FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY

How does the new Vauxhall Grandland Electric measure up to the Renault Scenic E-Tech in battle of family SUVs?

- 

VAUXHALL GRANDLAND vs RENAULT SCENIC

Both are practical and affordable to run – and they look good, too

FAMILY SUVs have taken over from traditional hatchbacks. Where the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra and their like once ruled the roost when it came to car sales, now it's names like Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan that take centre stage. And while those models use petrol or hybrid powertrains, it's only a matter of time before electric models take their place.

Vauxhall has historically performed really well in the charts, with the Astra taking its place among the best sellers most years. The brand hasn't quite found the same success with its SUV equivalent, the Grandland, but it hopes all that will change with the new second-generation model, which offers both internal-combustion powertrains and fully electric ones. It’s the latter we have here, and the Grandland Electric certainly catches the eye - both on the road and in the price lists. So could this be the model that sees Vauxhall squeeze its SUV into the top 10?

To find out, we’ve put it up against a car that deserves its success. Renault is on a roll at the moment, and the Scenic E-Tech is one of the most rounded offerings in the firm's exciting model line-up.

HEAD TO HEAD

ON THE ROAD

THERE’S not much to separate these two from behind the wheel. While the Scenic feels a little more agile initially, the Vauxhall is keener to change direction, and its steering feels more natural. The Grandland rides a touch more smoothly, but both feel refined at a cruise; it’s the Renault that’s the more stable and planted at speed. Performance and acceleration are fine, if not outstanding, in both cars.

TECH HIGHLIGHTS