Opel has launched the new Grandland in South Africa at a starting price of R599,900.
The SUV is positioned as the flagship of the automaker’s local stable, with a sticker tag that puts it in competition with another German brand, Volkswagen, and the popular Tiguan series, where the 1.4TSI model retails from R606,700.
We put these two cars side by side to see whether Opel’s new model has what it takes to stand out compared to VW’s best-selling SUV.
Engines
The Grandland gets its power from a 1.6-litre, turbocharged petrol engine which generates 121kW and 240Nm.
All three models are front-wheel drive and use a six-speed automatic gearbox, which gives them an average fuel consumption return of 7.0l/100km.
The comparable Tiguan, meanwhile, is powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol drivetrain with 110kW and 250Nm.
Like its competitor, the VW is front-wheel drive with a six-speed auto-box, though it does have a slightly higher consumption of 7.7l/100km.
The Tiguan can also reach 100km/h in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h, while Opel hasn’t revealed the performance figures for its competitor.
Features
Both the Opel and VW are available in three trim levels and come with the following equipment as standard: automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, automatic climate control, a leather multifunction steering wheel, hill assist, cruise control, a speed limiter, and an infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In terms of where they differ, the base Grandland is equipped with keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors, a 7-inch media screen, a 7-inch digital driver display, and dual-zone climate control, while the Tiguan has an 8-inch entertainment system, paddle shifters, driver alert monitoring, and three-zone climate control.
Upgrading to the top-end Opel will then add a rearview camera, a wireless charger, Alcantara/suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support, ambient lighting, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, an electric tailgate, and IntelliLux Pixel adaptive headlights.
In contrast, the higher-spec VW includes front and rear parking sensors, heated Vienna leather sports seats with lumbar support, Matrix LED headlights, an electric tailgate, and ambient lighting.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Opel Grandland 1.6T is as follows:
- Opel Grandland 1.6T – R599,900
- Opel Grandland 1.6T GS Line – R679,900
- Opel Grandland 1.6T Ultimate – R720,900
This includes a 5-year/100,000km warranty, service plan, and roadside assistance plan.
The local pricing for the VW Tiguan 1.4TSI is as follows:
- VW Tiguan 1.4TSI – R606,700
- VW Tiguan 1.4TSI Life – R677,900
- VW Tiguan 1.4TSI R-Line – R744,000
Each purchase comes with a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.
Opel Grandland
VW Tiguan
Keyword: New Opel Grandland vs VW Tiguan – Which offers better value for money