If proof were needed about how important SUVs are to car manufacturers, look no further than the revitalised Vauxhall Grandland revealed for the first time in these pictures.
It’s the third model in the range to receive the blanked-off Vauxhall Vizor grille following on from two other SUVs – the facelifted Crossland and the sharp-suited all-new Mokka. It will, eventually, be used across the entire line-up.
Like the Crossland, the visual changes to the Crossland also usher in a subtle name change, with the X suffix disappearing from the Grandland badge.
So, what is the Grandland?
Although it’s the largest of Vauxhall’s SUVs, size-wise it’s not that big in the grand scheme of things. It’s a direct rival to popular mid-size models such as the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, to name a mere handful.
Because Vauxhall is part of the Stellantis group, it’s also closely related to the Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot 3008.
Vauxhall has yet to reveal details of which engines will be available, but expect something similar to the outgoing ensemble of turbocharged petrol and diesel motors, complemented by plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in two levels of performance.
As before, the Grandland remains very much a road-biased SUV – only the more powerful Hybrid4 models feature four-wheel drive.
What has changed besides the name?
Most of the external changes relate to the encompassing of the new grille, with a completely different bumper moulding and the optional LED matrix headlamps. These have the same adaptive technology as the excellent lights in the current Insignia hatchback, partially framed by LED daytime-running lights.
From the photos it looks like a broadly successful change, especially given that the bonnet and front wings are carried over from the Grandland X, but changes to the rest of the exterior are minimal, with a greater degree of body-coloured mouldings than the unpainted dark plastics previously employed.
Climb aboard and you’re greeted with a clever-looking evolution of its predecessor’s interior. Many of the plastic mouldings are familiar, but the main dashboard plane has been thoroughly updated with a twin-screen arrangement, called Pure Panel, rather like the latest Mokka.
Is there any new technology?
Yes, although it’s new to the Grandland, rather than box-fresh tech not seen on any previous car.
Supplementing the matrix headlamp option is the availability of Night Vision, using a system already seen on some of the Vauxhall’s Stellantis cousins.
Displayed on the instrument screen immediately ahead of the driver, the system recognises outlines of people and large animals with an infrared camera, which picks up on potential dangers quicker than the human eye and headlamps alone might.
Other uprated driver assistance features includes Highway Integration Assist, which can be specified on Grandlands with automatic transmission.
It goes beyond adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, using cameras and radar on dual carriageways and motorways to assist in keeping itself within the centre of the lane. We’ll have a sense of whether the system feels natural or intrusive when we drive it.
What this means for you
This new look could prove to be a shot in the arm for the Grandland, given the outgoing model was decent enough, but lacked much in the way of presence. The changes look positive – this is definitely a mid-life refresh, not a mid-life crisis.
How appealing it is will be governed by its pricing structure, particularly for those who intend to obtain one via a PCP or PCH deal. Given the number of new Crosslands and Mokkas already on the road, the omens bode well for the larger Vauxhall SUV.
Exactly how much it costs will be confirmed later in 2021, ahead of deliveries commencing in the autumn.
Parkers will be among the first to drive the refreshed Vauxhall Grandland, so keep this page bookmarked for the latest news and views.
Further reading
>> We look at the best hybrid SUVs on sale
>> We rate the best seven-seaters available
>> Find out how much your car is worth with Parkers
