Opel Grandland GSe Review

The Opel Grandland GSe is a new top of the range, more performance-oriented Grandland plug-in hybrid with 300hp, all wheel drive, sportier styling and improved handling.

Along with the new Opel Astra GSe, it’s one of the first Opels to wear the brand’s new GSe badge, which stands for Grand Sport Electric and blends Opel’s sporty heritage with their electric future.

Caroline travelled to Malaga, Spain, with Opel Ireland to drive the new Grandland GSe ahead of its arrival in Ireland very soon.

Styling

The Grandland GSe gets some sporty distinguishing features that really lift the styling of Opel’s family SUV. Diamond cut 19-inch alloy wheels with an Opel Manta GSe inspired design come as standard, a sportier front bumper, unique rear diffuser, as well as the Opel black pack that includes a striking black bonnet and blacked out Opel badges and lettering.

Interior

AGR-certified Alcantara-trimmed front sports seats are a new addition to the cabin of the Grandland GSe. They are comfortable and supportive, but it’s a shame there are not a few more sportier touches to the cabin. The cabin is quite plain for a top of the range Grandland, though it does come well-equipped with heated steering wheel, heated seats, 10-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-inch driver information display, parking sensors, 360-degree camera, side blind spot alert, night vision, lane keeping and change assist, enhanced traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and start, dark tinted privacy rear windows, ambient lighting and AFL Pixel Matrix LED lighting.

Practicality

The Grandland GSe is a mid-size, five seat SUV and feels roomy inside with plenty of space for adult passengers. However, being a hybrid Grandland means that boot volume is reduced from 514 litres in petrol and diesel versions, to 390 litres in the hybrid. That’s still more than the Astra GSe’s boot and enough to swallow a few suitcases.

Engine

The old top of the range Grandland plug-in hybrid is replaced with the new Grandland GSe model. The powertrain is the same so it’s still a 1.6-litre petrol electric hybrid putting out 300hp from an electric motor on the front and rear axle. It has 520Nm of torque and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds, which is actually quicker than the new Astra GSe. The Grandland GSe also gets some technical updates to improve its handling. Blending power with efficiency, the Grandland GSe is capable of up to 63 kilometres of electric driving on a full battery.

Driving

The Opel Grandland GSe has been designed to be more performance-oriented than the rest of the range. The GSe gets unique suspension and steering calibration. Just like the Astra GSe, there are firmer springs and dampers with Frequency Selective Damping technology. The Grandland GSe shows impressive composure in fast cornering but the ride quality does suffer and it feels quite firm over the road surface compared to the Astra GSe – or even more standard versions of the Grandland. Acceleration is brisk with the extra grip from the four wheel drive system making it feel secure across different road types.

Pricing

The new Opel Grandland GSe is available from €59,995 in Ireland. The standard front wheel drive Grandland plug-in hybrid with 225hp is available from €47,995.

Verdict

The GSe badge adds some prestige to Opel’s top of the range, four wheel drive Grandland plug-in hybrid. It’s a smart-looking SUV, but the cabin feels a bit dull by comparison, with the new sports seats the only nod to the GSe’s sporty upgrade.

Under the skin, there’s been a bit more work to enhance the Grandland’s performance. It’s a very composed SUV when you want to quicken the pace but the GSe makeover still fails to fully ignite a sporty character for Opel’s family SUV.

As a top of the range, plug-in hybrid SUV with unique style, the Grandland can make a case for itself – though the price tag will keep the Grandland GSe a niche buy in Ireland.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year