2024 Ineos Grenadier Review: The Off-Road Newcomer That Means Business

Picture an old-school Land Rover Defender that’s received a tech upgrade, hit the gym, and wants to lay down the law in the modern world of off-roading. That’s what you have in a nutshell with the 2024 Ineos Grenadier, a boxy, purpose-built SUV that’s unapologetically made for people who believe that paved roads are for losers.

Is this the real deal, or is it nothing more than a sparkly trip down memory lane? Feel free to pull out your trail maps and explore this one with us.

What Is the Ineos Grenadier Anyway?

The Grenadier is being made by the British chemicals company Ineos, and the man behind it is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos’ head, who decided to construct the best “go-anywhere” vehicle after Land Rover retired its OG Defender. Consider it a kind of spiritual descendant of an off-roader classic, except that it has modern engineering, built-to-last materials, and a fair bit of moxie in other departments.

This SUV is designed to take on everything from rocky trails to urban jungles while giving Jeep Wranglers and Toyota Land Cruisers a real side-eye.

What’s Under the Grenadier’s Hood?

It runs on the same engines as the BMW, so it’s like getting a suit from a buddy who has a job on Wall Street … it should remain out of the maintenance bay, for the most part. The diesel engine won’t be sold here in the States, but the gas-powered inline-6 has plenty of grunt to work up a steep hill in the woods or, parked, tow your toys deep into the wilderness. The 8-speed auto is nice and slick too, and with the Grenadier’s low-range gearing, it’ll cross obstacles like a mountain goat.

• Engine Options:
  • 3.0L inline-6 turbocharged gasoline engine (281 hp, 332 lb-ft torque)
  • 3.0L inline-6 turbo diesel (246 hp, 406 lb-ft torque)
• Transmission: ZF 8-speed auto
• Drivetrain: Full time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case and lockable front, center, and rear differentials
• Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs.
• Payload: 2,200 lbs..

Grenadier Trims and Features

It stands in opposition to that model lineup norm with the Ineos Grenadier, which presents the off-roader in simple trim levels that are available in mountain-climbing enthusiast or cargo-hauling-utility buyer variations.

1. Standard Grenadier:
   • Bare-bones utility for drivers who need to kit their SUVs out just the way they like
   • Features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen, rugged cloth seats, and a washable floor
2. Trialmaster Edition:
   • Designed for extreme off-roading
   • The options list includes BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, an auxiliary battery, and a snorkel for deep water fording
3. Fieldmaster Edition:
   • Focused on luxury and versatility
   • Adds leather, heated front seats, carpeted floors, and a sunroof

Interior: Spartan or Spectacular?

Step inside, and you’ll find yourself in something that’s a cross between a military command center and a modern SUV. The Grenadier’s cabin puts function ahead of frippery yet still feels distinctly upmarket.

What Stands Out

• Switchgear Galore: The dashboard is crammed with switches and toggles that make you feel like a fighter pilot. There are even auxiliary switches on the roof for accessories such as winches or light bars
• 12.3-Inch Touchscreen: Includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — because even adventurers need playlists
• Durable Interior: Washable floors and wipe-clean materials take on mud and mess without worry
• Open Cabin: Ample head and legroom, and wide-opening rear doors for easy entry and loading

What Could Be Better?

The infotainment system can come across as dated in comparison to rivals, and if functionality is the biggest goal, then the rugged interior may be too utilitarian for those looking for luxury at this price range. And, the Grenadier is not what I would call “inexpensive” to most customers.

On and Off the Road

The Grenadier sits on a ladder-frame chassis, has solid axles (front and rear), and heavy-duty suspension parts that laugh at potholes and/or boulders.

Off-Road Cred

• Approach Angle: 35.5 degrees
• Departure Angle: 36.1 degrees
• Ground Clearance: 10.4 inches
• Water Fording Depth: 31.5 inches

The Grenadier is not only for off-road posers. Its 3,000-hour trial in extreme conditions, including a salt spray test, means that it’s as tough as it looks. Dunes, rocky trails, snowy passes — this SUV has got it, no problemo.

On-Road Performance

But here’s the catch: While it’s competent off-road, the Grenadier seems slightly out of place on smooth highways. The steering is heavy, the ride can be kinda hard, and it’s hardly agile in tight corners. But hey, you don’t buy one for that.

Rivals: Who’s in the Grenadier’s Crosshairs?

The 2024 Ineos Grenadier is entering a crowded arena of revered off-road legends. Here’s how it stacks up:

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

• Price: Starts at $47,495.
• Why It’s a Rival: Timeless off-road chops across more iterations (two-door, four-door, plug-in hybrid)
• Why Choose Grenadier?: It’s a more rugged build, more refinement than the Ineos

Toyota Land Cruiser

• Price: Starts at $55,000.
• Why It’s a Rival: Proven reliability and decades-long history as a tough machine
• Why Choose Grenadier?: The Land Cruiser is getting smaller, while the Grenadier stays decidedly large and proud about it

Ford Bronco Raptor

• Price: Starts at $86,080.
• Why It’s a Rival: Insane off-road performance with a don’t-mess-with-me look
• Why Choose Grenadier?: The Bronco’s more of a high-speed off-roader, and the Grenadier’s all about slow, methodical trail mastery.

Land Rover Defender 110

• Price: Starts at $59,600.
• Why It’s a Rival: The Grenadier’s spiritual predecessor
• Why Choose Grenadier?: The Defender has moved upscale, allowing the Grenadier to hold the flame for rugged purists

What We Like About the Grenadier

1. Purpose-Built Toughness: Not many SUVs take the job of off-road capability so seriously
2. Classic Yet Modern: Combines analog nostalgia with the essential modern features
3. Customizable: The switchgear and the trims let you create an SUV that is tailored to your exact requirements, rather than something that is just available off the shelf

What We Wish Was Different

1. Pricey Proposition: At an entry point of $71,500, it’s costly, especially once you begin to pile on the options
2. On-Road Comfort: The stiff ride and heavy steering will get to you during extended highway drives
3. Not a lot of Dealers: Given that it’s Ineos’ first foray into the United States, dealerships are few and far between to say the least

Grenadier Verdict: Is it Worth It?

The 2024 Ineos Grenadier is not for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s for people who prefer authenticity in their off-roader, for those who want a vehicle that looks at a muddy trail and says, “That’s cute.”

If you are the type of person who spends weekends in the woods (or dreads the city life), then it’s difficult to resist the allure of the Grenadier. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it loses some on-road comfort, but it’s unapologetically geared for adventure.

What do you think? Is the Grenadier the perfect-for-you dream off-roader? Share your thoughts in the comments below!