The Vauxhall Grandland I Facelift (known as the Opel Grandland in continental Europe) loses its "X" suffix during its mid-life facelift in 2021. Based on the Stellantis EMP2 platform (shared with the Peugeot 3008 II), it adopts the brand's new visual identity with the "Vauxhall Vizor" grille and modernizes its interior with the "Pure Panel" (dual digital screen). It is a comfortable and rational compact SUV, but its overall reliability is heavily burdened by the PSA (Stellantis) internal combustion engines, notably the 1.2 petrol (wet belt) and the 1.5 diesel (camshaft chain). The late introduction of the 1.2 MHEV with a timing chain brings a breath of fresh air at the end of its career.
The facelifted Vauxhall Grandland is an SUV full of objective qualities (comfort, design, roominess), but it is undermined by the congenital flaws of the Stellantis engines of this era. Buying a 1.2 Turbo 130 hp (wet belt) or a 1.5 Diesel 130 hp (7 mm chain) is akin to a mechanical lottery, unless the definitive fixes have already been applied and invoiced. The PHEV versions are more recommendable but are targeted by a critical recall on the battery. The only truly serene choice is the recent 1.2 Turbo MHEV 136 hp, which finally benefits from a reliable timing chain.