This is Opel’s Grandland Hybrid4, Opel estimates it’ll do 60 km per litre, which is a theoretical figure, because the fuel you actually consume is totally dependent on what kind of routes you take and your style of driving.
Special mention : Very comfortable to drive, seamless when electric runs out and petrol engine engages, plenty of space.
Needs work : Standard 50km PHEV range will require daily charging, hardwearing materials in the cabin lend it a sturdy air but soft touch would improve perceived quality.
Specs: As tested
| Max Power 300 HP | Petrol / Electric / Auto |
| 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds | Road Tax €170 |
Price: €36,645 As spec’d €47,415 | Boot 490-1,528 litres |
There are people who’ll drive their plug-in hybrid and maybe fuel up twice a year, because they always drive using the electric mode, and there are people who get really high usage figures because they’re constantly on motorways or using it for long drives.
Actual range is all about how you drive it, it’s all about the outside temperature, weight etc there are a number of variables needed to eek the most out of the range.
The regenerative braking works well, charging up the electric motor nicely when you’re braking or releasing the throttle. Opel have done an incredible job of making it near seamless when the combustion engine takes over from the electric motor.
This Opel Grandland X Hybrid is available in two versions. There’s the regular Hybrid, which has a 180 horsepower combustion engine and an electric motor producing 110 horsepower. That means a total system output of 225HP, which is quite decent. However, you only get front-wheel drive, whilst the Hybrid4 has a 200HP petrol engine and an electric motor on the rear axle, generating a total output of 300 horsepower.
A regular Grandland X weighs 1,400 kg, with this particular engine, the Hybrid weighs 1.700 kg and the Hybrid4 is 1,775 kg heavy. One drawback of some electric cars is that you’re not allowed to tow anything. With the Grandland X you still have towing capability. The 1.5-litre can tow up to 1,500kg, but adding an automatic cuts 200kg from this figure – although the 2.0-litre diesel can manage an impressive 2,000kg. The petrol Grandland X can tow 1,400kg, dropping to 1,300kg with an auto fitted, while the hybrid has the lowest towing capacity at 1,250kg.
The five-seat SUV (there is no seven-seat version) has loads of space in the back for adults and children alike, with ISOFIX points on each of the outside seats. There are lots of storage spaces, including one ahead of the gear lever and one in the central armrest; the door bins are a decent size, and the glovebox is spacious, too.
Space in the back of the Grandland X is very generous. The flat floor means there’s room for three across the rear bench, with plenty of head, leg and knee room. The large windows and light-colour headlinings mean it never feels dark, cramped or claustrophobic.
The competition is fierce, because there are lots of hybrid crossovers like the 3008 and C5 AirCross.
There’s a little but not much catching up, a few more soft touch materials throughout the cabin would give the Grandland X the finishing touch it deserves for such a comfortable and economical drive.