Opel Grandland GSe review

Pros: better performance, ride and handling, high standard spec  

Cons: high price, bland interior

How do you differentiate performance models in the era of electrification? For Opel, it is putting a fresh slant on an old name with the revival of the GSe moniker. These days it stands for Grand Sport electric, and alongside the new Astra GSe, Opel has also created the Grandland GSe. This plug-in hybrid SUV gets two electric motors and a petrol engine to create a 300hp all-wheel-drive powertrain. 

Opel Grandland GSe Design  

The Grandland is in the latter stages of its model life, so Opel’s designers haven’t done much to alter its appearance in GSe guise. Rather than splash out on a whole other sporty body kit, the Grandland GSe just wears a black roof and bonnet, a look that will divide opinion. Its 19-inch wheels, influenced by the one-off Manta GSe Elektromod concept car, look good, using gloss black and machined surfaces with an aerodynamically optimised design. 

The GSe treatment, which includes greater use of gloss black paint to alter the car’s appearance, is quite effective. Unlike other Grandland models, the GSe doesn’t wear contrasting wheel arches and sills for a more rugged look. Instead, these are painted to match the rest of the bodywork, resulting in a different image that makes it appear lower to the ground.

Opel Grandland GSe Interior  

You don’t get much in the way of GSe reminders inside the cabin of the Grandland, however. The only noticeable element is the sports seats that carry the GSe logo and feature a nice suede-like insert and contrasting white stitching. It’s a pity that the rest of the cabin is no different to that of other Grandland models; even the fully digital dashboard is unchanged. Opel’s ‘Pure Panel’ design does look snazzy, though, with two screens held within a single piece. 

The native infotainment system is a simple affair and includes some screens dedicated to the plug-in hybrid system, along with the presence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We also like the retention of physical buttons and controls for functions such as the heated seats and cabin temperature. The steering wheel is not festooned with buttons, either. However, this, and most of the front of the cabin design, is too much on the bland side. It’s a sea of varying black plastics that don’t make it feel very special. 

Opel Grandland GSe Performance & Drive  

With a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors — one on each axle — the Grandland GSe has maximum outputs of 300hp and 520Nm. That’s respectable without being outrageous, and its 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds ensures it feels brisk. The battery is a 14.2kWh item that can provide as much as 63 kilometres of electric driving officially, though expect that figure to drop a little in the real world. If you so wish, the Opel can drive at motorway speeds using only its electric motors, though this will impact the overall electric range of course. Still, the ability to recharge the battery in as little as two hours means this is one PHEV that will make sense for some people. 

In typical everyday driving, the Grandland GSe doesn’t feel all that different to other Grandlands; nor does it seem more potent unless you put your foot all the way down. That makes it a pretty usable car, though it is equipped to handle more performance as soon as you request it. Other GSe modifications include revisions to the suspension setup, specifically new Koni dampers. These work quite well and enhance the car’s handling rather than simply making the ride seem stiffer. 

Despite its weight of 1,867kg, the Opel holds its line through corners nicely and does a decent job of remaining composed even during more spirited driving. The steering weights up progressively, and you always feel very much in control, helped by good levels of feedback through the wheel. With Sport mode selected, the energy recuperation is strong, helping to ensure the battery retains sufficient charge to power those electric motors.

Opel Grandland GSe Pricing 

With a starting price of €59,995, the Grandland GSe is one of the most expensive models in the Opel range. It is well equipped, but that should be expected for such a price. Among the spec list are heated front seats, a 360-degree camera system with front and rear parking sensors, a night vision system that can detect animals and people in complete darkness and a host of other driver assistance features.

Carzone Verdict: 2/5 

The Grandland GSe isn’t ever going to be a car you buy with your head, primarily because of its price. Yes, it does come with plenty of equipment, and the performance and chassis upgrades are decent, but for the same money there are many more interesting cars for sale. It doesn’t help that Opel hasn’t done much to visually separate this car from the rest of the Grandland range, as it deserves more than a bit of black paint and a GSe badge on the seats.