RAY MASSEY: It's a Grand day out for Vauxhall's spacious new SUV
To be fair, I haven't tried the kitchen sink yet, but over hundreds of miles of driving, I've had a good go at squeezing a whole assortment of items into the new Vauxhall Grandland SUV.
That includes: supermarket shops, potted shrubs and bags of top soil, compost and bark-chipping, plenty of luggage, golf clubs and trolley, DIY kit from B&Q, and even an Ikea 'Billy' bookshelf – the ultimate test.
But it's not just the flexible boot and folding-down rear seats that are a boon in this comfortable five-seater family vehicle. With its contemporary styling, black roof and tinted rear windows, it looks cool, too. This SUV will grow on you, as it did me.
Riding on 19-inch wheels, my 136 horsepower Grandland GS hybrid was powered by a 1.2 litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, connected to a 21kW (28hp) electric motor. The GS trim is the middle of three levels between Design and Ultimate.
For everyday use, I kept mine in Sport mode – which was jauntier than the other two options of Eco and Normal. With an acceleration from rest to 62mph in 10.2 seconds, and a top speed of 126mph, it achieves a decent lick on faster roads and for cruising long distances on motorways.
It's frugal, too: it will start with well over 500 miles of range on a full tank. But generating additional electric power on the move means that it also does more than 50 miles to the gallon. It's surprisingly nimble, too.
While the range starts from £34,755, as driven, my SUV was priced at £37,350 – including £700 for the spectrum blue paint.
You can shop around for finance deals and offers and, after a deposit, you could be paying as little as a few hundred pounds a month.
I must admit that when, in Germany last autumn, I first tried out the more powerful 213hp battery-powered Grandland Electric (0 to 62mph in nine seconds and a range of 325 miles) along with the petrol hybrid version, I found the latter a bit underpowered. But having lived with the hybrid for a while on UK roads, I've grown to enjoy its virtues.
The folding down rear seats increase load-lugging capacity in the boot from 550 to 1,645 litres
Vauxhall may not be the most fashionable of badges, but with plenty of interior space, the sharp, modern face and uncluttered lines of the new Grandland won't disgrace anyone's driveway.
The folding down rear seats increase load-lugging capacity in the boot from 550 to 1,645 litres.
The shallow V-shaped grille and 'vizor' lights and illuminated Griffin badge and illuminated Vauxhall name on the rear hatch adds to a tidy package.
This month Vauxhall launched the new range-topping 325hp Grandland Electric AWD, its first fully electric car with all-wheel drive, which accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 6.1 seconds and has a range of 311 miles. It goes on sale in early Autumn priced from around £43,000.
Howay the Leafs!
As Sunderland climbs back into football's Premier League alongside rivals Newcastle, Nissan has unveiled its third generation Leaf electric compact SUV at its factory in the north-eastern city.
In a vote of confidence in Britain as Nissan makes global cuts, the sportier- looking model will be built at the Sunderland plant with its 6,000-strong workforce.
Vote of confidence: Nissan has unveiled its third generation Leaf electric compact SUV
Just over five inches shorter but slightly higher and wider than the outgoing model, this new Leaf crossover has sharper looks, up-to-date tech and promises plenty of interior space.
It accelerates to 62mph in 7.6 seconds, and Nissan say it can cruise for 200 miles at 80mph (where legal). Two battery options (52kWh and 75kWh) give ranges of 270 miles and 375 miles respectively – the latter getting you from London to the Scottish Borders.
Orders begin in autumn ahead of spring deliveries. Expect prices to start from just under £30,000.
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