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Pros: Standard touchscreen and tech, surprisingly spacious, competitively priced
Cons: Not engaging to drive, similar to Mokka X, scratchy plastics
Farewell to Opel’s family favourite, the Meriva, and hello to the car that replaces it for 2017, the Crossland X. The new Crossland X takes aim at popular cars like the Nissan Juke and Renault's Captur, and it blends downscaled SUV looks with impressive levels of interior space. It’s also the first Opel to be built under the German manufacturer’s merge with Peugeot PSA, so it is based on the same platform as the latest Peugeot 2008. We recently took the Crossland X for a week-long test drive on Irish roads to see if has the recipe for success in an increasingly competitive corner of the market.
What is it like?
The Crossland X shares many styling similarities the popular Opel Mokka X SUV, although it isn’t as rugged from the outside. Features like the front grille and rear lights are recognisable from other cars in Opel’s range, while its raised ride height and tall bumpers lend it an SUV stance. Choice of specification in Ireland consists of two models, SC and SE, while the base specification SC gets 16-inch alloy wheels and distinctive LED daytime running lights as standard. Our test car is a higher specification SE model, so it gains larger 17-inch alloy wheels and dark tinted windows.
The Crossland X is more spacious inside than you would expect, with excellent head and leg room for front and rear seat passengers. Space in the rear is particularly impressive due to the flat floor, and boot space is respectable at 410 litres, trump rivals like the Nissan Juke. There is also an optional versatility pack which allows the rear seat bench to slide forwards and backwards and further increases boot space. The driving position is high which means it offers a commanding view of the road, and there’s enough support from the seats for comfort during longer drives.
The quality of the plastics throughout the cabin is mostly good, but they are scratchy in certain areas such as beneath the steering wheel and lower doors. It’s nice to note that all Crossland X models have a user-friendly 7-inch colour touchscreen system in the centre of the dashboard as standard, incorporating Opel’s Intellilink system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also included is Opel’s OnStar with a Wi-Fi hotspot, roadside assistance call out and lots of other features too, so it's fair to say that the Crossland X is more connected and smartphone-friendly than many of its rivals.
The Crossland X is available with either a 1.2-litre petrol engine available in two different states of tune (81hp or 110hp), or a larger 1.6-litre CDTi diesel engine in 99hp or 120hp variants. We drove the 120hp 1.6 CDTi diesel with a six-speed-manual gearbox and it offers an ideal mix of performance and economy. 0-100km/h is possible in under ten seconds and it cruises confidently at motorway speeds, while we covered over 600 kilometres of driving in the midlands and managed 5-litres per 100 kilometres of driving in fuel economy (56MPG). Annual motor tax for the 1.6 CDTi engine comes in at €190.
The Crossland X has an accommodating suspension setup which means it is comfortable out on the road, but it isn’t very agile through corners. Light steering helps during parking, but again, there is little feedback from the steering when cornering. This is unlikely to affect family buyers who will value comfort over driving dynamics. Despite its SUV looks, the Crossland X isn’t available with four-wheel-drive, but the front-wheel-drive setup offers sufficial amounts of grip.
Prices for the new Opel Crossland X start from €21,995 for the base specification 1.2 petrol SC, which is on par with the entry-level Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008. Standard equipment is very good with Opel’s Intellilink Touch screen system, electric heated mirrors, chrome exterior trim, dual-zone climate control, automatic cruise control and ambient interior lighting all included.
Family buyers will appreciate standard safety features such as lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors and hill start assist. Our test car has desirable optional extras such as a panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors and Opel’s lighting pack, but the asking price is bumped up accordingly and it can get expensive quickly.
Carzone verdict: 3.5/5
The Crossland X is a worthy successor to the Opel Meriva MPV, bringing more style and desirability than its predecessor. Family buyers will appreciate the Crossland’s generous interior space, along with the strong serving of standard equipment. That said, it feels and looks very similar to the latest Opel Mokka X, so differentiating between the two models can be confusing, and it also isn’t as fun to drive as some of its more-established rivals, such as the Peugeot 2008. Taking all things into account, the Crossland X makes for a well-priced alternative to cars like the Nissan Juke with best-in-class space and practicality.
Test Car Details:
Model driven: Opel Crossland X SE
Prices from: €21,995
Price as tested: €29,320 (including options)
Annual Road Tax: €190
Engine: 1560cc four-cylinder turbocharged diesel
Power/Torque: 120bhp / 300Nm
Top Speed: 187km/h
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Body style: SUV
Boot Space: 410 litres