Opel Grandland Electric driving report: Fast, not racy
Opel is putting the Grandland on a new platform. The SUV will be significantly larger and available as an electric car for the first time. A first test.
(Image: Opel)
- Stefan Grundhoff
With the Grandland, the last car in Opel's range is now also available with a battery-electric drive. Opel is giving customers the choice for the time being. It is uncertain for how much longer. According to the original plan, the brand only wanted to offer electric cars in Europe from 2028. However, in an interview with Automobilwoche in September, Opel boss Huettl showed himself to be flexible on this issue. The Grandland, which will be launched as a mild and plug-in hybrid as well as an electric car, shows what this means. We have already been able to take the battery-electric model for a test drive.
Significantly larger
The Grandland has grown considerably with the model change. At 4.65 m, it is around 20 cm longer than its predecessor. The Skoda Enyaq and Mercedes GLB, for example, are similarly long. A Peugeot 3008, which is based on the same technical platform (STLA medium), is around 10 cm shorter. The space on offer is more generous than in the old Grandland, with a trunk capacity of 550 to 1645 liters. The optional seats with the "Healthy Back Campaign" logo, which can also be ordered with leather upholstery, ventilation and massage for an additional charge, remain very comfortable. This is only available for the more expensive of the two equipment lines, and at 3200 euros this is a truly self-confident price.
Opel Grandland Electric Innenraum (3 Bilder)
Opel
)On the first test drive, the tuning of the suspension and dampers, which can be actively controlled depending on the selected drive program and don't irritate the driver with countless options that nobody uses in reality anyway, also appears successful. Opel has also improved the sound insulation, making the Grandland a quiet car.
The small instrument cluster, which really only provides the most important information, is easy to read. The surface of the screen in the center can be configured as desired, which is always a good idea. The operating speed and voice control are not top class, which is of course primarily noticeable when you switch directly. The app is also still one of the worst. The registration process is cumbersome, the connection is slow – this code base is ripe for retirement. The navigation system, which is available at extra cost in the base model, is only online for the first six months at no extra cost. After that, Opel wants 120 euros per year for it. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can always be connected wirelessly.
PHEV only charges slowly
The first price list for the new Grandland shows that Opel hasn't cut all the old corners. Customers who order the plug-in hybrid still get a charger with 3.7 kW as standard. For an additional payment of 500 euros, the battery with an energy content of 17.9 kWh can also be charged with 7.4 kW. However, this remains single-phase, so there is no change to an 11 kW wallbox. In most standard garage configurations, the Grandland PHEV remains at 3.7 kW. In view of what the competition is offering in current plug-in hybrids in this respect, this is already very backward.
Opel Grandland Electric außen (7 Bilder)
Opel
)Perhaps Opel is simply counting on the fact that most customers will opt for one of the battery-electric drives anyway. Initially, a 157 kW motor will be offered with two different batteries with an energy content of 73 and 82.2 kWh. Charging is possible with up to 160 kW. We had the Peugeot e-3008 in the editorial office in the summer and were rather disappointed with the charging curve. After a very brief high, it quickly went downhill. At the time, Stellantis had announced that it would add preconditioning to the battery. The Grandland could get it right from the start. This would speed up charging in winter. Opel specifies a range of up to 523 or 585 km in the WLTP. If you want more, you can opt for a version with 98 kWh from 2025. The charging capacity is also likely to be slightly higher here.
More than just sufficiently fast
On the road, it is noticeable that the Grandland Electric can accelerate powerfully. However, it lacks the powerful punch that many electric cars have. No wonder, because 157 kW and 345 Nm are already up against 2120 kg without additional payload. This E-SUV is also more than adequately equipped for everyday use; for even higher demands, the only option is to switch to the competition. With a maximum speed of 170 km/h, the Grandland is as fast as the electric Astra. For the Grandland with the large battery, Opel states a consumption of 17.7 to 18.5 kWh in the WLTP.
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The Grandland with the 100 kW 1.2-liter hybrid costs at least 36,400 euros, which is comparatively fair for a car of this size. The plug-in hybrid is offered from 40,150 euros, with the electric drive at least 46,750 euros are due. However, the first price list points out that this version is "exclusively reserved for the Grandland Electric's initial equipment and cannot be ordered as an option". However, customers need not fret, as the version with an 82 kWh battery costs just 1000 euros more.
Package policy
Many a customer is also likely to be annoyed by this manufacturer's package policy. In the basic model, heated seats are only available in combination with other extras for 1400 euros. Inductive smartphone charging is also only available in a package with other items for 1100 euros. Matrix light and a sunroof can only be ordered additionally by buyers of the top model. The fact that a child seat attachment on the front passenger seat is also only available in the most expensive equipment line is almost bizarre.
(dahe)