Thought I'd share some thoughts here of a car I've been given for a few days, possibly a fortnight.. Some of you are owners of Fiat's plus other cars, others former owners, perhaps you'll have the chance or opportunity to consider something like this Vauxhall Grandland in the near future. Thought I'd chip in on what I think of it so far - it might be of interest, or maybe not.. either way:
I want to start with a positive - this isn't the worst car ever made. Far from it. And I certainly could have been given much worse! My experience is calibrated by my experience and appreciation of my 2005 Panda and 2017 Panda, then a decent spec DS3 (Citroen), some time with a high spec new Mercedes a couple of years ago (also an auto) and then my current Lexus CT (a fairly basic spec example too). I think this spectrum of cars has given me a decent perspective on the Grandland.
This is no Vauxhall, as many of you know, it's a firmly 'Stellantis' product. It looks much like a Peugeot 2008 akin to how the Skoda Fabia is a VW Polo, particularly if you're a distance behind one on the motorway during sundown, same silhouette.. Just with some modern Vauxhall styling. I don't think it's a particularly bad looking car. Vauxhall cars seem to have retained and evolved along the same tangent of exterior style that I think the final GM based cars were headed towards, I applaud Stellantis for making such an effort to try and keep them unique. Oddly, the rear quarter glass still has a 'GM' stamp on the glass. I think this was the first 'new' model after breaking off from GM.
The engine is the 1.2 turbo petrol. And it's reminiscent of the diesel 1.6 Avensis in that, for such a small engine, it doesn't feel weak to drive around such a bulky body. The turbo does a fairly good job. Three cylinders means it's not very refined at speed, nor efficient whatsoever. it's getting low 30s mpg on a 140 mile round trip this weekend. Combined with the auto gearbox, it's actually low speeds where the car delivers its worst performance. It's choppy, clunky with the gear changes and in start-stop bumper to bumper traffic (the very place where an auto justifies its place!) it's the worst. There is a rough shudder throughout the car, similar to a poorly used manual clutch at a speed prior to the car stalling, except the stall never comes and a tap on the brake abruptly ends it by activating start/stop - stopping the car instantly, jolting the body forward a bit. You can feel and see your passengers jolt forward every time. OR, upon the low rolling shudder, you put your foot down on the accelerator to continue, and after about a second of nothing it will jump into gear and roughly plough forward at speed. It feels like whatever you need it to do, you initiate, and then have to double down to get it to spring into action. I was always of the belief that a 'bad auto' was still better than changing gears, but I think now I agree with the owner criticisms and reviews when they insult auto gearboxes. That diesel Merc had probably one of the best auto gearboxes, barely felt it at any stage and it always was in the right position (seemingly). I've driven a relatives auto Mazda 6 which gets a fair bit of criticism, it's certainly a bit clunkier than the Merc was, but nothing like this. In summary, the engine / gears stop this car from what I'd call 'nice to live with'.
This is the highest spec 'Ultimate' model. I was utterly shocked to find it RRPs at £37,000+ as configured. It has every feature I can think of, with the exception of a glass sun/roof. Radar cruise control, heated steering wheels (heated seats and CarPlay!), that 'self driving' thing where you just need to keep your hands on the wheel every two minutes, power tailgate with the foot wave activation, digital dash, drive modes, 360 parking cam... nearly everything on a modern specced out car. On paper you'd think this is the real deal, an arguably stylish (by today's standards, not mine), well equipped, auto, safe, spacious car - but in reality the rough ride, poor refinement and clunky drive feel let it down. Interestingly, the very exact same grade / texture of cheap, scratchy plastic is everywhere below the shoulders in this cars interior, as in the 2004 Corsa C interior I drove after passing my test. The nicer stuff must be reserved for the Peugeot / Citroen variants.
