In Rüsselsheim, just outside Frankfurt, we had the opportunity to get to know both the electric car version – the Opel Grandland Electric – and the hybrid.
The new Opel Grandland is the first model on Stellanti’s new STLA Medium platform and has grown a full 17 centimeters compared to its predecessor.
This means that Grandland is now entering one of the market’s most competitive segments with several different powertrains.
The new Grandland is larger than its predecessor. (Photo: Opel)
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Generic is just the first name
In pictures, the Grandland looks like an attractive SUV, especially in its segment. However, the reality is different. At the front, Opel has invested in its typical front design with a black visor and headlights.
At the back, Opel has replaced the emblem with “OPEL” in large letters and a trendy light bar, which unfortunately makes the Grandland look generic and more like a Chinese SUV than a German car.
Especially from the rear, the new Grandland does not resemble an Opel at all. (Photo: Opel)Problems with the infotainment system
The interior is met by a distinctly German design with a 10-inch instrument panel and a 16-inch infotainment screen. The system was so buggy that I had to change cars, and also the right window in the test car didn’t work.
In the backup car, the infotainment system restarted and changed the language to French in the middle of the highway. Opel explained that this was because the test cars were pre-production cars and promised that the problems would be resolved before launch.
The rear seat offers good thigh support but has somewhat limited headroom – at least for me, who is 184 cm with a long torso. The feeling of quality is mixed; cheap plastic surfaces are combined with pleasant textiles, while the design of the steering wheel gives a simpler impression.
During our test drive, the infotainment system crashed. (Photo: Opel)
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Comfort above all
The front seats are extremely comfortable, which is not surprising given Opel’s collaboration with the German back health association AGR.
The comfort is also reflected in the driving experience. We started the test drive with the electric car version, which has 213 horsepower and an electric range of 582 kilometers according to WLTP. Next year, a variant with a range of 70 miles will come.
Driving is characterized by a slightly stiff throttle response, which Opel believes provides more comfortable driving and higher efficiency. However, the company plans to adjust the throttle response in the normal mode, as it can currently be perceived as a bit sluggish.
-We are not aiming for sportiness, explains Dominik Sottong, responsible for Grandland’s technology. In an industry where many models compete for a sporty image, it is refreshing that Opel sticks to its comfort focus.
The noise level in the cabin is impressively low, and the steering is light, even in sport mode. Opel talks about the car being “Autobahn Proof,” with a focus on high-speed stability – but the top speed of 170 km/h is relatively low by Autobahn standards. The suspension is on the bumpier side, which can feel a little out of place in a car that prioritizes comfort.
Grandland has focused on comfort. (Photo: Opel)
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Also as a hybrid
We also test drove the mild hybrid, a 48V version with 136 horsepower and 230 Nm. Under the hood sits a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a sporty sound but where the power doesn’t quite match the sound.
The gearbox, a six-speed dual-clutch unit, manages the changes quickly and efficiently. The driving overall makes sense but suffers from the same software bugs and bumpy suspension. Consumption landed around 0.6 liters per mile in normal driving.
We also tested the hybrid. (Photo: Opel)Opel Grandland – an SUV
The Opel Grandland is what we would call “just a car.” In terms of design, it is fairly generic, especially from the rear, while the interior prioritizes functionality.
In terms of driving, it is quiet and comfortable but suffers from some bugs and a slightly bumpy suspension. The connection to other Stellantis products is noticeable, but hardly something that the average buyer reflects on.
The idea behind Grandland is good, but the execution could have been better.
Grandland does not stand out in the segment. (Photo: Opel)First impressions of the Opel Grandland: 3/5
Opel Grandland Electric (2025)
Engine: Front electric motor, 213 horsepower, 345 newton meters
Transmission: 1-speed automatic transmission, front wheel drive
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 170 km/h
Electrical range: 582 km
Weight: 2,405 kg
Dimensions (length/height/width): 4650/1665/1934 mm
No Swedish price set
Opel Grandland Hybrid (2025)
Engine: 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder, gasoline, 136 horsepower, 230 newton meters
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, front-wheel drive
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.2 seconds
Top speed: 202 km/h
Weight: 1,461 kg
Dimensions (length/height/width): 4650/1665/1934 mm
No Swedish price set