Vauxhall Grandland - FQ Magazine

Vauxhall’s Grandland SUV has had a makeover, gaining the new Vauxhall Vizor centrepiece grille and acquiring a plug-in hybrid version.

It is the so-called ‘Hybrid-e’ version that I’m testing, combining a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and an electric motor, producing a reasonably mighty 225PS.

It comes in GS Line trim and features 18-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, a 180-degree camera, a black roof, and sports seats.

The hybrid system is suitable for 39 miles of all-electric driving and can do 84mph on the motor alone before the engine kicks in.

When all systems are go, there’s plenty of torque and accelerating from a standing start to 60mph takes 8.9-seconds, with an impressive top speed of 140mph.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth, too, which helps make good progress.

As it’s an SUV, there is quite a bit of body lean in the corners, and the suspension is firm. As a result, the Vauxhall doesn’t do a fantastic job of smoothing out bumpier road surfaces, but it’s certainly not uncomfortable.

The all-electric driving is sublime and best achieved around town centres and urban areas where the Grandland feels more at home.

Inside, you’ll find two screens – a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen including SatNav, plus a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

Both sit together in one unit, and they are part of the overhaul, making the cabin far classier than before.

The infotainment system isn’t the best, and it can feel a bit clunky, plus the graphics aren’t the sharpest on the market. But the unit does the job and isn’t bad. You also get navigation with it, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The seats are comfortable, and the cabin is a decent size, meaning two adults will fit effortlessly in the back. The boot is a useful, easy-to-load size, too.