When I looked up the cost, I was shocked as I pictured this would be mid / higher 20k mark - after all, the term 'SUV' aside, this is, a modern people carrier in effect. It leans around corners like a people carrier, it's got an absurdly high roof inside like a people carrier. I think the marketers have ran rings around us consumers by banishing the 'Zafiras' and 'Scenics' and styled it like a mini off roader come 'crossover', and they're marking up the price accordingly, have normalised 2wd as 'cost saving' and voila, we have the Grandland and it's competitors. All selling like hotcakes too! I wrote this off to being part of the inflation / gradual increase of cars both new and used over time. Especially in recent years. The insult to injury with this car (and cars like it) is that, you can buy a specced out Lexus UX crossover (with other fancy things like a heated steering wheel) for the same money. That's where I think buyers are getting shafted, arguably, if you just wanted features instead of a 'better badge' for the same cost, I'd understand the choice of the consumer to choose one or the other, but this car has a lot of poor qualities, the kind which will kick you every day you live with it, so to know a smoother, more reliable, faster car for the same price is out there - and probably a tonne of others from the usual big name brands.
If nothing else, I would say this just serves as a reminder that if any of you are considering a new car and you're solely going by price point, or solely going by a list of features you want, please, PLEASE take the time to test drive all of your options. Because to spend £37k on this experience is cruel. In the past I assumed that price point was a fairly rough guide on what to expect in that you can probably buy something equivalent from another make... if you bought a Alfa Romeo MiTo instead of a Fiat Punto, you probably could have chosen a higher spec Punto with more bells and whistles over an entry MiTo... or a used, high spec MiTo for the cost of the basic Punto. For every 'give' on one choice, there was a 'taken' feature or benefit. Seems like nowadays, there are options like draining your wallet like a premium car without giving you your full money's worth. If this car was priced like its badge one time would have suggested, as a value choice, I could forgive some of it's rough edges. I hope none of you end up in this situation (if you were to purchase something like this). It was a shock to me.
Final word on this, I think it reminds me what I admire about the Fiat's I owned. The word 'unassuming' or 'honest' is used a lot by people describing them. They are what they are. A lot of people expect much less from them, then they perform above expectation. I certainly had my doubts a decade ago about ever owning a Fiat only to be proven wrong and end up being somewhat of a fanatic over them. I think the opposite is true of the Grandland and many cars in this class, for sale today, I think a lot of hardworking people (or even old people, retired, looking for something to enjoy via Motability or whatever it is) will opt for a car like this, which promises everything on their wishlist only to be disappointed where 120+ years of automotive engineering has gotten us. And in case anybody is wondering (and made it this far)... motorcyclist drove into the back of my CT on Easter weekend (insurance agreed, not at fault) claims company sorted me out with this car whilst it's away. No injuries thankfully. I miss it already.
I want to start with a positive - this isn't the worst car ever made. Far from it. And I certainly could have been given much worse! My experience is calibrated by my experience and appreciation of my 2005 Panda and 2017 Panda, then a decent spec DS3 (Citroen), some time with a high spec new Mercedes a couple of years ago (also an auto) and then my current Lexus CT (a fairly basic spec example too). I think this spectrum of cars has given me a decent perspective on the Grandland.
This is no Vauxhall, as many of you know, it's a firmly 'Stellantis' product. It looks much like a Peugeot 2008 akin to how the Skoda Fabia is a VW Polo, particularly if you're a distance behind one on the motorway during sundown, same silhouette.. Just with some modern Vauxhall styling. I don't think it's a particularly bad looking car. Vauxhall cars seem to have retained and evolved along the same tangent of exterior style that I think the final GM based cars were headed towards, I applaud Stellantis for making such an effort to try and keep them unique. Oddly, the rear quarter glass still has a 'GM' stamp on the glass. I think this was the first 'new' model after breaking off from GM.
The engine is the 1.2 turbo petrol. And it's reminiscent of the diesel 1.6 Avensis in that, for such a small engine, it doesn't feel weak to drive around such a bulky body. The turbo does a fairly good job. Three cylinders means it's not very refined at speed, nor efficient whatsoever. it's getting low 30s mpg on a 140 mile round trip this weekend. Combined with the auto gearbox, it's actually low speeds where the car delivers its worst performance. It's choppy, clunky with the gear changes and in start-stop bumper to bumper traffic (the very place where an auto justifies its place!) it's the worst. There is a rough shudder throughout the car, similar to a poorly used manual clutch at a speed prior to the car stalling, except the stall never comes and a tap on the brake abruptly ends it by activating start/stop - stopping the car instantly, jolting the body forward a bit. You can feel and see your passengers jolt forward every time. OR, upon the low rolling shudder, you put your foot down on the accelerator to continue, and after about a second of nothing it will jump into gear and roughly plough forward at speed. It feels like whatever you need it to do, you initiate, and then have to double down to get it to spring into action. I was always of the belief that a 'bad auto' was still better than changing gears, but I think now I agree with the owner criticisms and reviews when they insult auto gearboxes. That diesel Merc had probably one of the best auto gearboxes, barely felt it at any stage and it always was in the right position (seemingly). I've driven a relatives auto Mazda 6 which gets a fair bit of criticism, it's certainly a bit clunkier than the Merc was, but nothing like this. In summary, the engine / gears stop this car from what I'd call 'nice to live with'.
