The new Vauxhall Grandland is worlds apart from old one – but petrol and electric version have separate issues

SIMPLE question: Who is going to buy this car? That’s a tough one to answer. But here goes.

If you’ve always driven a Vauxhall and visit your local dealer every three years to buy a new one, you’re going to love the new Grandland.

3

3

It’s a major glow-up on the old one.

But if you drive a Kia Sportage or a Nissan Qashqai, you’ll stick with it. Because you’ll be happy. You’re not going to cross the road for a Grandland.

That’s how I see it, anyway.

Let’s start with the positives.

Plush, tech-rich cabin with lots of soft-touch materials, a super-wide 16in touchscreen and the option of head-up display.

There’s more rear leg room and a bigger boot. Plus a fridge in the centre console.

Very grand.

You might also notice the Griffin badge is illuminated on its nose and the word Vauxhall glows up across the back.

But everyone will be following that trend soon.

Carpet of light

What impresses most are the Intelli-Lux HD headlights, with 50,000 pixels, which project a carpet of light 400 metres ahead. Ideal for our dark winter nights.

Now for the not-so-good bits.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine is too weedy for a big car. Especially if you come into contact with a hill.

And we weren’t loaded up with kids and all the usual family debris. Or trying to tow something with it.

The old Grandland had a 1.6 turbo.

The alternative is to go electric.

That has more oomph (213hp) and better suspension (multi-link rear axle). The 73kWh battery will do up to 325 miles.

But it starts at £41k. That’s a lot of cash for a Vauxhall, right? Longer-range versions with the option of 4WD will be even chunkier.

To be fair, Vauxhall bosses have crunched the numbers to make the monthlies balance up.

The petrol is £469 a month over four years and the electric is £469 over five years – both with £2k up front. Beyond my reach. But still cheaper than a Ford Explorer at £525 a month.

Other observations. I like my satnav map to be north facing – so I can see the upcoming roundabout and which lane I need to be in.

3

In the Grandland, I can only see if the house on the left has a big back garden. Personal preference. Upright touchscreens are better. The Explorer claws back points here.

Grandland has the comfier seats. There’s a slot down the middle to stop your bum going numb on long slogs up and down the motorway.

The old Grandland has next to no in-car storage. This new one has the equivalent of a flight bag.

To conclude, then. The new Vauxhall Grandland. Worlds apart from the old one. Except the petrol is underpowered and the electric is overpriced.