Up until a few years ago, 300bhp cars were few and far between. All were hardcore sports cars, too. Financially out of reach for most enthusiasts and… requiring  an experienced pilot driving skills to get the most out of them. Times moved on and today’s Grandland GSe SUV offers 300 bhp for sporty families!

Let’s face it, the Grandland GSe isn’t electric, it’s a plug in hybrid! Vauxhall claims a 40 miles electric range for it. Admittedly, this makes it ideal for city driving and short journeys… however, be careful to select the right mode as range could easily disappear after a few accelerations on an open road or motorway.  A four-cylinder 1600 cm3 petrol engine is linked to two electric motors : one’s in the gearbox and the other one sits on the rear axle. They feed a 13.2 kWh battery. The Grandland offers 300 bhp and a 520 Nm torque value. There’s a whole range of driving modes, even including a 4WD one, if required.

Admittedly, it’s not a proper 4WD and doesn’t offer significant off-road capability but it’s more than capable enough for the occasional snowfall. The 8-speed automatic gearbox offers a single recharging mode : it’s all or nothing, which is a shame. The ‘Frequency Selective Dampers’ adopt different damping laws according to road conditions. On cobbles, the oscillation frequencies are higher and they will be softer and more comfortable whereas the car will have a sportier roadholding if frequency is  lower. An additional valve and a second hydraulic circuit change settings : the shocks are sportier when the valves are closed and more comfortable when opened.

I like it

The Grandland was launched back in 2017… it was redesigned in 2022 and got the brand’s new visual identity. Both on the outside with the ‘Vizor’ grille and LED matrix lighting, and on the inside with the ‘Pure Panel’  two screens. The list of equipment is extensive, and it comes with the AGR seats that are becoming a Vauxhall trademark. They’re rather comfortable and hugh the body well ; even featuring an adjustable central section to support the knees.

Quite clever

The Grandland is full of clever details that you might not notice at first glance but they make life so much easier: the doors drop down low on the sills and cover them, preventing driver and passengers from getting dirty getting in and out of the car. The under boot floor charger storage tray or the numerous cubicles that are ideally located up front. The roofcover is lightly colored and contrasts well with the rest of the interior, making it a pleasure to live in. Overall, materials, fit  and finish are up there with the best.

I don’t like it

Once battery range is nil, the Grandland’s 1,876 kg still have to be moved! Even though the chassis has been redesigned with Koni FSD shock absorbers and special 19″ Monza wheels, the suspension is very stiff and better suited for German motorways than to bad Belgian roads full of holes… Weight means it sometimes rolls excessively, making it rater unsporty. Thanks to the hybrid engine, the fuel tank is smaller (43 litres instead of 53) and boot volume is reduced from 514 to 390 dm3. Over long journeys, reduced space in the back won’t please tall passengers too much. Reclining manual front seats is done through a rotating knob that is very badly positioned too close to B-pillars.

Why I buy it

The black bonnet and roof immediately strike memories of the good old 6-cylinders Commodore GSEs of the 70s and blend well with the car, emphasising its overall shape.  It’s smart enough and discreet for everyday use. The 19″ Monza wheels are shod with Michelin tyres and fill the wheel arches nicely, it doesn’t look like it’s on small wheels! It’s family-minded but can feel more dynamic if needed : that’s quite appealing. The engine picks up and revs at the slightest touch of the right-hand pedal. Stunned motorists are left swiftly behind, wondering what kind of machine this is… The standard equipment list is pretty long and even if the 10″ central screen isn’t the biggest one around, it’s big enough for everyday use. We tested the Grandland over 850 miles and fuel consumption was 41,5 MPG ; a pretty good result as we didn’t try hard to get a good result either.

Why I don’t buy it

Starting from €60,200, the Grandland GSe is no bargain… now that its career as a company car is over for fiscal reasons, will it appeal to private customers ? Yes, those who are reluctant to switch directly from ICE  to electric power? It’s not unreasonable, but spashing out €331 on top of the car’s price for a 22 kW charging cable and €251 for a 7.4 kW cable is still way too much. You might as well go for the €500 wallbox, which includes the second one! At this price level, we find it questionable to charge extra money for a charging cable. Admittedly, it has a seducing enough sporty look but… its roadholding, its stiff suspension and a feeling that all the claimed power is not there disappointed us. (text: Dimitri Urbain – Pictures: Paul-Edouard Urbain)