► New compact crossover from Vauxhall revealed
► Smaller than a Mokka X; rivals Peugeot 2008
► On sale in summer 2017 – and bigger brother to follow
Looking for a compact, relatively high-riding crossover? Well, in 2017, another new competitor will roll into the burgeoning marketplace – in the form of the new Vauxhall Crossland X.
It’s designed to appeal to family buyers looking for a sensibly sized and practical compact crossover that won’t break the bank. It’s consequently slightly smaller than the current Mokka, and pitched against the likes of the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.
The new Crossland X also forms part of Vauxhall’s ‘five-star’ 2017 plan, during which five new models will be launched – including the new Insignia Grand Sport and a larger SUV called the Grandland X.
What will be the Crossland X’s real selling points?
Interior space and flexibility appears to be the Crossland X’s strong point, judging by what we’ve been told so far. It’s claimed to have a large, comfortable interior – compared to similarly sized cars – and features sliding rear seats to grant additional storage space when required.
Vauxhall states that the Crossland offers 410 litres of boot space, which rises to 520 litres if you push the rear seats as far forward as they go. Those seats split and fold, too, and if you drop both then you’ll have access to 1255 litres of storage space.
For comparison, a Peugeot 2008 offers 422 litres of loadbay room with its rear seats in place – or 1400 litres with them folded down.
It doesn’t all come down to outright numbers, though, so we’ll reserve judgement until we try the new Vauxhall out for ourselves.
Not particularly elegant, is it?
Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director, said: ‘Crossland X is as multi-talented as it is stylish’.
The presumably straight-faced Harvey continued: ‘It will appeal to buyers with families who demand agility and convenience in urban driving, but with enough comfort and performance to cover long distances at the drop of a hat.’
So, expect the Crossland X to at least perform as well as every other regular car made in the past several decades. What was that about aiming low, and exceeding your expectations?
What kind of kit will it come with?
Vauxhall’s yet to announce specific trim levels for the new Crossland X, but it has confirmed that the following will be available:
- Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink or Navi 5.0 IntelliLink media systems
- Standard support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Heads-up display
- LED headlights
- Rear parking camera
- Forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot warning
- Cruise control
- Speed limit sign recognition
- Heated steering wheel and screen
- Keyless entry and start
- Wireless charging for mobile devices
- Vauxhall OnStar assistance
When will we find out more?
The new Vauxhall Crossland X is set to go on sale in summer, so expect more details to be made available closer to the car’s launch.
Engine options will likely consist of conventional petrol and diesel engines lifted from elsewhere in Vauxhall’s range, and prices should start at around the £14k mark.
All-wheel drive is unlikely to be offered, however, as that will be reserved for the Mokka – presumably in order to justify its continued existence by retaining some differentiation.
‘Our customers’ expectations are changing, so the timing is perfect for an additional model in the Vauxhall range, which caters for a new breed of buyer’, added Harvey.
Read more Vauxhall news here
