Opel Grandland Hybrid 4 – Driving impressions and thoughts on the PHEV Hybrid

August 25, 2021 Fiona Smith

Opel gave its Grandland model a digitization treatment and a revision of the design that corresponds to the current design brand language.

At the invitation of Opel, I had the opportunity to look at the new model on a day trip from Frankfurt to the Taunus and to gather my first driving impressions. Of course I concentrated on the plug-in hybrid model again this time and on my return trip to Frankfurt city center I saw my view of PHEV vehicles confirmed again.

Technical data Opel Grandland Hybrid 4

We were able to test the predecessor, the Opel Grandland X Hybrid 4, some time ago. In a direct comparison you can see that the Grandland is a further development in which the technology and design have been improved.

Available with gasoline and diesel engines and in two versions as a plug-in hybrid
Dimensions: 4,477 / 1,906 / 1,609 mm (length / width with folded exterior mirrors / height)
Trunk volume: from 390 to a maximum of 1,652 liters
Starting price of 27,250 euros, Grandland Hybrid from 44,290 euros less up to 7,177.50 euros environmental bonus (RRP including VAT in Germany)
Opel Vizor with integrated, glare-free IntelliLux LED® pixel light of the latest generation (a total of 168 LED elements – 84 per headlight)
Fully digital, intuitive pure panel cockpit with two widescreen displays
Clearly designed rear with name and Opel lightning bolt in the center
Bumpers and side panels painted in body color
Opel premiere for Night Vision System: an infrared camera at the front detects people and animals up to 100 meters in the direction of travel
Front collision warning now bundles the functions of various assistance aids, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian, traffic sign and drowsiness detection as well as active lane keeping assistant, with the integrated automatic speed assistant including the “Stop & Go” function (with automatic transmission)
In addition, systems such as automatic parking assistant, blind spot warning, front and rear view cameras
Ergonomic active seats with multiple adjustment options certified by “Aktion Gesunderback eV”; optionally also with Alcantara cover, heatable and in leather interior with ventilation
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment systems up to the top-of-the-line device Multimedia Navi Pro with real-time traffic information
OpelConnect services with emergency / breakdown calls as well as information on vehicle status, routes and journeys

Design Opel Grandland Hybrid 4

The new design with the new brand face, which Opel showed for the first time with the Mocha, also suits the Grandland very well.

The Vizor with the integrated standard LED daytime running lights clearly distinguishes it visually from its predecessors.

The rear with the name lettering in the new Opel typography is also a clear sign of the new self-confidence. A special feature that struck me and that is still very rarely seen in vehicles: the LED taillights are also activated on the daytime running lights. A small but nice design highlight if you ask me.

Inside, too, the design and technology from the mocha have been adopted. The fully digital Pure Panel inside makes a modern impression.

First impression Opel Grandland Hybrid 4

Basically, I can take over a lot of my driving impression of the Grandland X Hybrid 4 from over a year ago. Because the facelift has mainly devoted itself to optical and digital aspects.
“Opel goes electric”. All Opel models in Europe should be fully electric by 2028.

Opel solves the interaction between combustion engines and electric motors very well in the Grandland. If the battery is not empty, the Grandland Hybrid always starts in electric mode. Driving in purely electric mode is, as one is used to from electric drives, calm and calm.

Whereby the Hybrid 4 with the two electric motors (front: 110 hp; rear 113 hp) also allows very decent and, above all, spontaneous acceleration from a purely electric point of view.

It gets down to business even faster in hybrid or sport mode. The agility that the Grandland has as a hybrid model makes you forget the size of the vehicle.

Personally, I am a friend of PHEV vehicles. The range in combination with the option of saving 10% or 20% battery power using the eSave button enables local emission-free driving in everyday traffic areas where it matters, for example in the city center. This makes the hybrid a good choice for commuters – especially useful when there is the option to charge the car at home and / or at work. This means that most everyday journeys can be managed purely electrically. Since electricity is significantly cheaper than gasoline and the Grandland Hybrid also offers the possibility of saving tax and also qualifies for state subsidies, I personally consider the hybrid variant to be the better choice for most motorists than a pure combustion engine “Normal” movement profiles.

I personally get another good first impression from the driving event. The hybrid drive ensures a surprisingly brisk propulsion that I did not expect.

My favorite detail from the predecessor was also taken over again: the blue LED in the mirror. This only lights up when you are moving purely electrically and thus signals to the environment that the car is not emitting any emissions. This detail is intended primarily to facilitate traffic monitoring in zero-emission areas. In fact, it also has a significantly different effect: LEDs make electromobility even more visible in everyday life. I would like other manufacturers to adopt and implement this technology. In my opinion, this increases the positive effect of electric cars on the cityscape, because it makes them easy and visible to everyone at first.