Vauxhall Crossland X
FIRST UK DRIVE Is entry-level diesel a better bet than petrol power?
THE Crossland X is the latest addition to Vauxhall’s expanding line-up of SUV models, and is touted as a more versatile alternative to the Mokka X. We’ve already driven the top-spec petrol car (Issue 1,473), but does a diesel version make more sense?
Those looking to maximise efficiency will naturally turn to one of the two stop/start diesels. There’s a pair of 1.6-litre fourcylinder units to choose from, with either 98bhp or 118bhp – and it’s the lowerpowered car we drive here for the first time.
On paper, this 1.6-litre ecotec diesel can do 0-62mph in 12 seconds exactly and hit a top speed of 112mph. The 98bhp engine records a decent torque figure, with 254Nm available at just 1,750rpm.
The engine finds its way into the Crossland X as a result of the recent PSA Group buyout. It’s the same 1,560cc unit used across the Peugeot, Citroen and DS line-ups. It develops more torque than any of the petrol options, and feels convincingly fast at low revs. But above 3,000rpm, that torque disappears, exposing the engine’s low overall power output.
Rev it beyond the narrow torque band and it’s not the most refined engine. Combined with a five-speed gearbox, it means the 98bhp diesel isn’t as well suited to long motorway journeys as the higher-powered motor, which gets a six-speed box instead.
Vauxhall claims that this car is capable of 76.3mpg (the 118bhp unit promises 70.3mpg), making it the most frugal version. It’s also the cleanest for CO2 emissions; our test car in range-topping Elite trim manages 95g/km of CO2 – and on the 16-inch wheels fitted to SE and Tech Line Nav cars, it drops to 93g/km. For company car drivers, those smaller wheels see the Benefit in Kind (BIK) band fall by one per cent, but the 20 per cent rate only places it on par with the cheapest turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.2 turbo is cheaper for private buyers and it’s more powerful, too. And with the new VED band changes, there’s no tax advantage to be gained with the sub-100g/km CO2 figure. Regardless of which engine you go for, all Crossland X models offer a big, bright cabin with room for five and their luggage. There’s loads of space up front, plus impressive head and legroom in the rear.