NEW Ineos Grenadier review: it's NOT an SUV, or a Land Rover

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What is the Ineos Grenadier? That’s the big question Steve Fowler sets out to answer in our review, although we already know what it’s not. Despite those naggingly familiar looks, this is NOT a Land Rover Defender and it’s most definitely NOT a Mercedes G-Wagen. It’s also NOT, according to Ineos, an SUV.

This is the new British brand’s take on the classic utilitarian 4x4 formula, a no-nonsense vehicle built to be tough, durable and great off-road.

Despite not being one, it’s certainly looking to fill the gap left by the old Land Rover Defender, but can it do so successfully? Will buyers who need to depend on their off-road vehicle in all weathers and across challenging terrain be convinced? Let’s find out…

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[paulhenderson]

The whole point of the transfer box leaver is that it’s mechanical - you are engaging low range, not an electric switch that takes forever to engage. The steering wheel also has a centre line so you can see where straight ahead is. Foot rest in concerning and no clear remedy for it either.

[nnoddy]

Wheel has a centre line, so that you known where straight ahead is.

Looks impressive.

They car JLR should have built.

[JamieM]

Too expensive as a work truck, and not plush enough for those that spend that kinda of money.

[rafspitfire]

I love to see somebody complaining about the old school transfer case, but at the same time probably loves a manual transmission and finds them perfectly ok

[nev]

The title claims “this is not an SUV“ and Steve repeats “this is not an SUV”. Then Steve’s comments show he’s clearly an SUV man. The entire reason this vehicle exists is to be a different option to what is available.

[ALMXDP]

Looks like a solid vehicle. If it can remain reliable and dependable while making incremental improvements over its lifecycle should be formidable against the likes of the Defender and G Wagen.

[rogermellie]

Still a bit poncy for my liking, they need to strip 80% of the comforts out of it and just build a bog standard basic utility vehicle like an 80s defender, land cruiser, patrol.

[allwheeldrive]

My pampered 1998 Jeep Cherokee has this EXACT steering. It requires some pretty intense attention on pavement, especially at highway speeds. But - just as Grenadier has decided - once you're in the soft/rocky/steep/tight stuff, it is indeed in its element. Moreover, one really DOES NOT want a servo going out when engaging diffs, etc. Mechanical is king when it really must count. I'm thinking a reviewer with some actual serious off-road experience might've had a different take on this rig...

[goibby]

At 70k I'd rather take a land cruiser. But at 50k this starts to become a good option. Can see it becoming a workhorse on safaris, estates and adventure tourism and the likes however proce needs to come down!

[MatthewThirteenFourtyFour]

This is aimed at a very particular buyer. Personally, I think i'm in that category and i'd love all the buttons and steps to go through and I think people like me would love that. I like howthe reviewer talks about charm at the end, I think it's got that and that's something the new defender couldn't live up to. Well done Ineos.

[GarySlegg]

This is what the new Defender should have been!

[amberallen]

Different, would have been nice to see boot space and rear seats though. Also mpg and the price. ~sigh~

[redcloudmc]

Great vehicle. Wrong reviewer sent to test it

[normansuchorzewski]

So glad you mentioned the foot rest. I'm 6 foot 2 and could not get comfortable with that raised rest - Hence I could not buy one. I nearly cried.

[thia]

I have said it before. The reason Land Rover stopped making the old Defender, was because nobody was buying them. Just look at the success of the new Defender.

[asimpleguy]

This is what the new defender should've looked like

[raybede]

Here speaks a bloke who clearly has never been in need of the diff lock low range to get him somewhere where this vehicle is meant to go. I drove Land Rovers in my job as a keeper for years and boy did I need it on two areas of our shoot.

[paulmcgee]

Much better looking than I imagined. Will this sell in France where there's the eco bonus/malus? The bottom of the steering wheel is different from the top so that shows the way and if centred.

[davidives]

Great review.

Old school 4x4 for land owners which probably won’t appeal to the Chelsea Tractor brigade.

I know the reviewer had a walkie talkie in the centre console but, my goodness that dashboard creaked, the Discovery’s, Range Rover’s and Land Cruiser’s didn’t but perhaps it’s because it’s an early press car.

You need to take an exam before figuring out how to lock the differential but at least you don’t have to step outside and lock front wheel hubs as I had to with the Daihatsu F50 ( fantastic off road) I drove some forty years ago!

Prices start at £60k.

I’d rather a long wheelbase Jeep Wrangler.

[willharris]

If I was to choose the Ineos Grenadier or the Land Rover Defender, I would go for the Grenadier over cherry pie. It looks amazing. I love how they’ve tried to capture some of the styling of the old Defender.