buyers of crossover SUVs are usually after a high seating position, and the Grandland X ticks that box. In fact, it ticks a lot of boxes. Practical? Yes. Well-equipped? Yes. Interesting? Er...

It's easy to be harsh on the Grandland X when it's closely related to the Peugeot 3008 which has a fantastic, futuristic cabin that feels satisfyingly premium. 

Aside from a new drab plastics, the Grandland X's interior doesn't do a great deal wrong. The eight-inch media system which is standard on most models is easy to use, provided you don't mind a touchscreen display. There are some buttons below providing shortcuts to things like the navigation, but most features are accessed via the touchscreen unit.

Apple CarPlay and Android is also standard, which is great for accessing features from your phone on the move. There's also Bluetooth and DAB radio fitted across the range.

The seats in the Grandland X are comfortable, especially the ergonomic seats fitted on high-spec models. They have plenty of adjustment meaning drivers and front seat passengers shouldn't have any cause for complaint on long journeys.

Passengers in the back are well catered for, too. There's plenty of head and legroom for even the tallest adults, and you can even squeeze a third passenger in the middle if required. A flat floor in the back means there shouldn't be any tussling for legroom.

With 514 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in use, the Grandland X's boot is about average for its class. Opt for the Hybrid4 model and this drops to 380 litres, although this isn't the big loss it appears - most of that is down to losing the underfloor compartment, which few people use day-to-day anyway. The rear seats are easily dropped should you need more space, too.

Specifications (February 2020):

Vauxhall Grandland X SE Premium features a seven-inch colour touchscreen display with DAB radio and smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, leather-covered steering wheel with audio controls, adjustable steering column, tinted rear windows, 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, chrome-effect window trim, auto lighting/windscreen wipers, front fog lights, six airbags, lane departure warning, LED daytime running lights, high beam assist, front and rear parking distance sensors, LED headlights.

Business Edition Nav adds an eight-inch media system, ambient lighting, Versatility Pack (centre rear armrest with ski pass-through, illuminated luggage area, flex dloor with under-floor divider), alloy-effect door sill covers, 18-inch silft-effect alloy wheels, electrically foldable door mirrors with puddle lights, Safety Pack (driver drowsiness system, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane assist), side blind spot alert.

SRI Nav features a black roof and door mirrors, tinted rear windows, 18-inch diamond-cut grey alloy wheels.

Griffin comes with keyless entry and start, power-operated tailgate with foot sensors, Griffin-branded floor mats.

Elite Nav builds on SRI models with leather seat facings, power driver's seat, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 19-inch silver alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, heated windscreen.

Elite Nav Premium adds keyless entry and start, electric tailgate with foot sensor.

Standard features of the Vauxhall Grandland X SE Nav Hybrid include an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with DAB radio, voice control, smartphone projection, Bluetooth connectivity), wireless charging for mobile devices, dual-zone climate control, 3D instrument cluster, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, 230-volt power outlet behind front seats, 18-inch silver alloy wheels, silver roof rails, auto lighting/windscreen wipers, front fog lights, power operated tailgate with foot sensor, LED headlights, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, Safety Pack (with driver drowsiness system, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane assist), keyless entry and start, lane departure warning, high beam assist, rear parking sensors, remote control security alarm system.

SRI Nav Hybrid adds a driver's ergonomic active front seat, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, black roof and door mirrors, tinted rear windows, ambient lighting, alloy-effect door sill covers and protective front and rear skid plates, electrically foldable door mirrors with puddle lights, side blind spot alert, front and rear parking sensors.

The Vauxhall Grandland X SRI Nav Hybrid4 features an eight-inch infotainment system, wireless phone charging, driver's ergonomic active front seat, dual-zone electronic climate control, 3D instrument cluster, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with audio controls, adaptive cruise control, 230V power outlet, 19-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, black roof and door mirrors, alloy-effect door sill covers and protective front and rear skid plates, tinted rear windows, auto lighting/windscreen wipers, ambient lighting, front fog lights, electric tailgate with foot sensor, LED headlights, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors with puddle lights, Safety Pack (with driver drowsiness system, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane assist), keyless entry and start, lane departure warning, high beam assist, side blind spot alert, front and rear parking sensors, all-wheel drive.

Elite Nav Hybrid4 adds a heated windscreen, leather seat facings, heated front seats, ergonomic active front seats, power driver's seat, versatility pack.

Ultimate Nav Hybrid4 comes with a premium audio system, premium LED headlights, Park and Go pack (panoramic camera, advanced park assist, semi-automatic steering). 

What's the Vauxhall Grandland X (2018) like to drive?

• Engines range from 1.2 Turbo 130 Automatic to 2.0 Turbo D 177 Automatic
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 25–57 mpg

The Grandland X is a soft, wallowy SUV that will appeal to people seeking comfort rather than driving enjoyment. Its steering is pretty light and uninformative, while the car leans quite a lot in the bends. It rides fairly well, though.

In terms of engines, the line-up starts with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol. This sounds like a small engine for a car as big as the Grandland X (and, indeed, you might want to check its Real MPG), but it's a really eager little unit that'll suit a lot of crossover buyers.

If you cover high miles (including a lot of motorway journeys), you might want to consider the 1.5-litre diesel. It's a much better engine than the 1.6 diesel initially offered, providing plenty of grunt and reasonable refinement levels. 

From 2020, the Grandland X is available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines. While we're yet to try the hybrid, the plug-in hybrid (badged the Hybrid4) is an expensive choice that will only really make sense for company car drivers.

The Hybrid4 combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors. It sounds incredible on paper: 300PS, 520Nm of torque and 204mpg. Sadly, the reality is a little disappointing. It's brisk enough (covering 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds), but doesn't feel hot hatch quick, and you'll spend a lot on fuel unless you can charge it at home and most of your journeys are within its 35-mile electric range.

Four-wheel-drive means the Hybrid4 offers plenty of grip, but we suspect its heavy weight would soon be a disadvantage in the snow. It's still a high-sided SUV with lifeless steering and a lot of body roll.

No one seeking driving enjoyment will choose the Grandland X - even the powerful Hybrid4 model. But it’s easy to drive with good visibility and light steering.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.2 Turbo 130	53–54 mpg	11.1 s	116–124 g/km
1.2 Turbo 130 Automatic	53–54 mpg	10.9 s	115–127 g/km
1.5 Turbo D 130	67–69 mpg	11.8 s	108–113 g/km
1.5 Turbo D 130 Automatic	67–69 mpg	12.2 s	108–111 g/km
1.6 Turbo D 120	66–71 mpg	11.8 s	104–111 g/km
1.6 Turbo D 120 Automatic	61–66 mpg	12.2 s	112–118 g/km
2.0 Turbo D 177 Automatic	58 mpg	12.2 s	128 g/km

Real MPG average for a Vauxhall Grandland X (2018)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the Vauxhall Grandland X (2018)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.