Vauxhall Crossland review: Vauxhall’s more practical small SUV
The Crossland SUV offers good family practicality, but isn't as sharp to drive or efficient as some rivals
The Vauxhall Crossland is a spacious, practical and economical family car that offers loads more style and desirability thanks to a thorough midlife overhaul in 2020. It can't quite match the striking looks of its smaller Mokka sibling, but the practical Crossland has added a smart, sporty edge that fits well with modern family life.
Updates to the Crossland's steering and suspension set-up are welcome, as are some trim upgrades, but Vauxhall’s small SUV has been left behind by key rivals that have embraced hybrid technology in the pursuit of higher fuel economy.
About the Vauxhall Crossland
The Crossland isn't so much a bold 4x4, but more of a functional model aimed at young families with an active lifestyle. It sits somewhere between the mid-size Grandland and more compact Mokka SUVs in Vauxhall's line-up, with rivals in the small SUV market spanning far and wide.
For starters, there's the Citroen C3 Aircross on which the Crossland is based, the hugely successful Nissan Juke, the fun-to-drive Ford Puma and our Small SUV of the Year for 2023, the Hyundai Kona. Other models you should consider in this segment include the Renault Captur, Toyota Yaris Cross and the Kia Niro. The Volkswagen T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq also have the Crossland in their crosshairs.
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Unlike the majority of its rivals, which now offer or even come with hybrid technology as standard, the Crossland is available exclusively with a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
The Crossland was initially offered with a wide range of trims and personalisation options to allow buyers to customise it to their tastes. The entry-level SE trim was followed by SE Nav Premium, SRi Nav, Elite, Elite Nav and the top-of-the-range Ultimate Nav. This lineup proved a bit confusing, though, so Vauxhall simplified the selection in 2022. The current range now consists of Design, GS and Ultimate.
Entry-level Design models are reasonably equipped with automatic LED headlights and wipers , cruise control, air-conditioning and a seven-inch touchscreen media system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto all included as standard.
Moving up to the mid-range GS trim adds automatic levelling-headlights with high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a larger eight-inch media system. A range of extra safety tech is also included from this point in the range, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection and forward collision alert.
The range-topping Ultimate specification brings even more extra kit, including advanced park assist, keyless entry and start, and heated seats. The interior is also tweaked with Alcantara, which makes the Crossland feel more upmarket.
For an alternative review of the Vauxhall Crossland, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...
