Vauxhall Grandland Electric long-term test: report 3
Our sub-editor needs a comfortable, practical car for a lengthy commute and active weekends. We're finding out if Vauxhall's electric flagship can go the distance...
The car Vauxhall Grandland Electric Ultimate Run by Chris Haining, sub-editor
Why it’s here To find out what Vauxhall's electric family SUV has to offer in what is a highly competitive class
Needs to be comfy and relaxing on a long motorway commute; economical to run; offer the practicality an action-packed life demands
Mileage 2386 List price £39,995 Best Price £39,995 Price as tested £40,645 Official range 322 miles Test range 268 miles
20 September 2025 – Home on the range
It's always with considerable caution that I approach my initial commute in a new electric car, and it was thus when I subjected my Vauxhall Grandland Electric to its first experience of my regular 234-mile round trip.
I disconnected my trusty Indra SmartPro home charger and packed the cable diligently away (there's plenty of room for it in a compartment beneath the Grandland’s boot floor).
I then got in, found the power button (just to the left of the steering wheel) and watched the dashboard light up, before making sure that Eco mode was engaged (via the toggle switch on the centre console) and the air-con switched off. In my head I'm like Ken Mattingly in the Apollo 13 space craft simulator, trying to find that final amp in the electrical circuitry so the mission can be completed.
Still, with an indicated 323 miles of potential range glowing on the dashboard, I was reasonably confident of a fuss-free round trip. In fact, when I engaged Eco, that figure increased to 329 miles.
Nevertheless, I've been stung before by overly optimistic range readouts; the Lexus RZ I ran a few years ago fell well short of making good on its range promises, forcing me to stop at South Mimms services for a top-up on my way home. And that's the last thing I'd want to do.
So I drove gingerly in the Grandland, generally cruising at 65mph with the occasional step up to the legal limit when passing lorries. Given the unpredictable nature of M25 traffic, the speed I travel at generally has little effect on the time I arrive at the office anyway. And, after the 117 miles to Twickenham, I arrived with 170 miles of theoretical range available. Very encouraging.
Nevertheless, I was equally cautious for the first part of the trip home, but once I reached Chelmsford (48 miles to go; 80 miles range indicated), I relaxed a bit. And when I reached the country roads nearer to home, I was even able to let my hair down and dally with Sport mode for a few miles.
I arrived home with 25 miles left in reserve, and plugged in safe in the knowledge that I could do it all again tomorrow. But this time with the air conditioning on.
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