The car you see is the Opel Crossland X, a small German crossover SUV that costs 79,000 Dirhams and goes up against the Chinese Haval H2, the Japanese Honda HR-V, and the Korean Hyundai Kona. With plenty of options in this segment, let’s find out if this Crossland X has what it takes to stand out.
Drive
With fuel economy becoming an important number in the region, the Opel Crossland X is powered by a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that offers the best of both worlds. Averaging 5.4-liters for every 100 kilometers, it is fuel-efficient but since it puts out 110 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque, it is also fun to drive. With virtually no turbo lag, the 6-speed automatic transmission pushes power to the front wheels and offers drivers added excitement with the option to shift through gears manually. The suspension is tuned well and the brakes are strong enough to bring the car to a stop smoothly, comfortably, and safely.
Driving aids come in the form of a Lane Departure Warning system that beeps if the car nears the edge of a lane and the indicator isn’t switched on, Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, and a Heads-Up Display that projects speed and navigation information on a panel in front of the driver so they never need to take their eyes off the road.
Interior
When it comes to interior design and quality, the designers have opted for a minimalistic approach with very few buttons along the dashboard and center console. There are soft-touch materials covering certain parts of the cabin and since this is the full option model, it gets leather seats as well. Speaking of the seats, they aren’t just any normal seats, they have been ergonomically certified by the AGR Campaign for Healthier Backs and so they are extremely comfortable and offer up to 16-way adjustment.
Space in the second row is better than expected and that is thanks to the relatively straight roof. The seats do slide forwards and backward, as well as recline, but the lack of rear A/C vents is likely to a big concern for buyers in the region. Boot space measures in at 410 liters behind the second row or 1,255 liters when folded flat.
Features
Generously equipped on the feature front, this full-option model is fitted with plenty of comfort, safety, and entertainment features, including a panoramic glass roof, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera with a birds eye view, an 8-inch touch infotainment screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a wireless charger and dual-zone climate control system among many, many others.
Exterior
For those of you who are familiar with Opel and its line-up, you’ll might remember the Meriva - a mini MPV that sold until 2017. The Crossland X is a successor to that model and so it does look a little like an SUV but a lot like an MPV as well. The SUV touches include front and rear silver skid plates and roof rails on top. Targeting the youth, the Crossland X is available in 8 exterior colors and 2 roof options, white or black like we have on our test car. Since this is the full-option model, it also gets full LED headlights along with LED Daytime Running Lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Verdict
With a starting price of 69,000 Dirhams including VAT and a full option price of 79,000 Dirhams including VAT, the Opel Crossland X offers good value for money, even more so when you realize it includes a 5yr/100,000km warranty, a 5yr/50,000km service contract, and complimentary registration for the first year. So, to answer the question we laid out in the beginning, does the Opel Crossland X have what it takes to stand out? Sure, it’s a German car at Chinese car prices and that’s enough to make it special.
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