Test drive Opel Grandland X and Zafira Life: what the Germans returned with
During the year, Opel will bring six models to our market, but so far it will start with two: a reimagined minivan based on a French base and an expensive crossover with rich equipment.
Opel returned to Russia, and this event, which we officially learned about on New Year's Eve, seemed very optimistic against the backdrop of market stagnation. Even before the end of the year, the importer managed to announce prices and open a pre-order for two of its models, and the AvtoTachki correspondent traveled to Germany for a more detailed acquaintance with the cars of the brand that are relevant to us. It is known that by the end of the year the Russian Opel lineup will grow to six models, but so far only the Grandland X crossover and the Zafira Life minivan have appeared in dealer showrooms.
The name is one of the main reasons for concern about the fate of the Opel crossover in Russia. It is clear that in five years it is impossible to completely forget all the cars of the brand, especially when some bestsellers like Astra and Corsa have remained in the Opel line for more than three decades and still travel tens of thousands on the roads of our country. The first thing that will confuse the Russian buyer is the unusual name Crossland X, because in the minds of people, the German brand in the crossover segment is still associated with a fairly large Antara and a stylish urban Mokka.
However, the new Grandland X, to the name of which you will have to get used to, cannot be called the heir of either the first or the second. The length of the car is 4477 mm, the width is 1906 mm, and the height is 1609 mm, and with these parameters it fits exactly between the models mentioned above. The new Opel is the closest to the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai of the actual size cars for the market.
However, unlike these models, the Grandland, which shares the platform with the Peugeot 3008, is offered exclusively in front-wheel drive. Later, the Germans promise to bring us a hybrid version with four-wheel drive, but no specific dates are given. In the meantime, the choice is very modest, and this applies not only to the type of transmission, but also to the power units. In our market, the car is available only with a petrol turbo engine with a capacity of 150 liters. with., which is combined exclusively with the 8-speed automatic Aisin.
However, it should be admitted that this unit is actually quite good. Yes, it does not have such a serious reserve of torque at low revs as the Volkswagen supercharged units, but in general there is a lot of thrust, and it is quite evenly spread across the entire operating speed range. Add to that a nimble eight-speed automatic with good settings and you have a very dynamic car. And not only in the city, but also on the highway.
Traffic light starts in Frankfurt, where the test drive took place, left no questions about the power unit from the very beginning. And doubts about the route modes of movement were quickly dispelled, it was only necessary to be outside the city on the unlimited autobahn. Acceleration on the move was given by Grandland X without any problems up to speeds of 160-180 km per hour. The car eagerly picked up speed and easily went to overtake. At the same time, fuel consumption, even at such speeds, did not go beyond 12 l / 100 km. If you drive this car without fanaticism, then the average consumption will probably be able to keep within 8-9 liters. Not bad by the standards of the class.
If the French units on the German model turned out to be very appropriate, then the opelevtsy, apparently, were still doing the interior trim themselves. There are a minimum of parts unified with the French counterpart. The crossover has its own symmetrical front panel, traditional instruments in wells with white illumination, a scattering of live buttons on the center console and comfortable seats with wide adjustments. In 2020, this style of design may seem a little old-fashioned, but there are no ergonomic miscalculations here - everything in German is verified and intuitive.
The second row and trunk are organized with the same pedantry. There is enough space for rear riders, the sofa itself is molded for two, but a third headrest is present. The third will be cramped, and not only in the shoulders, but also in the legs: the knees of even short people will probably rest against the console with air conditioning vents and buttons for heating the sofa.
Cargo compartment with a volume of 514 liters - regular rectangular shape. Wheel arches eat up space, but only slightly. There is another decent compartment under the floor, but it may not be occupied by a stowaway, but a full-fledged spare wheel.
In general, the Grandland X looks like a strong middle peasant, but the price of the car, which is imported from the German Opel plant in Eisenach, is still high. Customers can choose from three fixed configurations Enjoy, Innovation and Cosmo priced at $ 23, $ 565 and $ 26. respectively.
For this money, you can buy a well-equipped Volkswagen Tiguan with an all-wheel drive transmission, but the Opel Grandland X is far from poor. For example, the top version of the Cosmo has leather seats with a lot of adjustments, a panoramic roof, retractable curtains, a car park and all-round cameras, keyless entry, an electric trunk and wireless phone charger. Besides, unlike its classmates, this model is still quite fresh for our market.
In terms of numbers, the Zafira Life minivan is even more expensive, but in comparison with direct competitors it seems much more competitive. The car is offered in two trim levels: Innovation and Cosmo, the first one can be both short (4956 mm) and long (5306 mm) versions, and the second - only with a long body. The initial version is priced at $ 33, and the extended version is priced at $ 402. The top version will cost $ 34.
Also not cheap, but do not forget that a model named Zafira Life does not play in the compact van segment, like the former Zafira, but in something completely different. The car shares a platform with Citroen Jumpy and Peugeot Expert and rather competes with Volkswagen Caravelle and Mercedes V-class. And these models in similar trim levels will definitely not be cheaper.
The choice of powertrains at Zafira Life is also not rich. For Russia, the car is equipped with a two-liter diesel engine with a return of 150 liters. with., which is combined with a six-speed automatic. And again only the front-wheel drive. However, it is possible that the minivan will still receive all-wheel drive. After all, Citroen Jumpy, going with it on the same line in Kaluga, is already offered with a 4x4 transmission.
On the test was a short version, but in a fairly rich package with a full range of available equipment, including electric side doors, a head-up display, distance and lane control systems, as well as a Grip Control function with a selector for selecting off-road driving modes.
Unlike the Grandland X, in Zafira Life, the affinity with the PSA models is immediately apparent. The interior is exactly the same as on the Jumpy, right down to the rotating selector washer. The finish is okay, but the dark plastic feels a bit gloomy. On the other hand, the practicality and functionality of the interior is the main thing in such cars. And with this, Zafira Life has complete order: boxes, shelves, folding seats - and a whole bus of seats behind the three front row seats.
And the car was pleasantly surprised by its absolutely light handling. The electric power steering is calibrated so that at low speeds the steering wheel rotates almost effortlessly, so maneuvering in a narrow space is easier than ever. With an increase in speed, the steering wheel is filled with synthetic force, but the existing connection is quite enough for safe movement at permitted speeds.
On the go, the Zafira is soft and comfortable. She swallows trifles on the road almost unperturbed. And on large irregularities, almost to the last, it resists longitudinal swing and nervously reacts only to rather large waves of asphalt, if you pass them at a decent speed.
The only thing that annoys me is the aerodynamic noise in the cabin when driving on country roads. The howling wind from the turbulence in the area of the A-pillars is clearly audible in the cabin. Especially when the speed exceeds 100 km / h. At the same time, the roar of the engine and the rustle of tires penetrate the interior within reasonable limits. And all in all, it seems like a perfectly acceptable price to pay to make this car a little cheaper than the competition.
| A type | Crossover | Minivan |
| dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4477/1906/1609 | 4956/1920/1930 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2675 | 3275 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 188 | 175 |
| Cargo space, l | 514 | 1000 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1500 | 1964 |
| Gross vehicle weight, kg | 2000 | 2495 |
| engine's type | R4, gasoline, turbo | R4, diesel, turbo |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1598 | 1997 |
| Max. power, l. with. at rpm | 150/6000 | 150/4000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 240/1400 | 370/2000 |
| Drive type, transmission | Front, AKP8 | Front, AKP6 |
| Max. speed km / h | 206 | 178 |
| Fuel consumption (average), l / 100 km | 7,3 | 6,2 |
| Price from, $. | 23 565 | 33 402 |
