New Vauxhall Crossland X driven
FIRST DRIVE Suv-inspired crossover replaces the Meriva in the range
IF you needed proof that the days of the conventional MPV are numbered, then the new Vauxhall Crossland X confirms it. The boxy Meriva is now dead, replaced by this more stylish Suv-inspired family car.
Vauxhall tells us that the Crossland X is a very important model for the brand, despite already having filled the small crossover segment with the established Mokka X. While that car is considered a ‘bold 4x4’, the front-wheel-drive Crossland X is a more functional car, targeted at young families with an active lifestyle.
The small SUV segment has exploded over the past few years, and accounts for more than eight per cent of all new sales. In 2010 it was less than one per cent. Here, we decipher whether the differences between the Mokka X and Crossland X are discernible as we test the new SUV for the first time.
This Crossland X is the first model to be launched since the announcement of PSA Peugeot Citroen’s intent to buy Vauxhall, although development began long before the news was made public earlier this year. The Crossland X sits on a modified version of the Peugeot 2008 platform, and it uses similar engines and gearboxes but with a totally unique cabin and different styling.
The extensive use of black body cladding raises the Crossland X’s profile, and gives the illusion of a taller, more purposeful design. Vauxhall’s blade-like LED daytime running lights give it a wide stance, while all models feature an Insignia Grand Sport-style grille.
Inside, you’re immediately taken by how bright and airy the Crossland X feels. There is loads of space up front, thanks to the steeply raked windscreen that stretches out beyond the large dashboard, while in the rear there’s enough head and legroom for even the tallest adults. It’s clearly been designed with practicality in mind, a trait also evident when you open the boot.
Chief designer Richard Shaw told us one of the ideas behind Crossland X was to offer “maximum interior space relative to the car’s external footprint”, and as standard, all models get a 410-litre load bay with the rear seats in place. That’s already 54 litres more than you’ll find in the Mokka X, but spec the £300 Versatility Pack and you’ll also be able to move the bench fore and aft to suit your needs. Our car didn’t feature this option, which also adds adjustable seat backs and a 40:20:40 split-fold function, but Vauxhall tells us it can boost cargo space by as much as 110 litres.
With all the seats folded flat, there’s not that much difference in maximum space between the Crossland X and Mokka (1,255 litres vs 1,372 litres), while a two-level boot floor further boosts practicality. Both cars are more practical than a Nissan Juke, but the similarly priced (yet bigger) SEAT Ateca boasts 1,604 litres as standard.
You’ll find handy functionality and storage solutions throughout the interior, including generously sized door pockets, a foldable driver’s armrest and two USB slots in the front. All cars come with a seven-inch infotainment screen that’s crystal clear and easy to use, and it’s packed with features from Apple Carplay to Android Auto, as well as Vauxhall’s innovative Onstar
“The Crossland X is a functional car, and is being targeted at young families”
services. Every Crossland X gets climate control, 16-inch alloys and cruise control, as well as those LED running lights, and a front camera system with lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. Buyers can step up from SE to SE Nav (adding satnav, of course) for £700, although the plethora of smartphone connectivity options means this isn’t really necessary.
Our Elite car brings the opportunity for true personalisation, and adds luxury features such as tinted glass, bigger wheels and lashings of chrome. Buyers can also specify a contrasting roof and door mirrors (in black, grey or white) at no extra cost. Options include a panoramic roof, keyless start and wireless phone charging.
The interior, while well built, doesn’t have the tactile plastics you’ll find in a similarly priced Astra, but it’s smart and moves things on from the Mokka X’s button-biased set-up. Visibility is good on the whole, although that sloping windscreen makes it hard to see the end of the bonnet, which could make parking a little tricky on cars without front sensors. It’s not such a problem out the back, thanks to the large glass area and short overhangs, although our car did come with an optional (£285) reversing camera. If your budget will stretch, it’s a box worth ticking.
But with most new Vauxhalls garnering rave reviews when it comes to handling and dynamics, we were intrigued to see how the new Crossland X stacks up against key rivals on the road. While it can challenge a Citroen C4 Cactus for space and standard kit, the driving experience is slightly less inspiring.
It seems inheriting a PSA platform hasn’t given Vauxhall’s experienced engineers such freedom to tune it to their tastes – resulting in light and lifeless steering and a soft body that suffers both in town and on the open road. Vauxhall says it’s more crossover than SUV, so unlike the Mokka X, four-wheel drive isn’t even an option.
While a raised ride height usually provides a more cushioned ride, the Crossland X’s suspension can’t react fast enough to sharp jolts around town, sending reverberations through the chassis and cabin. It works better on the motorway and
over larger undulations, but show it a corner and the body will lean under heavy loads. The Peugeot 2008 on which it’s based feels keener to respond, and while it’s no better or worse than a Mokka X, the well resolved Astra and Insignia Grand Sport meant we expected more from Vauxhall’s latest SUV.
Engines range from a naturally aspirated 1.2, through a pair of diesels and two turbo petrols. On SE cars, the step from the base unit to the 108bhp turbo is £1,320; spread over three or four years on a PCP or lease deal this will be well worth the extra. But it’s worth noting that the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 boast lower entry-level list prices as well as a variety of specs and drivetrains.
We tried the 128bhp Crossland X rangetopper with the 1.2 three-cylinder turbo petrol. It proved punchy and refined, taking just 9.1 seconds to hit 0-62mph. It rarely gets bogged down, serving up plenty of power through the revs, and while it rattles a little on start up, it settles at high speed.
There’s very little wind noise around the A-pillars and road noise is kept to a minimum, too, making it a relaxing car to drive long distances. In fact, during a four-hour trip to Staffordshire, the Crossland X’s supportive front seats left us with very little in the way of driver discomfort or fatigue.
Our car should return a claimed 55.4mpg, and emit 116g/km versus the lower-powered turbo’s 57.6mpg and 111g/km. Given that Vauxhall predicts 65 per cent of cars will go to retail customers, those higher CO2 emissions won’t affect how much you pay in road tax, however. Business users are split by just one Benefit in Kind (BIK) band, and while the two diesels will certainly use less fuel, they still remain subject to a three per cent surcharge – putting them on par with the petrols for company car tax rates.