This is the highest spec 'Ultimate' model. I was utterly shocked to find it RRPs at £37,000+ as configured. It has every feature I can think of, with the exception of a glass sun/roof. Radar cruise control, heated steering wheels (heated seats and CarPlay!), that 'self driving' thing where you just need to keep your hands on the wheel every two minutes, power tailgate with the foot wave activation, digital dash, drive modes, 360 parking cam... nearly everything on a modern specced out car. On paper you'd think this is the real deal, an arguably stylish (by today's standards, not mine), well equipped, auto, safe, spacious car - but in reality the rough ride, poor refinement and clunky drive feel let it down. Interestingly, the very exact same grade / texture of cheap, scratchy plastic is everywhere below the shoulders in this cars interior, as in the 2004 Corsa C interior I drove after passing my test. The nicer stuff must be reserved for the Peugeot / Citroen variants.
When I looked up the cost, I was shocked as I pictured this would be mid / higher 20k mark - after all, the term 'SUV' aside, this is, a modern people carrier in effect. It leans around corners like a people carrier, it's got an absurdly high roof inside like a people carrier. I think the marketers have ran rings around us consumers by banishing the 'Zafiras' and 'Scenics' and styled it like a mini off roader come 'crossover', and they're marking up the price accordingly, have normalised 2wd as 'cost saving' and voila, we have the Grandland and it's competitors. All selling like hotcakes too! I wrote this off to being part of the inflation / gradual increase of cars both new and used over time. Especially in recent years. The insult to injury with this car (and cars like it) is that, you can buy a specced out Lexus UX crossover (with other fancy things like a heated steering wheel) for the same money. That's where I think buyers are getting shafted, arguably, if you just wanted features instead of a 'better badge' for the same cost, I'd understand the choice of the consumer to choose one or the other, but this car has a lot of poor qualities, the kind which will kick you every day you live with it, so to know a smoother, more reliable, faster car for the same price is out there - and probably a tonne of others from the usual big name brands.
If nothing else, I would say this just serves as a reminder that if any of you are considering a new car and you're solely going by price point, or solely going by a list of features you want, please, PLEASE take the time to test drive all of your options. Because to spend £37k on this experience is cruel. In the past I assumed that price point was a fairly rough guide on what to expect in that you can probably buy something equivalent from another make... if you bought a Alfa Romeo MiTo instead of a Fiat Punto, you probably could have chosen a higher spec Punto with more bells and whistles over an entry MiTo... or a used, high spec MiTo for the cost of the basic Punto. For every 'give' on one choice, there was a 'taken' feature or benefit. Seems like nowadays, there are options like draining your wallet like a premium car without giving you your full money's worth. If this car was priced like its badge one time would have suggested, as a value choice, I could forgive some of it's rough edges. I hope none of you end up in this situation (if you were to purchase something like this). It was a shock to me.
Final word on this, I think it reminds me what I admire about the Fiat's I owned. The word 'unassuming' or 'honest' is used a lot by people describing them. They are what they are. A lot of people expect much less from them, then they perform above expectation. I certainly had my doubts a decade ago about ever owning a Fiat only to be proven wrong and end up being somewhat of a fanatic over them. I think the opposite is true of the Grandland and many cars in this class, for sale today, I think a lot of hardworking people (or even old people, retired, looking for something to enjoy via Motability or whatever it is) will opt for a car like this, which promises everything on their wishlist only to be disappointed where 120+ years of automotive engineering has gotten us. And in case anybody is wondering (and made it this far)... motorcyclist drove into the back of my CT on Easter weekend (insurance agreed, not at fault) claims company sorted me out with this car whilst it's away. No injuries thankfully. I miss it already.
