• Twin-screen dashboard layout
• User-friendly physical controls remain
• Not the plushest or flashiest car in the class

How is the quality and layout?

In an era when car interiors are becoming increasingly reliant on touchscreens for controlling even basic functions, and the purpose of what buttons there are is often impenetrable, we found the Vauxhall Grandland is pleasingly easy to get to grips with. Even if you’re switching from a much older car, you can work out what all the controls do in only a couple of minutes.

There’s a row of shortcut buttons and the stereo volume knob below the central touchscreen display, and a block of physical climate controls lower down. A few other buttons are scattered across the centre console. There’s a mercifully small number of buttons on the steering wheel, plus two scroll wheels.

There’s an expanse of squishy plastic on top of the Grandland’s dashboard and doors, and material quality is perfectly acceptable in other areas you touch regularly, such the temperature knobs and column stalks. Cheaper, hard and scratchy plastics are found lower down. We noted there are triangular plastic tabs protruding from the front edge of the front door cards that fill in a gap below the dashboard when the door is closed. We suspect the chances of not catching your leg on them at some point are virtually nil.

Overall, we found Grandland’s interior is very user-friendly but ultimately rather drab. The Hyundai Tucson feels plusher and brighter, the Peugeot 3008’s interior is much more interesting to look at.

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Infotainment and tech

In Ultimate guise, the Vauxhall Grandland has a 12-inch digital instrument panel that’s very legible, even if the graphics aren’t especially bold. You can call up all sorts of useful information on it using the steering wheel buttons, but we largely left it in its default mode just showing speed, distance and the fuel gauge.

Ultimate trim also has a 10-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system. We found it takes some time to become completely familiar with the menu navigation; once there most functions such as audio streaming and the driver assistance systems are available with only one or two prods at the screen.

You can connect your phone via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – on first acquaintance, it only took us a couple of minutes to establish both Bluetooth and Android connections. You can stream audio and make calls via Bluetooth, but it’s easier to use multiple apps with smartphone mirroring. The built-in satnav works perfectly well and the unbranded stereo provides decent sound quality, even when playing the heavy metal some of our testers enjoy. Incidentally, Vauxhall markets the Grandland’s infotainment tech under the tag PureConnect. Models below Ultimate level are less well equipped, but most come with satnav as standard.

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Comfort

• AGR-approved seats
• Good driving position
• Heated seats and steering wheel on Ultimate trim

High-spec Vauxhall Grandland models have a driver’s seat approved by AGR, a German organisation that campaigns for better back health. And we can vouch for the seat’s effectiveness – it’s both very supportive and extremely comfortable. One of our testers has long-standing back issues but he experienced not even a slight twinge in many hours behind the wheel.

There’s plenty of fore and aft, up and down, and lumbar adjustment in the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake. Add that together and pretty much anyone of any size and shape should be able to get comfortable. The passenger seat has plenty of adjustment, as well, and proved perfectly comfortable. Back seat passengers haven’t been forgotten, either. The bench is comfy and there are adjustable head rests and a centre armrest to aid relaxation.

In Ultimate models, the front seats and steering wheel are heated – both very welcome on cold days. The dual-zone climate control is very effective, as well. The 19-inch wheels do generate a fair bit of road noise, though, taking the edge off what’s otherwise a quiet and refined ride.

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