Test drive Opel Grandland X
Turbo engine, rich equipment and German assembly. What can oppose the Opel crossover to its classmates in one of the most popular segments in Russia
“How did you bring him to Russia? How much did it cost and, most importantly, where to serve it? " - asks the driver of Kia Sportage with surprise, examining the unfamiliar crossover, the origin of which, however, is betrayed by the familiar lightning on the radiator grille. In general, not everyone here even knows that Opel has returned to Russia after almost five years of absence.
Much has changed during this time. Several large car brands, including Ford and Datsun, managed to leave Russia, prices for new cars increased by almost one and a half times, and crossovers became more popular than hatchbacks and sedans. At the same time, Opel managed to part with the General Motors concern, which decided to leave Europe and get rid of the assets in the company that the Americans had owned since 1929. The brand left without a patron was taken under the tutelage of PSA Peugeot and Citroen, who gave 1,3 billion euros for control of the Germans.
The first model to appear after the deal was the mid-size crossover Grandland X, based on the second generation Peugeot 3008. It was he who became one of the first cars with which the Germans again came to our market at the end of last year. The zip brand has taken aim at one of the most popular segments ruled by Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson.
Opel Grandland X outwardly turned out to be much more trivial compared to its platform "donor". The Germans have landed a crossover, getting rid of the space French futurism, which has been replaced by such well-known brand features. No, the crossover can by no means be called a rejuvenated "Antara", but the continuity of the GM era can be traced unmistakably.
Inside the car, too, nothing reminds of a relationship with the Peugeot 3008 - the interior of the German crossover has as much in common with the interior of the French car as the pretzel has with the croissant. Only the engine start button and some indicators remained from the "3008". The steering wheel, beveled at the top and bottom, was replaced with a steering wheel in the style of previous Opel models, and instead of the unusual joystick-selector of the gearbox, a standard black lever was installed. The French innovative virtual instrument panel has melted into small, traditional white-lit wells. So for those familiar with cars like the Insignia or Mokka, an easy déjà vu is guaranteed.
But at the same time, the car interior looks very solid and ergonomic. In the center there is an eight-inch touchscreen display of a rather nimble and understandable media complex, which does not shine, and also practically does not leave fingerprints and smears on itself after touching.
Another plus is the comfortable anatomical front seats with 16 settings, memory function, adjustable lumbar support and adjustable seat cushion. The two rear passengers should also be comfortable - people taller than average will not have to rest their knees on their chins. The third one will still need to slouch, however, he should not be superfluous here either - another headrest is provided in the middle. The boot volume is 514 liters, and with the rear sofa folded down, the maximum usable space rises to 1652 liters. This is the class average - more than, for example, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, but less than Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4.
In Europe, the Opel Grandland X is available with several petrol and diesel engines ranging from 130 to 180 hp, and at the top of the line is a 300 hp hybrid with an eight-speed automatic transmission. But we were left without a choice - in Russia the crossover is offered with an uncontested 1,6-liter "turbo four", producing 150 hp. and 240 Nm of torque, which works in conjunction with the Aisin six-speed automatic transmission.
It seems that the Germans have chosen the engine that is optimal for our market, which fits into the budgetary framework of the transport tax, but at the same time has a decent traction in a wide range. And it is much faster than two-liter aspirated engines of comparable power. When starting from a spot in the declared 9,5 sec. up to "hundreds" there is no doubt, and overtaking on the highway is easy - without a hint of anguish and excessive noise in the cabin.
But the Opel Grandland X does not have a version with all-wheel drive - the French "cart" does not provide for such a scheme. True, the model has a 300-horsepower hybrid modification with four drive wheels, where the rear axle is connected by an electric motor, but the prospects for the appearance of such a version in Russia are still practically at zero phase.
However, in off-road driving, the IntelliGrip system helps - an analogue of the French Grip Control technology, familiar to us from modern Peugeot and Citroen crossovers. Electronics adapts the algorithms of ABS and stabilization systems for a specific type of coverage. There are five driving modes in total: standard, snow, mud, sand and ESP Off. Of course, you can't get into the jungle, but playing with the settings on a swanky country road is a pleasure.
Prices for Opel Grandland X start at 1 rubles (Enjoy version). For this money, the buyer will receive a well-equipped car with six airbags, cruise control, rear parking sensors, lamps with LED elements, air conditioning, heated seats, steering wheel and windshield, as well as a media system with an eight-inch display. The more expensive versions will already have full-LED adaptive headlights, a reversing camera, an all-round visibility system, traffic sign recognition, IntelliGrip, an automatic valet parking, an electric tailgate, as well as a panoramic roof and leather interior.
The company makes another stake on high-quality German assembly - Opel Grandland X is brought to Russia from Eisenach, while most of its direct competitors are assembled in Kaliningrad, Kaluga or St. Petersburg. The base Opel Grandland X costs almost 400 thousand rubles. more expensive than Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson with front-wheel drive and "automatic", but at the same time comparable in price with the 150-horsepower versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4, equipped with a "robot" and a variator, respectively.
Opel understands perfectly well that they will have to exist in the conditions of the most difficult competition in the market, which will be in a fever, apparently, for a long time. A company spokesman secretly said that by the end of the year, the Russian office of Opel hopes to report on three to four hundred sold crossovers. An honest, albeit very modest forecast for the brand, whose car sales were in the tens of thousands before leaving Russia.
| Body type | Crossover |
| Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4477 / 1906 / 1609 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2675 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 188 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1500 |
| Gross vehicle weight, kg | 2000 |
| engine's type | Petrol, R4, turbo |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1598 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 150 at 6000 |
| Max. torque, Nm at rpm | 240 at 1400 |
| Transmission, drive | Front, 6-speed AKP |
| Maximum speed km / h | 206 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 9,5 |
| Fuel consumption (mixture), l / 100 km | 7,3 |
| Price from, USD | 26200 |
