Test Drive of the Opel Crossland X 1.5D: a city SUV that is extremely fuel-efficient

We have tested the Opel Crossland X with the 120 hp 1.5 diesel engine and the AT6 automatic gearbox, an ideal combination to become the king of the city

The Opel Crossland X arrived on the market in 2017 to replace the Meriva in the range, an urban MPV that did not achieve good sales volume in its last generation. This move by the lightning brand was a clear reflection of the market trend in recent years, as SUVs have become the protagonists, relegating equivalent saloons to the background.

On the other hand, Opel joined the brand portfolio of the French PSA group in 2017. In this way, the Opel Crossland X became the first model developed within this framework, so it shares its platform with the previous generation of the Peugeot 2008 or the Citroën C3 Aircross. Production of this new model was entrusted to the Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, where it will share assembly lines with the new Opel Corsa.

The Opel Crossland X was designed to be the entry-level model in the brand’s SUV range, so it sits below the Opel Mokka X and the Opel Grandland X. However, this model has been the worst enemy the mid-size sibling of the family could face, as it offers similar interior space and dimensions and its price is lower.

At Top10motor we had the opportunity to test the Opel Crossland X 1.5 Diesel 120 hp paired with the AT6 automatic gearbox, a mechanical combination that we found well balanced, although we will talk about that later. Let us introduce it:

A charming styling

The Opel Crossland X has dimensions of 4.21 metres in length, 1.76 metres in width, 1.60 metres in height and a wheelbase of 2.60 metres. With these figures, it competes with models such as the Citroën C3 Aircross, with which it shares its platform, the Seat Arona, the Kia Stonic or the Volkswagen T-Cross.

This urban SUV has a charming and eye-catching design. At the front, a generous grille dominates the nose, and the front headlights feature a light signature in the shape of a hook.

The most distinctive part is the profile, where the short overhang places the rear axle almost at the extremities. If it is specified in a two-tone finish like our test unit, the impression is that the car is clearly divided into two halves.

A chrome moulding starts at the A-pillar and ends at the C-pillar to accentuate the car’s silhouette. In addition, the thick C-pillar does not connect directly with the rear of the car, but rather with the rear light. Finally, there are 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 215/50 R17 tyres.

The rear has very straight lines, highlighted by the rear lights, whose light signature has the same shape as the front headlights. To give it the adventurous touch typical of an SUV, the Opel Crossland X integrates a rear diffuser which, on our test unit, was painted in gloss black to match the roof and the mirrors.

Good size-to-interior-space ratio

The Opel Crossland X offers very reasonable interior space for a car of these dimensions.

The driving position is raised, so visibility is very good. The dashboard design is very similar to that found in other models of the brand, such as the Opel Astra. There is a steering wheel of generous diameter and behind it a classic instrument cluster with four gauges and, between them, a digital display that shows information as well as the navigation indications when we use the satnav.

The centre console is dominated by the 8-inch screen, and its operation is simple and intuitive. This is one of the areas where the French character of the Opel Crossland X shows, as the operating system is exactly the same as that found in the models of the PSA Group.

One of the drawbacks in the cabin is the excessive use of hard plastics, and although this is becoming increasingly common across all models, the only soft-touch part in the Opel Crossland X is the upper part of the dashboard.

A spacious interior with a large boot

One of the strong points of the Opel Crossland X is its spaciousness, and despite its modest external dimensions, it can perfectly well act as a family car. The rear seat has enough room for two adults to travel comfortably, and the generous headroom means taller occupants will have no problems.

To complete this generous interior space, the boot of the Opel Crossland X has a capacity of 410 litres, which places it ahead in this respect of models such as the Kia Stonic (332 litres), the Hyundai Kona (361 litres), the Mazda CX-3 (350 litres) or the Seat Arona (400 litres). It also features a double floor and very regular shapes that make the usual holiday “Tetris” easier.

An eager and frugal engine

As we mentioned earlier, the Opel Crossland X we tested had under its bonnet the 1.5 diesel engine producing 120 horsepower. It is a newly developed turbocharged four-cylinder that has joined the range to replace the old 1.6 CDTI of the same power output.

This engine proved more than sufficient to move the 1,361 kilos it weighs on the scales with complete ease. Thanks to its 300 Nm of torque, it delivers a strong response when we need power.

However, what we liked least was the AT6 automatic gearbox, and this is a problem when it is the only option the brand offers with this engine.

It is not a problem serious enough to rule out buying the car, but we were disappointed by the abruptness of its operation, which becomes especially noticeable under the heaviest braking. The downshifts are too sudden, so it is easy to feel jolts during gear changes, which detracts from comfort.

To compensate, one of the great strong points of the Opel Crossland X is its low fuel consumption, since in everyday use combining urban traffic with motorway driving, it is very easy to average under 5.0 litres per 100 km/h.

The Opel Crossland X is a perfect tool for the city

The Opel Crossland X is clearly focused on offering trouble-free driving and maximum ride comfort for its occupants. Thanks to its dimensions, it becomes a car perfectly suited to nipping around urban environments and offers sufficient comfort to tackle a long-distance journey.

The suspension is tuned softly, so it filters potholes on the road very well. However, it is too soft on some occasions, so if we hit a bump at high speed, it can float and produce rebounds that are far from pleasant.

The steering also has a feel clearly geared towards the city, with generous assistance that allows parking manoeuvres to be done with one finger. Such heavy assistance hurts its precision, so if we are tackling a winding road, we will have to turn the wheel more than usual to get the car into a bend.

Moreover, the steering gives no information about what is happening under the front axle. Therefore, this combination with the body roll typical of such a soft suspension means that at no point does the idea of driving in even a minimally sporty way come to mind.

However, this is not one of the qualities expected of a car like the Opel Crossland X, so it cannot be a reason to judge it negatively. The ride comfort and agility are characteristics that should be expected of an urban SUV, and this model clearly delivers them.

A very reasonable price-to-equipment ratio

The Opel Crossland X we tested came with the Innovation trim level. This is available from 20,931 euros and already comes with a very comprehensive standard equipment list.

It already includes features such as the two-tone roof, electric mirrors, LED daytime running lights and the 4.0 Intellilink navigation system. However, our test unit had the 5.0 version of the system, which costs an extra 1,100 euros and integrates an 8-inch touchscreen – instead of 7 – and includes all Opel Connect services.

In terms of driver assistance, we have the rear camera pack, which includes front and rear parking assist and a rear-view camera. There is also the Vision pack, which includes a rain sensor and Intellilux headlights, providing very good visibility and featuring automatic light-switching sensors.

It also has a wide range of safety assistants, including front collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, fatigue monitoring and lane-change alert. In addition, our test unit had the winter pack, which includes heated front seats and steering wheel, adding 390 euros to the final bill.

Therefore, the price of the Opel Crossland X 1.5 Diesel Innovation that we tested comes to 26,472 euros. This price may be somewhat high, but it is easily adjustable if we remove some dispensable items such as the Intellilink 5.0 infotainment system or choose one of the four colours available in the palette at no extra cost.