Vauxhall Crossland (2017-2024) Review

The Vauxhall Crossland arrived in 2017 as the Crossland X, sitting alongside the Mokka X and beneath the larger Grandland X in Vauxhall’s SUV range.

It was developed during Vauxhall’s transition into the PSA Group and shares much of its underlying engineering with models including the Citroen C3 Aircross and first-generation Peugeot 2008.

Unlike the Mokka X, the Crossland was designed primarily for urban and family use rather than suggesting any meaningful off-road ability. Every version is front-wheel drive, and its priorities are interior space, a high seating position and affordable running costs.

Vauxhall revised the car in 2021, dropping the X from its name and introducing the brand’s Vizor front end. The facelift brought a gloss-black panel between the headlights, standard LED lighting and revised bumpers, giving the previously anonymous Crossland a more modern appearance.

The suspension and steering were also retuned, although the changes did not transform the way the car drove. Later versions remain easy to manoeuvre but still feel less settled and precise than the best small SUVs.

The interior changed less dramatically. The Crossland retained analogue instruments, physical heating controls and either a seven or eight-inch touchscreen, making it simple to operate even if it looked dated beside newer rivals.

Petrol engines dominated the range. All used a 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit, offered without a turbo in 81PS or 83PS form and with turbocharging in 110PS or 130PS versions.

Early diesel buyers could choose a 1.6-litre engine, which was later replaced by a 1.5-litre Turbo D. Diesel production ended before the Crossland was discontinued, leaving only the 110PS and 130PS turbo petrols in the final new-car range.

Trim names changed frequently. Early cars included SE, Tech Line Nav, Elite and Ultimate, while later ranges used combinations including Griffin, Business Edition Nav, SRi Nav, Elite Nav and Ultimate.

Vauxhall simplified the final range to a single highly equipped Ultimate trim before production ended in 2024.

The Crossland was effectively replaced by the larger Vauxhall Frontera, which is available with petrol-hybrid or electric power. The Crossland is now a used-only option and undercuts most newer small SUVs by a substantial margin.

The Vauxhall Crossland 1.2 Turbo 110PS SRi Nav manual is the best all-round used version.

The turbocharged 110PS engine provides a useful improvement in performance over the non-turbo petrol without the higher insurance costs of the 130PS model. Its six-speed manual gearbox also makes motorway driving quieter and more relaxed than it is in the basic five-speed car.

SRi Nav combines the equipment most buyers need with the useful Versatility Pack. Depending on model year, this includes the sliding rear bench, adjustable rear backrests, navigation, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and supportive ergonomic front seats.

Its 17-inch wheels make the ride slightly firmer than it is on smaller rims, but the additional equipment and flexible rear seating make it a stronger family choice than the basic SE.

Elite Nav is also worth considering, particularly when it includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. Late Ultimate models have the broadest specification but can command a higher price despite being mechanically similar.

The 130PS petrol suits drivers who regularly use faster roads or carry a full load. It provides stronger overtaking performance but is noisier when worked hard and generally costs more to insure.

Diesel versions make sense only for buyers covering regular longer journeys. They are economical but less refined than the turbo petrol, while repeated short trips can create problems for the diesel particulate filter.

The non-turbo 81PS or 83PS petrol should be avoided unless the car will be used almost entirely in town. It is slow, has only five gears and needs to be worked hard on faster roads.

Early Crossland X models start from around £3,500, although cars at this price are likely to have high mileage, a basic specification or a limited service history.

Approximately £5,000 to £7,000 buys a broader choice of 2017 to 2020 cars, including many SE, Elite and Griffin models with the 1.2-litre petrol engine.

Facelifted Crosslands from 2021 generally begin at around £6,500. Between £7,500 and £10,000 buys a wide selection of SRi Nav, Elite and Ultimate cars with reasonable mileages.

Late 2023 and 2024 examples typically cost between £9,000 and £13,000, depending on mileage, gearbox and specification.

Automatic versions usually command a premium of around £1,000 to £2,000 over comparable manuals, while diesel prices vary more widely because supply is limited.

The Crossland is plentiful on the used market, so there is little reason to compromise on condition or maintenance history. Cars with incomplete servicing, mismatched tyres, dashboard warning lights or signs of timing-belt deterioration should be avoided.

The Crossland X and facelifted Crossland overlap heavily in price. A well-kept late Crossland X can therefore be a better buy than a newer facelifted car with a poorer history.

The Skoda Kamiq has a higher-quality cabin, a more composed ride and better refinement. It usually costs more but is the stronger all-round family car.

The SEAT Arona is more enjoyable to drive and feels more stable at motorway speeds. Its boot is slightly smaller, while rear flexibility is less impressive.

The Ford Puma has sharp handling, efficient engines and an excellent boot with a deep lower storage compartment. Used prices are higher and rear passenger space is tighter.

The Renault Captur offers a sliding rear bench and a more modern interior, particularly in second-generation form. Its controls can be more complicated than the Vauxhall’s.

