Vauxhall Grandland X review - Interior, design and technology

The Vauxhall Grandland X is a practical and well-built family SUV. However, alongside more stylish models (including the Peugeot 3008 on which is it based) it looks a bit drab – both inside and out.

The anonymous exterior design can be livened up by one of the firm’s brighter colours, but spec your Grandland X in white, silver or black and it’ll fade into the sea of urban crossovers found lining the UK’s city streets.

Those familiar with the Vauxhall Grandland X’s French sister car will notice a few common parts inside. The starter button is lifted unchanged from the 3008, while many of the warning lights on the dash are the same, too. But that’s where the similarities stop; the Peugeot’s sleek digital dials have been swapped for a set of plain analogue instruments, with limited functionality and a dull design.

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The main infotainment system is a match for the Peugeot’s set-up, however. There’s a handy row of buttons below the screen, while all the main functions are simple to operate. The climate controls sit low in the centre console, but are perfectly accessible and easy to adjust.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

Every Vauxhall Grandland X gets a colour touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, although the entry-level SE Premium features a slightly smaller screen. It’s slick enough and easy to use, with a simple menu set-up and plenty of hidden features. A DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB ports are also standard.

The SE Premium trim misses out on sat nav, but all other cars feature Vauxhall's Navi 5.0 IntelliLink system, as well as Vauxhall Connect which offers subscriptions to live traffic updates and road safety alerts.