Vauxhall has significantly lowered the entry barrier for its popular family SUV, the Grandland, by introducing a new entry-level trim called the Griffin. This move slashes the starting price by £5,135, positioning the vehicle as a more compelling option in a competitive market where value for money is increasingly critical.
The Griffin trim is not merely a stripped-down version of existing models; it is designed to offer better standard equipment than the outgoing Design specification, ensuring that buyers receive a premium experience without the premium price tag.
What Comes Standard with the Griffin?
The core appeal of the Griffin edition lies in its generous list of standard features, which blend comfort, technology, and aesthetics. Buyers receive:
- Premium Comfort: Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Notably, the 10-way adjustable driver’s seat is AGR-certified, a German seal of approval indicating it meets high standards for ergonomic back support.
- Visual Distinction: The car features 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch on the electric variant), a contrasting black roof, and tinted rear windows for a sportier profile.
- Tech Suite: Dual 10-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and Intelli-LED headlights.
- Driver Assistance: Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
Powertrain Options: Hybrid vs. Electric
The Grandland Griffin is available in two primary powertrain configurations: a mild-hybrid petrol engine and a pure-electric battery system. Both options are priced to undercut previous entry-level competitors.
1. The Mild-Hybrid Option
Starting at £31,495, the hybrid Griffin combines a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 28bhp electric motor.
* Performance: Total output is 143bhp, with a 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds.
* Efficiency: The system allows for short-distance driving on battery power alone, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Vauxhall estimates up to 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 123g/km.
* Best For: Drivers who want lower running costs than a traditional petrol car but do not want to deal with charging infrastructure or range anxiety.
2. The Electric Option
The electric Griffin starts at £34,495. Despite the higher starting price compared to the hybrid, it offers a substantial price reduction over previous electric trims.
* Performance: It boasts 210bhp and accelerates from 0-62mph in nine seconds.
* Range: The 73kWh battery provides a WLTP range of 322 miles.
* Charging: Fast charging from 10% to 80% takes approximately 30 minutes.
The “Electric All In” Value Add
To sweeten the deal for electric buyers, Vauxhall includes its ‘Electric All In’ package. This addresses two of the biggest hurdles for EV adoption: charging infrastructure and ownership peace of mind.
The package includes:
* £500 Charging Credit: This can be used toward an Ohme Pro home wallbox charger or a Kerbo Charge cross-pavement channel installation (ideal for those with on-street parking). Alternatively, the credit can be applied to public charging sessions within the Octopus Electroverse or Connected Kerb networks, including Tesco car parks.
* Roadside Assistance: Eight years of comprehensive cover, including emergency charging support.
* Free Energy: 10,000 miles of free home charging for buyers who switch to the Intelligent Octopus GO home energy tariff.
Market Context and Used Alternatives
While the new Griffin trim makes the Grandland more accessible, potential buyers should also consider the used market. Through services like Auto Express Buy A Car, used examples of the latest Grandland can be found for just over £21,000. This suggests that while the new model offers better value for money than its predecessor, the overall cost of ownership remains competitive across both new and used segments.
It is worth noting that higher-performance variants, such as the plug-in hybrid and the all-wheel-drive 320bhp electric model, are not available in Griffin trim. These require an upgrade to the GS specification, which starts at £38,565.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Vauxhall Grandland Griffin represents a strategic move to capture budget-conscious family buyers without compromising on core features. By bundling essential comfort and tech items into a lower-priced tier and adding significant incentives for electric owners, Vauxhall has made the Grandland a more formidable contender in the mid-size SUV segment.
