It ticks all the boxes. Here’s why:
The Grandland X is pleasing, from the moment you put your foot into the SUV. Everything in the cockpit is driver-centric, giving you that sense of pride. The instrument panel and centre ‘stack’ or console with a touchscreen is clearly laid out, and horizontally aligned to the driver. The centre stack has three horizontal rows of controls for fast and intuitive access to infotainment, climate control and chassis functions.
The first challenge was to head out of the Durban CBD in traffic, where the SUV outperformed itself. The motor was quiet, even when you drive off from a stationary position.
The luxury feel of the vehicle is clearly experienced on an open-drive. The engine and gearbox are in sync with one another and the automatic derivative that I drove, saw the SUV slipping into lower gears with ease and very quickly to reach the eight gear in cruise mode.
The speed limiter reflects clearly on the instrumentation panel and is helpful in keeping you within the designated speed limits at all times. I found this to be useful, for obvious reasons.
Beyond the characteristic SUV qualities, it also has a host of top technologies that makes it safe and fun at the same time.
With the Grandland X, Opel is bringing onto the market a cool SUV with a strong ‘I want it’ factor.
Advanced Park Assist and the 360° Camera are just some highlights. Ergonomic seats, heated steering wheel, seat heating - front and rear, and the tailgate that opens with a simple foot movement ensures top comfort.
The Grandland X driver and passengers can enjoy top connectivity with the latest generation of IntelliLink systems. Opel again delivers on its commitment to leadership in lighting technology, equipping the Grandland X with bright driving lights, thanks to Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) LED headlamps.
Functions such as cornering light, high beam assist and auto levelling, guarantee optimal illumination of the road ahead, ensuring plenty of safe driving in the dark.
Also included as standard is the impressive 360° surround vision, Apple Car-Play, Advanced Park Assist Navigation system with 8˝ touchscreen and Power tailgate (All it takes to open or close the tailgate is a little swing of the foot beneath the rear bumper).
The luggage compartment with a load volume from 514 to a maximum of 1,652 litres offers generous room for luggage and sport equipment, which gets a huge thumbs up from me.
FlexFold seats disappear with a one easy hand movement. The 40:60 split ratio allows you to adapt the seating to your individual specific needs.
With all these features, the Opel Grandland X can compete with even the most spacious compact class station wagons. It is a stand out SUV that has a very athletic look and if you are an adventurous person, I can boldly say, “Look no further than the Grandland X”
The Grandland X will be launched with a 1.6Turbo petrol engine producing 121kW and 240Nm, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and will be available in three trim levels.
Opel’s new Grandland X has already taken two international off-road awards recently in a 11 vehicle shootout. Now that is really saying something for this practical, innovative SUV with its own character.
