JOHANNESBURG – Opel’s new generation Grandland SUV has been officially introduced to the Southern African market, promising a more muscular drive and a dramatic styling shift that distances it from its predecessor.
Unveiled on Wednesday, 9 July, at a regional launch held around Montecasino and Kyalami in Johannesburg, the revamped Grandland is Opel’s latest flagship under Stellantis South Africa. It follows the compact Mokka as the second local model to feature the brand’s Bold and Pure design language. But while the Mokka keeps a more reserved profile, the new Grandland pushes a more confident, assertive presence on the road.
Only one version of the SUV has been made available at launch – the GS Line – with more variants expected in future. For now, it sits as the third member in Opel’s SUV family alongside the Mokka and Crossland.
The vehicle now rides on Stellantis’s STLA Medium platform and has grown in every direction. It now measures 4,650 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width and 1,655 mm in height. The boot has also expanded from 514 to 550 litres, although rear-folded capacity has dipped slightly.
Design-wise, the Grandland shows off Opel’s latest Vizor grille, complete with an illuminated OPEL logo at the back – replacing the traditional badge. Sportier bumpers, sleek door sills, 19-inch alloy wheels, and five new exterior colours, including Grafik Grey and Deep Sea Green, form part of the sharper look.
Inside, the SUV debuts Opel’s “detox” cabin concept. Most buttons have been absorbed into a massive 16-inch infotainment screen, while a 10-inch digital cluster has been embedded into the dash. Features like wireless charging, a new Pixel Box storage system, fabric upholstery made from recycled materials, and a redesigned floating centre console further modernise the interior.
For Eswatini buyers who may be considering options in the midsize SUV market, the Grandland now comes stacked with a suite of premium features: matrix LED headlights, ambient lighting, heated seats (including the rear), massage functions, and a head-up display.
Safety hasn’t been left behind. It packs adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree camera views, and traffic sign recognition, among others.
Under the hood, Opel stuck with a petrol-powered 1.6-litre turbo engine, tuned to 134kW and 300Nm – up from the previous 121kW/240Nm. It pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and finally gets paddle shifters for a more engaging drive. While electric drive capability is supported by the platform, this version avoids the hybrid route seen in Europe.
Although initial drives around Kyalami show improved handling thanks to frequency selective dampers and revised steering, low-end torque remains modest until the revs build. Still, the overall driving feel is smoother and more stable than before.
The new Opel Grandland is priced at R789,900 and includes a five-year/100,000 km warranty and a five-year/90,000 km service plan. Locally, it’s expected to face stiff competition from familiar names like Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai – and a growing Chinese presence from GWM and Chery.
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