The Citroen C3 Aircross shares much of its engineering with the Crossland but has softer suspension and a more distinctive design. Its body control is even looser through bends.

The Peugeot 2008 has a smarter cabin and more eye-catching styling. Its small steering wheel and elevated instrument display do not suit every driver.

The Kia Stonic is straightforward, dependable and covered by a longer original warranty. It is less spacious and its driving position feels more like that of a hatchback.

The driver sits noticeably higher than in a Vauxhall Corsa, providing a clear view through the windscreen and making the Crossland easy to place in urban traffic.

The driver’s seat adjusts for height, while the steering wheel moves for both height and reach. Most people should be able to find a comfortable position, although the front seats in basic models offer limited support over longer journeys.

Selected higher trims have AGR-certified ergonomic seats with additional adjustment and electrical lumbar support. These are worth seeking for drivers who regularly cover longer distances.

The handbrake has an unusual broad design with its release button on top. It works well enough but feels less natural to use than a conventional lever or electronic parking brake.

Front passenger space is generous, with good headroom and enough width for two adults. Storage includes large door pockets, cupholders, a phone tray and covered compartments in the centre console.

The glovebox is small, while the rear door pockets provide limited space for bottles or larger items.

Rear passenger room is one of the Crossland’s strengths. Adults have useful knee and headroom, particularly when the front seats are not pushed fully backwards.

The cabin is narrow, so three adults will feel cramped across the rear bench, but two adults or older children can travel comfortably enough.

The rear doors are relatively small and do not open especially wide, making it more awkward to install bulky child seats than it is in a Skoda Kamiq or Citroen C3 Aircross.

Isofix mounting points are fitted to the two outer rear seats, although the metal brackets are less neatly integrated than those in some rivals.

Cars fitted with the Versatility Pack have a rear bench that slides through 150mm. Moving it backwards improves passenger legroom, while sliding it forwards increases luggage capacity.

The backrests also recline, making the rear seats more comfortable on longer journeys. These functions were standard on selected SRi Nav, Elite Nav and Ultimate versions but not every Crossland.

With the rear bench in its normal position, the boot holds 410 litres. That is enough for a compact pushchair, several shopping bags or luggage for a weekend away.

Sliding the optional rear bench fully forwards increases capacity to 520 litres, although passengers lose a substantial amount of legroom.

The load opening is broad and square, but there is a lip to lift heavier items over. An adjustable boot floor was fitted to some versions and reduces the step when the rear seats are folded.

Standard models have a 60:40 split rear backrest, while cars with the Versatility Pack use a more flexible 40:20:40 arrangement.

Folding the rear seats increases maximum capacity to 1,255 litres. The extended floor is not completely flat in every version but is long enough for a bicycle with its front wheel removed or a selection of flat-pack boxes.

The Vauxhall Crossland measures 4,212mm long, 1,825mm wide & 1,605mm high.

It is only slightly longer than a conventional supermini, making it straightforward to use on narrow streets and in smaller parking spaces.

The width increases to 1,976mm with the door mirrors extended.

Light steering makes low-speed manoeuvres easy, while the high seating position and square body help the driver judge the front corners.

Rear parking sensors were fitted to many mid-range and higher-spec cars, while selected versions add front sensors and a reversing camera.

Late Ultimate models have a panoramic rear-view camera as standard, although its image quality is modest by current standards.

Every Crossland has a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Basic and mid-range cars generally use a seven-inch display, while Nav versions and higher trims have an eight-inch screen with built-in European navigation.

Both systems are integrated neatly into the dashboard rather than mounted high above it. This creates a tidy appearance but forces the driver to look further away from the road.

The graphics are clear, responses are reasonably quick and the menu structure is easy to understand. Physical shortcut buttons around the screen make common functions easier to access.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are particularly useful because the built-in navigation is now dated and may require map updates.

Heating and ventilation use conventional switches and rotary controls, making them much easier to adjust while driving than touchscreen-based systems.

Analogue instruments are standard across the range, with a small central information screen displaying speed, fuel economy and assistance information.

Wireless phone charging, keyless entry and additional connected functions were fitted to selected Ultimate models.

Equipment varies considerably between apparently similar cars, so buyers should check the individual specification rather than relying solely on the trim name.

The Crossland cabin is solid and functional rather than stylish, with soft-touch material on parts of the dashboard and harder plastics lower down.

Some switches and centre-console panels feel lightweight, while the shiny decorative trim can look dated.

Higher trims add contrasting dashboard inserts, upgraded upholstery and a leather-covered steering wheel. The overall finish trails a Skoda Kamiq or SEAT Arona but is acceptable at current used prices.

The basic non-turbo petrol is noticeably underpowered. It is adequate for short urban trips but struggles with hills, faster traffic and a full passenger load.

Its five-speed gearbox also leaves the engine working hard at motorway speeds, increasing noise and reducing the likelihood of achieving its official economy.

