- Opel Grandland crowned Most Improved Car of the Year at the Top Gear South Africa Magazine Awards, powered by WesBank.
- Accolade highlights Opel’s renewed design language, advanced technology and family-focused comfort.
- Recognition marks a significant milestone in Opel’s continued growth and momentum in South Africa.
Stellantis’ new-look Opel Grandland has been named the Most Improved Car of the Year at the 2026 Top Gear South Africa Magazine Awards, powered by WesBank. This significant achievement demonstrates the Opel brand’s progress in South Africa.
“The Opel Grandland SUV being named Most Improved Car of the Year at the TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards, powered by WesBank, shows that Stellantis’ recent investments in Opel design, technology and local line up renewal are paying off and being noticed by one of the country’s most influential motoring titles,” said Tumelo Rantsane, Head of Brand at Opel South Africa.
“This year’s awards were a sign of how diverse the industry has become,” said Avon Middleton, Publisher at TopGear South Africa. “The theme of ‘Tomorrow Loading…’ was a recognition that the local motor industry is changing at a faster rate than ever before. These awards reflect standout products and people in an incredibly competitive landscape. Congratulations to all of them.”
Launched in South Africa in July 2025, the new Opel Grandland combines made-in-Germany design, comfort- and safety-focused technology, and reliability in a package aimed at family buyers and long-distance drivers.
The vehicle features advanced Intelli-Lux lighting technology, ergonomic AGR-certified seating for back health, and an interior layout designed for long-distance comfort. These elements contribute to a refined driving experience, ideal for day-to-day use.
“The new-generation Opel Grandland features a significant design update, inside and out, with larger dimensions and slick features,” says Rantsane. “This award for Most Improved Car of the Year at the 2025 Top Gear South Africa Magazine Awards, powered by WesBank, is a tangible recognition for Stellantis’ refreshed product strategy and our positive momentum in South Africa – and of Opel’s renewed relevance for local motorists.”
Top Gear South Africa’s expert judges agreed, highlighting the Opel Grandland as a leading option in the family crossover/C SUV segment.
“The Opel brand is certainly young and energetic, bringing a new take on what German luxury is with a new focus on producing greener cars,” Middleton wrote in his first impression of the Opel Grandland. “The new Opel face, first seen in South Africa on the new Opel Mokka, is now carried across to the Grandland, which is larger overall compared to its predecessor, but its design and packaging don’t make it seem so. Boot space is larger now – 550L before you fold seats down – and it really is a practical tool for families looking for an honest, good-looking, fully loaded vehicle. I’m a big fan of it in the flesh, especially when compared to the outgoing model.”
The Opel Grandland is available from R739,900 and comes with a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
