2025 Opel Grandland Plug-in Hybrid - Fully Electrified Drivetrain Portfolio

The mid-size SUV segment is arguably the most fiercely contested battleground in the European automotive market, and Opel has thrown down the gauntlet with the completely redesigned 2025 Grandland. Moving past the outgoing model, this new generation signals a bold, confident step forward, particularly in its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) configuration. Built on the highly versatile Stellantis STLA Medium platform, the 2025 Grandland PHEV promises not just style and space, but class-leading electric range and cutting-edge technology. The question is: in a field dominated by the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, and Peugeot $3008, can the German newcomer carve out its own space? Based on its impressive specifications and real-world intentions, the answer is a resounding yes.

A Bold, Enlarged Design Language

The exterior of the 2025 Grandland is a dramatic departure from its predecessor, adopting the brand’s “Bold and Pure” design philosophy seen in the Experimental concept car. The most immediate and striking change is the size. The new Grandland has swollen significantly, measuring $4,650 in length a considerable increase of $173. It is also wider and taller, giving it a much more substantial and confident road presence, enhanced by the available $19$-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive two-tone floating roof design on higher trims.

At the front, the iconic Opel Vizor grille has been reimagined. It’s no longer a simple black strip but a bold, translucent panel housing both the subtle LED daytime running lights and an illuminated Opel Blitz badge. Flanking this Vizor is Opel’s industry-leading Intelli-Lux HD Light technology. This system incorporates over $50,000 individual pixel elements, allowing for extremely precise, glare-free high-beam functionality that dynamically adapts to traffic conditions a technology typically reserved for premium segments. The illuminated OPEL lettering stamped across the rear tailgate completes the futuristic, clean aesthetic, ensuring the Grandland stands out day or night. The overall impression is one of quiet, handsome confidence that manages to look sophisticated without resorting to overly aggressive lines.

The Digital Detox: Interior, Space, and Comfort

If the exterior is a design statement, the interior is a masterclass in ergonomic comfort and refined technology, which Opel calls the "Pure Panel Cockpit." Thanks to the longer wheelbase of $2,784\ \text{mm}$, the cabin experience is noticeably more spacious, particularly for rear passengers who benefit from an extra $20\ \text{mm}$ of legroom.

The dashboard layout perfectly balances digital sophistication with physical usability. While it features a minimalist, driver-oriented design, Opel wisely retained a few key physical buttons for frequently used functions like climate control. The main attraction is the central infotainment screen, which can stretch up to a massive $16$ inches on top-spec GS models. This high-resolution display offers clear graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and, intriguingly, includes built-in generative $\text{AI}$ (ChatGPT) functionality.

However, the real highlight of the Grandland's cabin is the seating. Opel continues its partnership with the German health organisation AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.), meaning the front seats are certified for promoting back health. On luxury trims, these seats offer heating, ventilation, and even a massage function, delivering comfort that rivals SUVs a class above. Practicality is also high, with boot space measuring $550$ liters, expanding to a generous $1,645$ liters with the rear seats folded in a flexible $40:20:40$ split. Furthermore, clever storage solutions abound, including a two-tier center console and the innovative "Pixel Box" housing for wireless charging and small items. The emphasis on high-quality, soft-touch materials, including fabric inserts, significantly elevates the perceived quality, addressing a common criticism of previous Opel interiors.

The Plug-in Drivetrain: Power and Efficiency

The heart of the 2025 Grandland Plug-in Hybrid is a highly re-engineered Stellantis powertrain. It pairs a turbocharged $1.6$-litre petrol engine with a powerful $92\ \text{kW}$ electric motor. This combination delivers a healthy system output of $143\ \text{kW}$ ($195\ \text{hp}$) and a robust $350\ \text{Nm}$ of maximum torque, sent to the front wheels via a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Performance is brisk and perfectly adequate for a family $\text{SUV}$. The $0-100\ \text{km/h}$ sprint is dispatched in a claimed $7.8$ seconds, making it the quickest in the Grandland lineup. Crucially, the system is tuned for smooth, integrated operation. Unlike some hybrids, the electric motor provides instant torque for launch and low-speed manoeuvring, resulting in a refined and responsive feel around town. When the engine does kick in, the new powertrain design, which includes a variable-geometry turbocharger, ensures impressive efficiency even on longer hauls.

Class-Leading Electric Range and Rapid Charging

Where the Grandland PHEV truly shines against its competitors is its electrification credentials. Equipped with a substantial $17.9\ \text{kWh}$ lithium-ion battery pack, the 2025 Grandland achieves an official WLTP all-electric range of up to $87\ \text{km}$. This is a significant figure in the $\text{SUV}$ segment and translates directly into a higher proportion of daily commutes and errands being completed entirely on electric power, drastically reducing running costs and local emissions.

This impressive $\text{EV}$ range is complemented by strong charging capabilities. Unlike some rivals that limit charging speed, the Grandland PHEV is equipped to handle DC fast charging. This is a game-changer for a plug-in hybrid, allowing the battery to replenish up to $80\%$ capacity in under $30$ minutes at a public fast charger. For owners without home wall boxes, this flexibility makes topping up quick errands practical. Even with a fully depleted battery, the combustion engine is highly efficient, quoting fuel consumption around $6.8\ \text{L}/100\ \text{km}$. When combining a full tank and a full charge, Opel confidently claims a total possible driving range well in excess of $900\ \text{km}$, providing true long-distance capability and eliminating range anxiety.

Driving Dynamics: Prioritizing Comfort

In terms of driving dynamics, the Grandland doesn't aim to be a sports car; it aims to be a supremely comfortable one. While some reviewers noted the steering lacks the ultimate feel and feedback of segment benchmarks, the chassis setup is clearly focused on occupant comfort.

The Grandland utilizes advanced frequency-selective damping ($\text{FSD}$) technology. This system intelligently adjusts the dampers based on the road frequency, providing a soft, absorbent ride over bumpy city streets and cobblestones, yet firming up slightly for better composure and stability during higher-speed cornering. This focus on comfort makes the Grandland an exceptionally refined long-distance cruiser, scoring high marks for reduced cabin noise and a relaxed driving experience. It’s a car designed to transport a family in comfort, a goal it achieves admirably.

Verdict

The 2025 Opel Grandland Plug-in Hybrid is a highly competitive and compelling package. It addresses virtually every shortcoming of the previous generation while vaulting ahead in key areas like electrification and technology. It may not possess the polarizing flair of its Peugeot stablemate, the $3008$, but its German design—bold yet understated—is sophisticated, and its interior comfort and technology are genuinely top-tier.

Starting at prices around $\text{€}40,150$ for the PHEV variant, it positions itself right in the heart of the C-SUV segment, offering features like AGR-certified seats, a $16$-inch screen, and advanced pixel lighting that often require a premium outlay elsewhere.

Its true ace is the exceptional electric range and DC fast-charging capability, which drastically enhances its usability and efficiency. For buyers seeking a spacious, comfortable, and practical family $\text{SUV}$ that can genuinely handle a significant portion of daily driving purely on electric power, the 2025 Opel Grandland PHEV is not just an alternative—it’s a frontrunner setting a new standard for the segment.