A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
3.9/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
3.5
Comfort & Interior
4.2
Running Costs
4
Practicality
4.5
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
Looking for a practical family SUV that won’t break the bank? The Vauxhall Crossland might be exactly what you need. This compact SUV combines the higher driving position and versatility that modern families want with reasonable running costs and straightforward ownership. It’s designed for people who need more space than a traditional hatchback but don’t want the bulk or expense of a larger SUV.
The Crossland stands out in a crowded market with its focus on practicality over style. While it may not turn heads like some rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage, it offers genuine real world benefits. The sliding rear seats are a standout feature, allowing you to prioritise passenger space or boot capacity as needed. Inside, you’ll find a well organised cabin with plenty of storage solutions and easy to use controls that make daily life simpler.
What really appeals about the Crossland is its no nonsense approach to family motoring. The engines are efficient and quiet, the ride is comfortable, and everything feels solidly built. It’s not the most exciting SUV to drive, but that’s not its purpose. Its purpose is to be a reliable, practical, and affordable family companion. For many buyers, especially those who prioritise value and functionality, the Crossland delivers exactly what’s needed without any unnecessary complications.
What's the Vauxhall Crossland Like to Drive?
The Vauxhall Crossland prioritises efficiency and refinement over outright performance. The most popular engine is the 1.2 litre three cylinder turbo petrol with 110 horsepower, which provides adequate power for most situations. It feels responsive around town and has enough grunt for safe motorway overtaking, reaching 60mph in around 10.5 seconds. For those wanting more performance, the 130hp version of the same engine offers noticeably stronger acceleration.
Where the Crossland excels is in its composed and comfortable driving experience. The steering is light and precise at parking speeds, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. On the road, it feels stable and predictable, though the relatively narrow track can make it feel a bit skittish in strong crosswinds on the motorway. The suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps and potholes, keeping passengers comfortable. It’s clearly designed as a practical family SUV rather than a sporty crossover, and it fulfils that brief admirably well.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
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Engine
1.2L 3-cylinder Turbo Petrol
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Power Output
110 - 130 bhp
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0-60 mph
10.5 - 9.5 seconds
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MPG Combined
45 - 50 mpg
- Boot Space
- 410 - 520 litres
- Safety Rating
- ★★★★☆ (Euro NCAP)
How Comfortable Is the Vauxhall Crossland?
Step inside the Crossland and you’re greeted by a sensibly designed cabin that puts practicality first. The dashboard layout is straightforward and user friendly, with physical buttons for key functions like climate control. The infotainment system includes a decent sized touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate your smartphone. Materials feel solid rather than luxurious, but everything seems built to withstand family life.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with good adjustment range to suit drivers of different heights. The real star is the rear seating arrangement. The sliding rear bench is genuinely useful, allowing you to create more legroom for passengers or extra boot space as needed. The cabin is impressively quiet at cruising speeds, with good insulation from road and wind noise. Storage solutions are thoughtfully placed throughout, with door pockets, cup holders, and cubby holes where you actually need them.
The Vauxhall Crossland is a sensible, practical choice for families who prioritise functionality and value over style and prestige. It successfully delivers the space and versatility that modern families need, wrapped up in an efficient and affordable package. The sliding rear seats are a genuinely useful feature that sets it apart from many rivals.
Is the Vauxhall Crossland Expensive to Run?
The Crossland scores well when it comes to running costs, which is crucial for family buyers. The efficient 1.2 litre turbo engine delivers real world fuel economy in the mid 40s MPG, keeping fuel bills reasonable. Insurance groups are typically moderate, ranging from group 10 to 15 depending on the trim level you choose. Road tax is affordable too, making the annual costs manageable.
Purchase prices are competitive, especially compared to more fashionable rivals. The Crossland often represents good value on the used car market, where depreciation works in buyers’ favour. Servicing costs are reasonable through Vauxhall’s network, and the brand offers competitive warranty packages. For families looking to manage their motoring budget effectively, car finance options can help spread the cost. Overall, the Crossland delivers low cost of ownership that makes it attractive for budget conscious buyers.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
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Vauxhall Crossland
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Nissan Qashqai
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Skoda Kamiq
|
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|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £20,500 | £23,500 | £21,000 |
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Performance
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| Engine | 1.2L Turbo 110hp | 1.3L DIG-T 140hp | 1.0L TSI 110hp |
| Power | 110 bhp | 140 bhp | 110 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 10.5 seconds | 9.9 seconds | 10.4 seconds |
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Running Costs
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| MPG Combined | 47 mpg | 44 mpg | 49 mpg |
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Practicality
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| Boot Space | 410 litres | 430 litres | 400 litres |
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Standard Features
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| Key Features | Sliding rear seats, Good value, Practical interior | Premium feel, Advanced tech, Strong brand | Quality interior, Efficient engines, Reliability |
Vauxhall Crossland Practicality & Boot Space
The Crossland truly shines when it comes to practical family use. The 410 litre boot is a decent size, expanding to 520 litres with the rear seats folded flat. More importantly, the sliding rear seats allow you to prioritise either passenger comfort or cargo space depending on your needs. This flexibility is genuinely useful in real world situations, whether you’re carrying tall passengers or bulky shopping.
Inside the cabin, there are plenty of storage solutions for the everyday items that families accumulate. Door pockets are generously sized, and there are useful cubby holes throughout the interior. The higher driving position gives you a good view of the road ahead, making it easier to spot potential hazards. For families considering their options among used Vauxhall cars, the Crossland offers impressive space efficiency. While it may not have the outright space of larger SUVs, it maximises what’s available in a very clever way.
We bought our Crossland two years ago and it’s been brilliant for our family of four. The sliding seats are so clever, and it’s been completely reliable. Not the most exciting car to look at, but it does everything we need really well.
The Vauxhall Crossland stands out in the competitive family SUV market by focusing on the things that really matter for everyday use. It packages impressive practicality, reasonable running costs, and solid reliability into an unpretentious but highly functional package. While it may not have the style appeal of some rivals, it excels in real world usability.
You choose the Crossland because you want a family SUV that simply gets on with the job without any fuss. Its clever sliding rear seats, efficient engines, and competitive pricing make it an excellent choice for practical buyers. For families seeking affordable SUV versatility, especially among cars under £10,000 on the used market, the Crossland represents outstanding value for money.
