by In fact, I got the Crossland for a test drive purely by chance. That’s true. Initially, I was supposed to take a DS (the Citroën equivalent of a ‘Lexus’ in the French brand’s lineup), but there was a mix-up, and the importer offered me a replacement in the form of the Opel Crossland. If you’re still puzzled by the Opel and Citroën connection, more on that below, even though you should be aware by now…
To say I was upset—well, not really, but to be honest, this car didn’t catch me at all, and consequently, I had just as much desire to get to know it as I have to go to work at 7 a.m. after a party ending at 4 a.m. Since many people have forgotten how to read these days, I’ll try to be brief, so you’ll read to the end (try, since you’ve already started).
For the first time in recent years (certainly quarantine years), I was amazed and fell in love with something I hadn’t even considered. To my deep surprise, the Opel Crossland turned out to be a very enjoyable and comfortable car. However, not to overpraise, it still appears too cute, cartoonish, feminine… basically, ‘not for me.’ But in terms of driving sensations, it’s like hot mulled wine after a black slope descent on Dragobrat!
The new Opel Crossland model visibly differs from its predecessor with the absence of a classic radiator grille (one might think it’s an electric car), almost all lighting is LED, and the taillights have been redesigned to make the car seem wider. Personally, it evokes associations with the Opel Meriva for me—narrow and tall, but in the 2021 model, not so narrow. Obvious advantages include a large glass area (almost aquarium-like) and excellent visibility.
I have always been a fan of the VAG group (not a so-called ‘VAG fanboy,’ but I liked it, and I still do), but at the same time, I remember Opel well. And, like many others (I think), this German brand is associated with the Kadett, Omega, and probably the Astra Classic and Vectra C. The latter, in my opinion, is one of the best models on the market of the mid-2000s. As you know, Opel is now part of Stellantis (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall). It’s still hard to understand who’s running the show in this multinational company, but Opel clearly has new chances for a second wind.
Not long ago, the Opel Crossland could have the X suffix, which vaguely hinted at offroad capability. Very nominally, but still. Now Crossland has lost it and can only differ by configuration level. Externally, it’s clear—everyone has their own taste, but my opinion is that this Opel is still more feminine than unisex. Another feature is deceptive dimensions. It’s like a compact van—it seems small outside, but inside—on the contrary. High ceiling, deep dashboard, very successful ergonomics… It’s really cool, because there’s no hint of discomfort or lack of space. Crossland shares the PF1 platform with the Citroën C3 Aircross, which, by the way, is also very spacious inside.
Speaking of the interior setup—plastic, upholstery, and the like raise no questions at all. Absolutely none. But it must be said, the related Peugeot (both the 2008 and especially the 3008) is much more ‘premium’ (but also more expensive). And this is expressed not so much in the quality of materials as in the level of electrification. Opel still has analog instruments and regular knobs/buttons, whereas Peugeot has everything almost completely touch-controlled. Is it bad? In my view—not at all. It’s a feature, something you either like or don’t. And although this comparison is inappropriate, I’ll mention Infiniti—a car of this brand is several classes higher but still combines old school and ‘new school.’
The Crossland has ‘standard’ instrumentation, hot keys for climate control and the audio system—maybe outdated for someone, but I believe fully touch controls are not yet the best solution (especially in winter, when everything starts to ‘lag’ noticeably).
Now briefly about why I enjoyed the Opel Crossland so much. During the test, I drove it about 800 km and realized I want to buy such a car for my wife not only because it’s practical and safe (not just regarding crash tests but also in terms of electronic assistants, including auto-braking), but also because I’d occasionally ‘borrow’ it for myself with pleasure.
In terms of handling, suspension solidity, and behavior in general—this Opel is just excellent, especially when you consider the price (‘base’—at the price of a Renault Duster in a ‘so-so’ configuration, mind you!). But the most pleasant thing is the silence in the cabin. I can’t recall any model in this class that was so quiet and comfortable. And this isn’t just about aerodynamic noises but also about the suspension’s quietness. The latter can be a bit stiff (but I even liked it on not the best roads), but it’s very quiet. Even at 150 km/h, you simply don’t feel the speed in the cabin. I would say 90% of Crossland’s competitors can’t provide as much tranquility and comfort while moving. Perhaps the only thing that disrupts such harmony is the noise of the 3-cylinder gasoline engine…
For the Opel Crossland, three powertrain options are available—gasoline 1.2-liter units with 82 and 110 hp, and one 1.5-liter turbodiesel with 120 hp. Honestly, I would probably choose the diesel engine, but that’s more of my ‘quirks.’ In our case, it’s a 1.2 turbo with 110 hp that ‘officially’ reaches 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, but it feels like 8-9 seconds, no more. The engine is very torquey at almost any speed and in any range. And there’s nothing to blame the 6-speed automatic for—minimal delay, and when slowing down, it downshifts excellently.
What else I forgot—Crossland is only available with front-wheel drive, but at my own risk, I drove it through some sand in the forest. I thought a shovel would be needed, but it wasn’t—the IntelliGrip intelligent drive system (thanks, PSA) doesn’t replace all-wheel drive, but it’s certainly not useless.
By activating the right mode, you can minimize the risk of getting stuck in places such a car shouldn’t go. But if curious, the ground clearance is decent (and the overhangs are relatively short)—170 mm. And if you’re interested in the trunk, its volume is 410 liters (one of the best figures in its segment).
Read till the end? Then, a brief verdict—for a reasonable price, you can get a very cozy, convenient, and functional car. It doesn’t consume much (6-7 liters), accelerates well, and (importantly) can be very well equipped with various electronic assistants (from lane keeping to automatic braking). To put it simply, it’s like trail running shoes, where the biggest advantage is ‘wearing comfort.’ If you never considered an Opel Crossland—take a test drive and remember this review.
