Vauxhall Grandland (2017-2024) review

Decent. You get a good-sized steering wheel. Dual screens. Plenty supportive front seats. Indeed, mid-spec GS models and above fitted with ‘active sports-style’ seats approved by the AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rückenor or ‘Campaign for Healthier Backs’) who seem to know a thing or two about sitting properly. 

Three abreast in the rear shouldn’t be too much bother with plenty of headroom, but kneeroom is limited. It also feels quite dark back here, while the windows are quite high – young’uns may complain about not being able to see out too well.

What’s the tech like?

Base spec models get a seven-inch instrument cluster and infotainment display, while upper spec models get a 12in instrument display (shame it’s not more customisable, mind) and another 10in infotainment touchscreen for controlling the radio, satnav and suchlike. 

Thankfully it’s not all screens in here – there’s a row of shortcut buttons directly beneath the screen, including a handy e-mode button for adjusting electric power use settings, while Vauxhall has also seen sense and kept the knobs and buttons for adjusting the climate control entirely separate slightly below. Happy days.

We do, however, have one slight gripe with the infotainment display, in that it doesn’t make whole use of the 12-inch screen, with the set temperature for each front seat passenger taking up not far off a quarter of the display on each side. What’s even more baffling is that the exact same information is displayed on the climate control panel below. Tapping the temperature on the touchscreen also brings up a menu that allows you to change the settings, which seems rather pointless when there are perfectly good knobs and buttons for doing just this sat below. Why install such a huge screen if you’re not going to make use of it all?

One other thing – wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, but there’s just one USB port in the front and one in the rear, meaning if you’re using your phone for navigation/music, other front seat passengers won’t be able to plug in. Unless, that is, you’re buying one new in mid-2024 and can only spec Ultimate trim, which comes with wireless charging.

How much storage space is there?

There’s a slight difference between the ICE and PHEV models here, with the former offering 514 litres and the latter 390 litres with the seats up, while 1,642 plays 1,528 respectively with the seats down. That’s about average for the class, with the VW Tiguan offering 520 litres with the seats up and 1,655 litres with the seats down. 

The 60:40 split folding rear seats also come with a ski hatch that allows long items to be loaded through the centre seat without the need to fold either side of the rear row. There’s otherwise plenty of cubby holes dotted about the cabin, plus, strangely enough, removable cupholders up front. No, we’re not sure why either.