The debut of the new GSe model as part of the launch of the new electrified brand will change the perception of the Opel Grandland as a vehicle for experienced drivers. Can a brand-new, all-wheel-drive, 300 horsepower plug-in hybrid version with a modified chassis produce genuine thrills?
As it stands, the Opel Grandland is no youngster. When the Grandland was completely upgraded in 2021, the X component of the name was eliminated, and it became Opel’s flagship SUV under the Grandland X moniker. The revised front-end design, which was more in line with the way Opels are currently styled, was the key component of that model update.
The GSe doesn’t undergo any significant stylistic modifications for its new, sportier specification due to the maturity of the old model. While we think many people will overlook Opel’s addition of 19-inch “Monza” alloy wheels and the polarising black bonnet, a homage to the company’s former performance models, the GSe will likely be mistaken for a car that has undergone a low-cost accident repair or wrap. The contrasted roof helps, but overall it all seems a little too overt for what is still a family SUV at its core.
Apart from the wheels and bonnet, the Grandland only has a little badge on the tailgate that identifies it as a GSe vehicle. Due to the plug-in hybrid battery and electric motor on the back axle, the 390-liter boot isn’t as big as the one on the conventional Grandland with a combustion engine. The Grandland GSe’s chassis modifications, which include a recalibration of the steering and new suspension using Koni components—more on that later—won’t be visible from the outside.
With how much Opel is doing to attempt to distinguish the GSe as a type of sub-brand, it is a bit disappointing that the interior’s design and feel are the same as that of other high-spec Grandland vehicles. Although the Alcantara upholstery on the performance seats is beautiful, the rest of the interior is a sea of black plastic.
The ‘Pure Panel’ dual-screen layout that the revised Grandland launched in 2021 is helpful, but like the exterior, it amounts to nothing more than rhinoplasty on a vehicle that otherwise has a dated appearance. The Grandland shares the same automatic gear selector as other brands thanks to its Stellantis ancestry, although even it is outdated by the standards of the group as many other models have switched to a smaller rocker toggle-style shifter.
The Grandland GSe, which is at the top of the list, has a high starting price of €59,995. The level of equipment is good, and you receive all the standard features, including comforts like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A Night Vision system that can identify animals and people in complete darkness is added to front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree video system, and other features—great if you live in a remote location without adequate lighting. There are various more driving aid features, such as adaptive cruise control and improved traffic sign recognition, along with Opel’s pixel matrix LED headlights, which illuminate the road ahead without blinding other drivers. There is also an integrated navigation system, but many people will probably use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay instead.
Although the price of the Opel Grandland GSe may put some people off, it’s important to consider how much equipment comes as standard. Nevertheless, you can also buy other, more expensive models for €60,000. Even if it’s unlikely that throngs of customers were begging Opel to make a model with greater performance in the first place and even though the Grandland doesn’t completely change after getting the GSe treatment, everything still functions satisfactorily.
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