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Vauxhall Grandland Electric review: There’s nothing wrong with a ham sandwich

August 15, 2025 George East

Vauxhall gets a hard time for being one of the EV world’s less exciting brands, but as the Grandland Electric proves, much can be said for going back to basics.

Head to most UK supermarkets today, and you’ll be faced with a raft of “hand-made” or “*insert region here* grown products”. The same can be said for the car world.

A “coupé SUV” is another synonym for crossover, and ‘sport’ mode has as much in common as I do with an bi-athlete. Or a pig. In short, it’s all nonsense and we should frankly stop it.

Yet the latest Vauxhall Grandland Electric (not to be confused with the first-generation Grandland, which was horrid) is a simple, much-needed antidote to a glut of regular daily drivers supposedly “inspired by our motorsport heritage” and sandwiches that have been “individually crafted”.

Don’t get me wrong. The Vauxhall Grandland Electric isn’t exactly poster material – after all, it’s based on the same Stellantis STLA-medium platform as the Peugeot e-3008, the Peugeot e-5008, the Citroen C5 Aircross, and the Jeep Compass. I am, however, convinced that the Grandland Electric makes for a more honest proposition than any of its stablemates.

Hear me out…

Vauxhall Grandland Electric design, interior and technology

Unlike either of the electric Peugeots, the Vauxhall Grandland adopts a far less fussy approach to design. I admire the slashy, angular looks of the e-3008 and e-5008, but I can see why their aesthetic could be perceived as at best “a bit much” and at worst “pretentious”.

Instead, the Vauxhall takes a more restrained-yet-purposeful approach to things. Our test car, the top-tier Ultimate trim rides on a set of five-spoke, 20-inch, diamond-cut alloys, which only add to the car’s no-nonsense look. While the Impact Copper paint is a £650 option, it’s by far the best colour for the Grandland Electric, and it contrasts tastefully with the black elements on the car’s lower body.

The slim running lights and the new, light-up “3D Visor” front end with its massive, illuminated Vauxhall Griffin largely add to the Grandland’s smart appearance. Personally, I’m a fan of the twinkly face, as I fall into a not-so-vocal minority who appreciate the last-gen Skoda Elroq’s ‘Crystal Face’. I can see why you’d not share my sentiments, though.

Returning to the Grandland, and the back is very much similar business. For reasons I still haven’t quite figured out, the Vauxhall wording between the equally-thin rear brake lights is extremely appealing.

vauxhall grandland rear badge close-up — Most of the design is basic but there are a few flourishes

On looks alone, then, were the Grandland Electric decked out in Volkswagen ID. or Audi e-tron badging, it would sell like hot cakes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, so the Grandland doesn’t even make it onto the list of the UK’s 10 best-selling EVs.

Step into the Grandland, and things are very much similar affair to what’s going on outside. The 16-inch infotainment display is angled towards the driver who gets their own 10-inch instrument display, and there are some physical toggle switches to increase and decrease cabin temperature along with fan speed. Thank you, Vauxhall. In terms of layout, it’s more traditional and less daring than the Peugeot, but it’s certainly not unattractive.

Like I’ve said before and I’ll say again, both the e-3008 and e-5008 have two of the best-built cabins I have come across so far in 2025. This isn’t “for the price”, they just are. The Grandland Electric is no different. See comment above about VW or Audi badging. A plus point in the Vauxhall’s favour that was a single touchscreen function to switch off all of the ADAS functions.

A negative was the fact the DAB radio managed to get stuck on GB News. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay was on hand to serve as a much-welcome, and fast-working backup to the perpetual droning on about “foreigners”.

Vauxhall Grandland Electric interior — The Grandland’s interior is simple and user-friendly

Vauxhall Grandland Electric battery, motor and performance

The Vauxhall Grandland Electric gets the same 73kWh battery and 210bhp power output as the single-motor e-3008 and e-5008. In a recent review for the former, I described its peformance as “emphysymatic”. Such criticism isn’t levelled at the Grandland, because it doesn’t even bother laying claim to any sporty credentials with “fastback” styling.

Unsurprisingly, the Grandland isn’t what you’d call an engaging drive. If you needed a reminder as to why, the 0-62mph run is covered in nine seconds, and the 2.2-tonne Vauxhall tops out at 105mph. Again, I have no problem with this because it’s a family SUV made by Vauxhall.

In terms of keeping passengers comfortable, the 20-inch wheels have little-to-no effect on comfort, at least I didn’t think so. While being hassled by a man wearing Oakley sunglasses in an iX3, the Vauxhall also kept the BMW more than honest without making me turning pasty-faced.

Irresepctive of Eco, Normal, or Sport driving mode, the Grandland soaked up North West England’s Donbass-esque roads with very little fuss, which is pretty much how I feel about the car in general – largely fuss free.

Vauxhall quotes the Grandland Electric as returning a WLTP range of 325 miles. I found this in the real world this to be around 250 miles with a consumption rate of 3.4 miles per kilowatt hour. Not class-leading, but fine. The 160kW charging capability means you’ll be able to charge from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes.

Vauxhall Grandland Electric price and specification

Here’s the Grandland Electric’s trump card. The top-spec Ultimate trim will set you backjust £37,895. As part of the package, Vauxhall has included the following: a premium sound system from Focal, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel and seats, a heads-up display, plus front and rear parking sensors with a 360-degree camera.

The standard toys don’t stop there, either. Vauxhall also throws in a heat pump to ensure maximum efficiency during the colder, winter months, a panoramic glass roof, and an electric tailgate. Don’t forget that the Grandland – along with the rest of the brand’s all-electric range – qualifies for the UK Government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant.

If, for some reason, you want a Grandland Electric but don’t fancy the range-topping Ultimate, there are also the mid-tier GS and entry-level Design models to choose from. However you view the Grandland Electric, there are very few brand new EVs that come close to beating to beating it as a value proposition-focused family SUV.

If you want to go any cheaper, you’ll start venturing into Skywell BE11 territory – a place where both EV Powered Editor Matt and I would suggest you avoid. Strongly. With bells on.

Vauxhall Grandland Electric motor verdict

I like the Grandland because of its honesty. Vauxhall hasn’t made any big proclamations about the car, and it quietly gets on with being an extremely affordable and capable electric family SUV.

Referring back to sandwiches, think of it like this: The Vauxhall Grandland Electric is a ham and pickle roll. Solid. Reliable. Unremarkable. The e-3008 Single Motor, meanwhile, is a ‘jambon beurre’ – ostensibly the same thing, but the ham is paired up with some cornichons inside a baguette.

Given the former sando’s lack of pretentions, I know which one I prefer. The same goes for both cars.