VAUXHALL is in the midst of refreshing its range, with the Grandland SUV the latest to benefit from an injection of Mokka-style pizazz, writes William Scholes.
There's a new Astra on the way too, but with the family car market increasingly dominated by SUVs, it is important for Vauxhall that it keeps the Grandland fresh.
The car has always been a strong contender - under the skin it is, after all, essentially Peugeot's excellent 3008 - but dowdier bodywork and a more prosaic interior perhaps limited its appeal.
Not so with Grandland v2.0. It has been given the same distinctive 'vizor' front-end treatment that debuted on the all-new Mokka.
This slender, full-width black grille blends into new LED headlights.
These can be specified in all-singing, all-dancing adaptive form, bringing 84 LED elements to each headlamp for a light beam that alters according to speed and surroundings. It's clever stuff, and a great safety aid.
The back of the car has been restyled too, while there are big changes inside.
On board is Vauxhall's new 'pure panel' set-up, consisting of a pair of widescreen displays placed side by side for the infotainment and instrument cluster.
As before, plug-in hybrid drivetrains are offered alongside petrol and diesel options.
Safety kit has been upgraded, too. Night vision is now available for the first time on a Vauxhall - a technology that has transferred to the marque from its Peugeot parent.
Versions with an automatic gearbox get 'highway integration assist', giving the Grandland the sort of advanced cruise control system that automatically keeps the car in its lane while adapting speed based on the vehicle ahead.
Taken together, it appears Vauxhall has given the Grandland a timely boost to keep it in contention with newer rivals such as the latest Hyundai Tucson.
Expect prices to start above £25,000.
