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Vauxhall's Grandland is at its most affordable with non-plug-in 48V full-Hybrid tech - an engine that arguably hits the sweet spot in the range. Here's an ideal interim step for a customer in search of compact C-segment family crossover who isn't quite ready for a full-EV.
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Background
If you're looking for a new electrified mid-sized family SUV from Vauxhall, the brand wants you to consider its Grandland Electric. Before you sign for one of those though, we'd also counsel you to consider the car we're going to look at here, the company's entry-level Grandland 1.2 Hybrid e-DCT6. No, it's not a full-EV, but it can function much like that for a lot of the time in urban traffic. And it's much more affordable than a full-EV Grandland would be; and has none of the reliance the bigger-battery model would have on an under-funded public charging network.
There's scope for confusion here because the Grandland is also available as a Plug-in Hybrid. This more affordable 48V Grandland Turbo Hybrid e-DCT6 model can't be plugged in, but it could be all you really need.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 34700 | 38400 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 23 | 25 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 124 | 126 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 126 | 126 |
| Min | Max |
| Combined Mpg | 51.4 | 51.4 |
| Length (mm) | 4650 | 4650 |
| Width (mm) | 2108 | 2108 |
| Height (mm) | 1657 | 1657 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 550 | 550 |
Driving experience
Like the Astra, this Grandland gets the 136hp version of this Hybrid powertrain; a de-tuned 100hp variant of this unit can powers the smaller Frontera Hybrid SUV. Either way this is a 48V mild hybrid set-up based around the familiar 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine that sustained sales of the previous generation Grandland model. With the e-DCT6 package, it's mated to a bespoke 6-speed dual clutch auto transmission. Bespoke because that gearbox's casing houses the DC inverter, the Engine Control Unit and a little 28hp electric motor powered by a tiny battery secreted beneath the front passenger seat.
On the move, the petrol engine and the electric motor can operate together - or separately. And, unlike with a mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a Volkswagen Tiguan eTSI, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone. The motor also assists the engine under acceleration - such as from standstill to 62mph, which (helped by 230Nm of torque) takes 10.2s en route to 126mph. In day-to-day use, this engine struggles a bit to propel 1,600kg of mid-sized SUV, but it'd be fine for commuting duties. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system.
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Design and build
There are no visual clues at all to this Grandland's 48V Hybrid status, unless you closely examine the badgework. You can see at a glance that this second generation model is a very different kind of Grandland. For a start, it's a lot bigger, 173mm longer thanks to the new 'STLA Medium' architecture. And there's the new era of Vauxhall design language that was previewed by the brand's 'Experimental' concept of 2022, intended to position the car as 'electric first visually'.
At the front, this sees a new three-dimensional version of the company's usual 'Vizor' nose, with a transparent structure housing lighting elements and an illuminated Griffin badge. There's a similar effect at the rear, where three-dimensional tail lamps in a clear acrylic casing sit within a full-width lighting element that includes illuminated Vauxhall script. In profile, you notice sleek aerodynamic optimisation, the lack of chrome, the flush-fitting glass and the big wheels (19 or 20-inch rims).
Vauxhall design has moved on inside too, where the previous 'Pure Panel' digital interface is replaced by a slimmer 10-inch instrument display and a separated wide-aspect-ratio 16-inch centre dash touchscreen equipped with ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence. What it doesn't have (fortunately) is climate controls - those separated out into physical buttons. If you're overwhelmed by data from the two screens, there's a 'Pure' mode that pairs it back to just the essentials.
Another nice touch lies with the fabric-covered central bin's wireless 'phone charger; there's a clever transparent wall facing the driver that hides the 'phone when it's not in use but illuminates it when you come to a stop, so you don't forget to take your handset with you when you leave the car; neat. That 'Pixel Box' is part of 35-litres of cabin storage space. Interior quality has taken a big step up, with lots of contrasting textures and finishes; and there's an unusually-styled steering wheel that's smarter and oblong in shape.
You'd hope the extended 4,650mm body length would allow for extra second row legroom - and so it proves; there's 20mm more of it. The extra 31mm of body height aids headroom too. There's also more space out back, the 550-litre boot 36-litres larger than before. And Vauxhall has added in more flexible 40:20:40 seatback split and an extra bit of under-floor storage. When everything is flattened, there's up to 1,640-litres available.
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Market and model
Pricing for this Turbo Hybrid e-DCT6 model starts at around £35,000. That's for base 'Design' trim. You'll need a couple of thousand more for mid-level 'GS' spec; and well over £38,000 for top 'Ultimate' trim. Obvious mild hybrid-engined rivals apart from the MHEV version of this car's close cousin, the Peugeot 3008, include base versions of the Ford Kuga, the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Mazda CX-5, the Citroen C5 Aircross, the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage.
You will at least get plenty of equipment for the sums being asked. As well as the two dashboard screens, there are all-round parking sensors, plus a rearview camera with a washing function and 360-degree views. Media connectivity includes wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and wired 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring.
Top models get an upgrade from 19 to 20-inch wheels; and Intelli-Lux Matrix LED HD headlights with 51,200 elements. There's also a vast level of standard passive and active safety equipment, which includes an active cruise control system with a 'stop & go' function, plus intelligent speed adaption, traffic sign recognition and automatic autonomous braking. If you want to go further, you can fit Vauxhall's updated Intelli-Drive 2.0 system, which includes steering assist and a semi-autonomous lane change assist system. It'll also actively prompt you to change the set speed when a speed limit change is oncoming.
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Cost of ownership
This Grandland Hybrid manages up to 51.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 124g/km of CO2. Vauxhall reckons that this model's mild hybrid petrol engine technology reduces fuel consumption by 15%, with these savings mostly being achieved during urban driving, where as we told you in our 'Driving' section, the brand claims the car can run on just electric power for up to 50% of the time. Motorway efficiency remains unchanged. Throughout our test, on mixed roads, we recorded mpg figures in the mid-40s. Obviously, this variant's BiK-rated much higher than the PHEV or EV Grandland models - at 29%. Insurance is between groups 23E and 25E depending on variant. The first year VED rate is £210; the standard VED rate is £180.
This Grandland Hybrid's petrol engine has been optimised for efficiency and operates in the Miller combustion cycle. This thermodynamic cycle is enabled by the variable geometry turbocharger, which enhances performance at low rpm, and variable valve timing. A belt-driven starter combines with the e-motor to start the petrol engine from cold. The belt-starter also restarts the engine quickly and seamlessly while driving. As for peace of mind, well there's the usual unremarkable Vauxhall three year 60,000 mile warranty.
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Summary
This 48V Hybrid engine is rapidly becoming the powerplant of choice in the many Stellantis Group models in which it's fitted - and it's no different here. This unit can struggle a little with a car of this size, but if you don't mind that, it's a frugal and flexible suburban companion. You could get exactly the same 48V powertrain in a Peugeot 3008, but it would cost significantly more. But we'd be tempted to consider the cost saving we'd get by opting for the same engine in a Citroen C5 Aircross.
If you don't want one of those though (or get a deal from Vauxhall that makes this Grandland look a better bet), there's much to like here. The Grandland has always been an under-estimated contender in the more compact part of the mid-sized SUV C-segment. Now though, it's a lot more difficult to overlook.
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