Vauxhall Grandland Electric review

It’s in here that’s arguably the biggest improvement compared to the previous generation Grandland. The quality is a big step up: there are plenty of premium feeling soft touch materials, it’s ergonomically very pleasing, and it’s easy to get used to.

Which all means that it feels a good option to anyone looking to make the transition to electric power. There’s nothing too radical in here, and while some manufactures have taken a futuristic approach to electric power, this feels more traditional.

What’s the tech like?

Directly in front of you sits a 10-inch widescreen digital instrument panel. Its display is clean and easy to read, but a little limited in customisability. Upper-spec models get a head-up display, which combines well with the slim instrument panel.

One interesting feature is a ‘Pure Mode’, which reduces the content on the driver information panel, the head-up display and the central touchscreen. The idea is that it means less distraction, and we could all do with a little bit of that.

Sitting pride of place on the dashboard is a 10-inch central touchscreen, which grows to 16-inch in higher-spec models. The latter looks impressively sharp and it's very customisable too, at least when you’re using the native nav. It’s far less so when you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which don't extend across the full screen, instead restricting what the remaining tile format can show.

Still, the other big plus point in here are the physical climate controls, which you operate via a separate panel below the main touchscreen. Does warrant the permanently displayed temp controls on the screen redundant, mind.

Good point. How does it score for comfort?

We certainly had no complaints. Up top it gets seats certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken or ‘Campaign for Healthier Backs’), and they get a tailbone cutout that reportedly offers a 15 per cent comfort improvement on long rides (we'd like to know how Vauxhall puts a number on comfort, but still), plus adjustable side bolsters for the first time here too. Lovely.

Anyone in the back should be comfortable too thanks to 20mm more legroom compared to the previous generation, though there’s little space under the front seats for your toes. Still, we found it better here compared to the limited legroom Peugeot e-3008, and you should fit three abreast too.

How big is the boot?

Boot space measures 550 litres in both the mild hybrid and fully electric variant; an increase of 36 litres over the outgoing model. That’s 30 litres bigger than the 3008, and it trumps most of its other closest rivals too.

Additionally the rear seats offer a 40/20/40 fold split, and fully down you’re looking at 1,645 litres. An extra 36 litres of storage space is dotted around the cabin.