The 110PS turbo petrol is the best engine in the range. It feels much stronger at low and medium revs, reaches motorway speeds without excessive effort and is paired with a six-speed gearbox.

It is also smoother and quieter than the diesels, while real-world economy in the low to mid-40s is achievable with restrained driving.

The 130PS petrol provides stronger acceleration and is useful for drivers carrying passengers regularly. It is less common and generally more expensive to insure, while the additional performance is not essential in normal use.

The six-speed manual gearbox has a loose and imprecise action. It is easy enough to use but lacks the clean shift quality found in a SEAT Arona or Skoda Kamiq.

The six-speed automatic removes the need to change gear in traffic but can hesitate before responding and is not especially smooth during low-speed manoeuvres.

Early 1.6-litre diesels and later 1.5-litre Turbo D versions provide strong economy during longer journeys. They are noisy around town and make little financial sense for low-mileage drivers.

The Crossland’s raised seating position, light steering and compact dimensions make it straightforward to drive in urban traffic.

It copes easily with speed humps and provides a clear forward view, while the small turning circle helps with parking and three-point turns.

Ride comfort is less impressive. The suspension reacts abruptly to smaller imperfections and allows the body to bounce over a sequence of bumps.

The 2021 facelift brought revised springs, dampers and steering, but the later Crossland still feels less composed than a Skoda Kamiq or Renault Captur.

Models with 17-inch alloy wheels transmit more road disturbance than versions on smaller rims.

Body lean is noticeable through bends, while the light steering provides little information about the available grip. The Crossland remains secure at sensible speeds but does not encourage enthusiastic driving.

Motorway refinement is another weakness. Wind noise builds around the windscreen pillars and door mirrors, while tyre noise is noticeable on coarse surfaces.

The 110PS and 130PS petrol engines settle into the background at a steady cruise, but the non-turbo petrol remains busy because of its five-speed gearbox.

Diesels produce more vibration and engine noise, particularly when cold or accelerating.

Cruise control is fitted across much of the range and helps reduce effort on longer journeys.

The Crossland X received five stars from Euro NCAP when tested in 2017.

It scored 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 84 per cent for child occupant protection, 62 per cent for pedestrian protection and 57 per cent for safety assistance.

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal-offset test, although protection of the rear passenger’s chest was rated marginal and the rear head restraints provided poor whiplash protection.

Autonomous emergency braking was optional and was not included in the rating because it was not fitted to enough cars as standard.

The five-star result was awarded under 2017 criteria and has expired, so it should not be compared directly with a modern small SUV tested under current protocols.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, stability control, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and cruise control with a speed limiter.

Autonomous emergency braking and driver-attention monitoring were optional on many early versions but became standard on the final Ultimate models.

Buyers should check the individual car’s equipment because two outwardly similar Crosslands may have different collision-avoidance technology.

The 110PS turbo petrol officially returns up to 50mpg, with real-world results in the low to mid-40s achievable during mixed driving.

The 130PS version is only slightly less economical, while the non-turbo petrol can perform worse in practice because it needs to be worked harder.

Later 1.5-litre diesels officially return up to 61mpg and can exceed 50mpg during sustained motorway driving.

Early 1.6-litre diesels recorded higher figures under the older NEDC test, but these are not directly comparable with later WLTP results.

Petrol is the better choice for short journeys and lower annual mileages. Diesel is most appropriate for drivers who regularly complete longer trips at higher speeds.

The original Vauxhall warranty covered three years or 60,000 miles from first registration. The first year had no mileage limit, with the 60,000-mile cap applying during years two and three.

Every Crossland is now likely to be outside its original warranty unless it has separate approved-used or aftermarket cover.

A complete service history is essential on the 1.2-litre petrol. These engines use a timing belt that operates in engine oil, and previous generations have experienced premature belt degradation and excessive oil consumption.

Vauxhall provides conditional extended support for eligible previous-generation 1.0 and 1.2-litre PureTech engines, covering parts and labour for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles.

Eligibility depends on factors including correct servicing, oil specification, diagnosis and supporting documentation.

Buyers should inspect the service invoices, confirm that the correct oil was used and ask when the belt was last checked or replaced. Any visible cracking, swelling or loose material should be investigated before purchase.

Diesel cars should be checked for warning lights and evidence of regular longer journeys, while automatic versions should change gear smoothly without hesitation or jolting.

Crossland insurance groups run from 8 to 20.

The non-turbo petrol is the cheapest to insure, while 110PS turbo models generally sit in the low to mid-teens.

The 130PS petrol and higher-spec automatic versions occupy the upper groups, with some late Ultimate models reaching group 20.

Diesels generally sit between groups 15 and 18, depending on engine, trim and gearbox.

Drivers should obtain a quotation for the exact registration because equipment and model-year changes can affect the rating.

Every Crossland was registered after 1 April 2017 and pays the standard £200 annual Vehicle Excise Duty rate from the second licence.

No version originally cost enough to exceed the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold, so the additional five-year charge does not apply.