The new Vauxhall Grandland Electric is a practical and well-equipped family SUV, built on the same Stellantis platform as its Peugeot/Citroen counterparts. Designed to do a job rather than provide thrills behind the wheel, the Grandland Electric represents Vauxhall’s continued push towards full electrification across its range. At present it is the brand’s flagship battery-electric SUV offering.

Battery, Range, and Charging

The Grandland Electric uses a 73kWh battery paired with a single electric motor, producing 213PS. Officially, Vauxhall claim a WLTP driving range of up to 325 miles. Fully charged on my home Rolec unit, the display indicated 314 miles might be possible.

A 210 miles journey with fast A and B roads and a good stretch of motorway leads me to suggest that 250-260 miles is more likely, unless driven mainly at low urban speeds. It’s competitive enough. I’m told a bigger 94kWh battery is due later this year which claims to offer an extra 100 miles or so of range.

When it comes to charging, the Grandland Electric supports a maximum DC ultra-rapid charging rate of 160kW, enabling a 20-80% top up in around 26 minutes. On a home 7kW charger this time increases to 6 hours and 45 minutes. With a cheap overnight tariff, this is the best and cheapest way to run an EV. My one quick public charge at Scotch Corner, I paid an extortionate 85p per kW.

Driving Experience

On the road, the Grandland Electric makes a fair fist of most road conditions. Acceleration is modest, with a 0-62mph time of 9 seconds and an academic top speed of 106mph. It’s far from a sporty drive, but I guess buyers of this type of car are more concerned with other matters.

The electric motor and front-wheel drive layout ensure smooth progress, especially around town. Steering wheel paddles allow drivers to adjust the regenerative braking across three levels, with almost one pedal driving possible.

At motorway speeds, the Grandland is pleasantly hushed and the ride cosseting. Seats are very comfortable, and wind noise minimal. However, on poorly surfaced roads, of which there are plenty in my neck of the woods, the suspension does feel a tad firm, transmitting some bumps more harshly than is perhaps desirable.

Regular readers will perhaps be aware of my brisk driving style, and overtaking manoeuvres in the Grandland Electric do require a but more space than most EVs, such is the gentle acceleration. It’s clearly all about comfort.

Interior, Practicality and Technology

Vauxhall has significantly improved the cabin design for its electric Grandland. The interior is practical, spacious and considerably more contemporary than its predecessor. A large central touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster create a modern driving environment. The infotainment system is easy to use, though the DAB radio struggled to pick up and radio stations in some of the more remote areas I regularly travel through. Thank goodness for Apple CarPlay.

Of note though are the physical buttons for the climate, home and vehicle functions, plus tradition volume controls.

Cargo space is generous for the segment, with a boot capacity of 550 litres, larger than many rival in the sector. Of course, the Grandland only offers seating for five, so those needing seven seats will have to look elsewhere in the Vauxhall range or perhaps consider the slightly larger Peugeot e-5008.

Comfort features include supportive seats, LED Matrix headlights, and lots of practical storage throughout the cabin. Standard driver assistance tech includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist (the latter easy to disable) amongst other expected technologies.

Verdict

The Vauxhall Grandland Electric is attractively priced (from £36,995) and is a no-nonsense family SUV. It trades outright excitement for comfort, practicality and efficient fuss-free motoring. It’s not the most engaging or quickest in its class, but its spacious interior, commendable range, swift charging and user-friendly tech make it a compelling choice for families transitioning to electric SUVs.

Fast Facts
Vauxhall Grandland Electric
Priced from £36,995
On test ‘Ultimate’ model - £39,995
73kWh battery
213PS and 345Nm torque
0-62mph in 9 seconds
Top speed 106mph
Range up to 325 miles (WLTP)
20-80% charge – 26 minutes (160kW)
Towing – 1200kg (braked)