Opel has slipped the outer reaches of our radar. The brand once duelled with Toyota to be Ireland’s bestselling brand. Last year it was outsold by Tesla and Mercedes Benz, with 2,444 new registrations at a time when Toyota came first with 17,521.
Since its star waned, there have been a few false dawns. But having been abandoned by its poorly performing former parent General Motors, the foundling is now in the foster care of Stellantis, which already has Peugeot, Fiat and several other European marques. It’s finally getting some TLC.
The Stellantis plan, from what we can perceive, is simple. Copy the playbook of Volkswagen Group. That means developing a solid powertrain, platform and technology and fitting various styling formats on top – one for each brand. The set-ups can be tweaked to suit each brand’s pitch. Then you throw in a little retro styling to remind people there’s some heritage to this brand – unlike new Asian arrivals.
It’s not without risk. If the foundations are flawed, then every brand suffers. Thankfully for Opel, Stellantis has delivered a steady line of products. So, with the new Grandland, you get a car built upon the same platform that underpins the latest Peugeot 3008, the new 5008, Citroen C5 Aircross and the upcoming Jeep Compass, to name but four.
Opel Grandland: Can this surprisingly impressive EV crossover lure Irish buyers back?
What’s the best EV for a 400km round trip without stopping and charging?
Just 17% of Irish people believe State should phase out all fossil fuels, survey shows
Happy torque: BMW’s electric M3 is a fan car in more senses than one
In the case of this electric version, it shares many of its components with Peugeot’s all-electric E-3008.
Here we have a practical, straightforward family crossover that’s ready for everyday life, which was once Opel’s forte.
Unsurprisingly, this is not an engaging car to drive. Like most EV crossovers – with Alfa’s impressive Junior being an exception – the Grandland is about comfort rather than driving dynamics. That’s good news for Irish drivers, as it performs well on motorways, while soaking up surface issues on our regional and local roads. It’s easy to drive rather than engaging, which for those coping with the hectic family life, will suit just fine.
For an EV, the Grandland isn’t fast. A 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds is sluggish in a world where electric MGs can now outrun Aston Martins. Yet it has enough acceleration for all necessary overtaking on motorways or national routes. And for a big car, it’s also easy to manoeuvre around town. It’s big, but there’s plenty of visibility.
Practically speaking, the Grandland may lack a front truck (“frunk”), but it’s offers ample space in the boot, particularly with its underfloor storage. Rear-seat legroom is comparable to rivals.
Perhaps the biggest selling point for customers will be the cabin, where they’ve raided the parts bin of Stellantis sibling Peugeot to deliver a much better-quality finish than we’ve come to expect from Opel recently.
For example, the Opel Mokka’s cabin seems unfinished and drab, and we feared this was the design direction the brand was taking with its interior trim.
There’s a nice use of materials on the dash to brighten things up, while the touchscreen is slightly more user-friendly than in the Peugeot, even though it’s essentially the same 16-inch-wide strip.
In terms of range, the Grandland electric’s claim of 523km may be ambitious, but 420km seems realistic based on our time with the car, averaging below 18.0kWh/100km from its battery pack’s 73kWh of usable capacity.
A larger 93kWh battery is on the way too, with Opel claiming it will have an official range of up to 700km. These are big batteries, especially compared with similar rivals, which list packs more than 70kWh as their “long-range” versions.
The Grandland can also charge at up to 160kW from a DC fast charger, which means you can theoretically get from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 25 minutes – if you can find a charging station that delivers on its promises.
If cabin refinement, comfort and space are the Grandland’s calling cards, then price is where Opel hopes to seal the deal. Starting at €39,065 after grants, the all-electric Grandland is a lot of car for the money. Dare we use the word “value” at a time when overall car prices are soaring?
Our test car was the highest specification GS version, but even then, the price was €43,763. The Grandland is also offered in a mild-hybrid petrol variant, plus a plug-in hybrid is on the way. But the full EV version is likely to be the best priced of the lot.
To put some perspective on that pricing, you don’t even need to leave an Opel forecourt. A mid-level mild-hybrid Corsa costs €30,295, while the Astra sits in the €35,000 price bracket. So, this is a lot of car for the money.
Price-check it against rivals with similar battery sizes and specifications, and you begin to see why the Grandland may lure buyers back to Opel showrooms.
The challenge for the Grandland is the sheer number of rivals. These range from established players such as Volkswagen’s ID.4 and its cousin, the Skoda Enyaq, through to the stylish, award-winning Renault Scenic E-Tech.
[ Volkswagen ID.4: Craving an SUV? VW’s all-electric new model could be for youOpens in new window ]
[ Is Skoda’s electric Enyaq the true people’s car?Opens in new window ]
[ Can the Ford Explorer arrive late to the EV party and still impress?Opens in new window ]
Then there are long-standing Opel rivals, such as Ford with its new Explorer EV, also priced in the mid-€40,000 bracket. It’s another waning star hoping to revive its fortunes, courtesy of its deal with Volkswagen.
That’s before we get to Asia and its wave of crossovers in various powertrain guises.
Some of these rivals are more stylish, some more functional and many are simply from brands that stole place on Ireland’s driveways several years ago, building relationships with customers who might once have been Opel buyers. Winning them back won’t be easy.
That’s why it’s easy to overlook the Opel – but that’s a mistake. At these prices, it’s a car that warrants more attention.
Lowdown: Opel Grandland electric GS 73kWh
Power: A 210bhp electric motor supported by a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) metal battery pack with 73kWh of usable storage
0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds
Range: 523km (WLTP)
Motor tax: €120
Price: From €39,065 (€43,763 as tested)
Our rating: 4/5
Our verdict: Surprisingly impressive, particularly at this price point, but may still struggle to make its mark in a crowded market
