More than just grand

Stellantis SA launched its new Opel Grandland earlier this year, and we recently spent a week driving one to evaluate it.The Opel Grandland is larger than the previous model, yet its design is much more striking. With Opel now part of the Stellantis conglomerate, the new Grandland shares a chassis with the Peugeot 5008 and Citroën C5 Aircross.The front end is stylish, featuring the 3D Vizor design, where the Matrix LED IntelliLux headlights and the Blitz logo are connected by an LED light strip behind a transparent, glass-like panel. The roofline flows sweepingly to the rear, ending almost straight down at the tailgate and rear bumper, giving the vehicle a sporty and elegant appearance.The rear lights are particularly impressive at night, with a horizontal red LED strip connecting the tail lights and highlighting the “OPEL” name. The Grandland insignia is applied low on the tailgate in stylish lettering. The design clearly reflects a relationship with the new Mokka, while the black body colour and dark windows of the test car further enhance its stylish presence.Cabin and equipmentThanks to the larger dimensions of the new Grandland - 19 mm higher, 64 mm wider, and 173 mm longer than the previous model - the cabin offers more head, leg, and shoulder room, as well as a luggage compartment increased to 550 litres. The tailgate can be opened and closed electrically via a key button, a button on the tailgate, or a foot swipe under the rear bumper.The modern, spacious cabin is well laid out and upholstered with high-quality materials, all of which Opel claims are 100% made from recycled sources, including imitation leather, denim-like fabrics, velvet, soft rubber and polished aluminium.The cabin is comprehensively equipped with driver-assistance systems, active and passive safety features, including hill-start assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The dashboard is dominated by a 16" screen displaying the 360° camera system, vehicle information, and all audio and communication features. A 10" digital instrument display sits behind the steering wheel. Despite its minimalist design, the dashboard retains essential switches and buttons.Gears are selected via a switch in the centre console above the Pixel Box, which includes a sloped glass panel for wireless smartphone charging. The electrically adjustable front seats offer heating, cooling, and massage functions for the driver.Engine, performance and road dynamicsThe 2025 Opel Grandland GS Line is powered by the same 1.6-litre PureTech turbocharged petrol engine as its predecessor, though peak power has been increased by 13 kW and 60 Nm to 134 kW/300 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a smooth six-speed automatic transmission with three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. The engine and transmission work well together, particularly in Sport mode. Official fuel consumption is rated at 7 km/l, which is good for mixed driving.On the road, the Grandland is comfortable even on gravel, offering a pleasant ride in the spacious cabin. The chassis and suspension impressed, thanks to electronically adaptive shock absorbers that smooth out bumps without disturbing passengers.The 2025 Opel Grandland GS Line 1.6 Turbo is a strong contender in the mid-size SUV segment. It is spacious, well-built, excellently equipped and more economical than some rivals. The main drawback is the price of around N$800 000, which, while justified by its features, is higher than comparable options from China.

More than just grand

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-05

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More than just grand

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-05

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