The Opel Crossland is a compact crossover SUV that offers practicality, style, and value for money. It was first introduced in 2017 as a replacement for the Meriva MPV in Opel's lineup. The Crossland shares its underpinnings with the Citroen C3 Aircross, and it competes against other subcompact SUVs such as the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, and Mazda CX-3.
Exterior: The Opel Crossland has a contemporary design that incorporates Opel's latest styling language. The front fascia features Opel's signature wing-shaped grille, a sculpted hood, and sleek LED headlights. The side profile is characterized by strong character lines, black plastic cladding on the lower body, and a high roofline that aids headroom. The rear end is marked by a raked window, a roof spoiler, and distinctive taillights that extend into the tailgate.
Interior: The Opel Crossland offers a spacious and comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers. The interior boasts a modern and minimalistic design that emphasizes functionality and ease of use. The dashboard features a large touchscreen infotainment system that houses the car's audio, navigation, and connectivity functions. There's also a digital instrument cluster that displays vital information such as speed, fuel level, and range. The seats are supportive and pleasant to sit on, and there's plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats can slide forward and backward to optimize either legroom or cargo space, which ranges from 410 liters to 1,255 liters with the seats folded.
Engiens: The Opel Crossland comes with a choice of three engines: a 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82 hp, a turbocharged version of the same engine that makes 110 hp, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 102 hp. All engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the 110 hp petrol engine and the diesel engine can be had with a six-speed automatic transmission. The petrol engines offer adequate performance for city driving, but they can feel strained when pushed hard on the motorway. The diesel engine, on the other hand, provides more torque and better fuel efficiency, making it the best choice if you frequently do long journeys.
Safety: The Opel Crossland comes equipped with a range of safety features, including six airbags, hill start assist, stability control, and lane departure warning. Higher-spec models add a rearview camera, advanced park assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
Conclusion: The Opel Crossland is a competent and well-rounded compact crossover SUV that ticks most of the boxes for small families, urban commuters, and anyone looking for a practical and affordable car. Its strengths lie in its spacious and adaptable interior, solid build quality, and decent fuel economy. However, it lags behind its rivals in terms of driving dynamics, refinement, and overall performance. Still, if you prioritize practicality over sportiness, the Opel Crossland is worth considering.