Hurry before it’s too late. Plug-in hybrids are threatened with the end of the environmental bonus, the traffic light could change to red from 2023. This year, however, the funding pot is still full, with a discount of up to 7177.50 euros (including tax).
Four centimeters make the small but subtle difference here. In every dimension (length/width/height), the Sportage stretches four centimeters further than the Grandland – and you can tell that on the inside.
The Sportage then appears to be a little more bold in design, while the Grandland has a sympathetic exterior.
The passengers sit a little more airy in the front and rear, taller guests do not often reach their limits and can load between 150 and 187 liters more luggage. In the rear we also enjoy two centimeters more leg height and a tilt-adjustable backrest – in the Opel you sit very upright, which is no fun on long journeys.
The 1.6 in the Kia delivers 180 hp, the electric motor controls a further 91 hp, four-wheel drive via hydraulic multi-plate clutch.
Mini-advantage Opel then also with the navigation. The map can be called up in full format in the digital instruments, the driver does not have to look at the central screen. In the Sportage instruments, which are also digital, the pilot is dependent on directional arrows.
Engine type/cylinder
performance of the combustion engine
Installation position/displacement
Peak performance electric motor(s)
system torque
system performance
top speed
transmission
drive
Brakes front/rear
test car tires
tire type
wheel size
Exhaust gas CO2*
Consumption*
Tank capacity/battery capacity
Fuel cap/charging port
fuel grade
charging power
pass-by noise
trailer load used/unused
drawbar load
trunk volume
Length Width Height
wheelbase
Basic price (before funding)
Test car price (is evaluated)
Otherwise, however, the Kia system looks more modern, understands freely formulated instructions better and can also activate the seat heating/ventilation with words. Opel has to fit in there, and when it comes to navigation destinations, it also asks for the street first and then the location.
Hardly any differences then in the processing quality. Both compact SUVs are neatly put together and hardly creak even on bad roads. Outside of the field of vision, however, the plastics feel simpler – both in the Opel and in the Kia.
The Opel Grandland drives much more light-footed and committed
The interaction of petrol engine and electric motor works completely unobtrusively and smoothly in both plug-ins, the change can only be heard, not felt. Thanks to 13 percent more power (300 to 265 hp), the Opel is much more light-footed and committed to work, gets a two-second advantage up to 100 km/h and runs at 235 km/h on the autobahn – the Sportage only manages 191 km/h.
The Opel also has a 1.6 turbo, here with 200 hp. In addition, the front electric motor has 110 hp and the rear has 113 hp. All-wheel electric.
But basically the plug-in SUVs are not good for sports anyway, the small battery (Opel 13.2 / Kia 13.8 kWh) is quickly empty, and then it gets thirsty. So it’s better to take it easy and manage the electricity supplies intelligently. In the test, the Kia managed at least 60 kilometers without a combustion engine, can be charged with 7.2 kW as standard, but weakens when recuperating.
If you want to charge more intensively using the engine brake, you have to select the Eco driving mode. The Opel, on the other hand, can recuperate more in every driving profile because it knows the driving position “B”. However, the 7.4 kW charger at Opel costs 500 euros extra and the 300 hp Grandland only has an electric range of 50 kilometers.
Acceleration 0-50km/h
0-100km/h
0-130km/h
0-160km/h
Intermediate sprint 60-100 km/h
80-120km/h
curb weight/load
Weight distribution v./h.
Turning circle left/right
seat height
Braking distance from 100 km/h cold
from 100 km/h warm
Interior noise at 50 km/h
at 100 km/h
at 130 km/h
Power consumption (extrapolated)
Test consumption (60% hybrid, 40% electric share)
consumption with an empty battery
CO2 (test consumption)
Range
The Opel is unbalanced when it comes to the chassis. Between dizzying swings on bumpy slopes and stubborn Stuckern on patchwork rugs, the Opel likes the extremely relaxed gait. Then the extremely smooth and synthetic steering is less noticeable.
At least the Kia has the more pleasant steering resistance, but it also provides little feedback. The Koreans have tuned the chassis tighter and more binding overall.
Price: In the test trim, the Opel is almost 7,000 euros more expensive than the Kia
Opel actually demands more than 50,000 euros for the Hybrid4, in the test trim the Grandland is almost 7,000 euros more expensive than the Sportage. When it comes to the guarantee, the Rüsselsheim-based company only dares for two years. As usual, Kia offers seven years, but calls for maintenance every 15,000 kilometers or annually (Opel: every 30,000 km/year).
Scoring and conclusion
1. Kia Sportage – 559 points: More space, more comfort and then also cheaper – the Sportage won’t let the victory be taken away.
2. Opel Grandland – Points 533: The extremely powerful drive cannot compensate for the weaknesses in comfort and space utilization; therefore only second.
