Auto Express (UK)

Ineos has done something many thought it wouldn’t be able to: it’s launched an all-new car company with a credible first model. Scored against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brief as the ultimate 4x4 in the mould of the original Defender, the Grenadier would be close to the full five stars. But with most vehicles going to what Ineos refers to as ‘lifestylers’, the on-road manners and lack of creature comforts bring compromises that the car’s coolness may not be enough to overcome.

View: https://youtu.be/xJ1BffwThd4

 

[Wayneos]

I'll add the article here too:

New Ineos Grenadier 2023 review | Auto Express

We get behind the wheel of the Ineos Grenadier - the spiritual successor to the original Land Rover Defender

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[Earthwatcher]

You can tell these journos get together, very similar comments to those in Autocar. Play on steering wheel is a bit of a concern. I don’t want it drifting all over the road.

 

[Jeremy996]

You can tell these journos get together, very similar comments to those in Autocar. Play on steering wheel is a bit of a concern. I don’t want it drifting all over the road.

They are comparing it with a rack and pinion SUV; a steering box will never match one without taking liberties with other characteristics.

 

[beanohallett]

Sounds a good review, the steering is neither here nor there but we will soon see - hopefully a grenadier coming my way soon[ish] and will be interesting to see how our views marry up against those of the paid professionals

 

[Tinki]

I get the feeling this reviewer in not the target market for the grenadier . He expected more of a range rover .all the creature comforts he mentions which are missing i would not even look for them . I will hold comments regarding the steering until i actually drive one .

 

[Earthwatcher]

The key thing is to test drive one yourself and make your own mind up. I had no problems with the pedals, didn’t notice the wipers as it wasn’t raining and am still awaiting an on-road test drive. I won’t be comparing it with a truck, though, or my old Jeep which I barely remember, except that it was brilliant off road and solid on road; I’ll be comparing it with the new Defender which is similarly priced and which is one serious off-roader, even though some here insist on calling it an SUV. Yes, the mechanics are different, yes there’s more to go wrong on the Defender, but personally I can’t fault its robustness no matter how much we like to stick the boot in to JLR these days. A Jimny is a highly effective off-roader (I had one for a while) but it’s crude on-road. We read these reviews and we debate here amongst ourselves, but ultimately the ownership experience will depend on personal needs, personal experiences and personal opinions. Having said that, no-one wants to hear mates trashing their new car. I bet Ratcliffe is feeling a bit sour this morning after splurging a great deal of dosh among those ingrates in the motoring press.

 

[DaveB]

The key thing is to test drive one yourself and make your own mind up. I had no problems with the pedals, didn’t notice the wipers as it wasn’t raining and am still awaiting an on-road test drive. I won’t be comparing it with a truck, though, or my old Jeep which I barely remember, except that it was brilliant off road and solid on road; I’ll be comparing it with the new Defender which is similarly priced and which is one serious off-roader, even though some here insist on calling it an SUV. Yes, the mechanics are different, yes there’s more to go wrong on the Defender, but personally I can’t fault its robustness no matter how much we like to stick the boot in to JLR these days. A Jimny is a highly effective off-roader (I had one for a while) but it’s crude on-road. We read these reviews and we debate here amongst ourselves, but ultimately the ownership experience will depend on personal needs, personal experiences and personal opinions. Having said that, no-one wants to hear mates trashing their new car. I bet Ratcliffe is feeling a bit sour this morning after splurging a great deal of dosh among those ingrates in the motoring press.

If you are comparing it to a new Defender on road then your decision is already made.
Chalk and cheese you will go for the new Defender and so you should,.

 

[AnD3rew]

If you are comparing it to a new Defender on road then your decision is already made.
Chalk and cheese you will go for the new Defender and so you should,.

I know it’s becoming a bit oversaid and cliched but the more I hear the more I am convinced that the Grenadier actually is the new Defender Land Rover should have made and the New Defender is what Land Rover should have replaced the Discovery with. That’s no shade on the New Defender, I have had 3 Discoveries and love them. I always was tempted by a Defender but they were just a bit too uncomfortable and leaky for me to get over the line.

 

[Earthwatcher]

If you are comparing it to a new Defender on road then your decision is already made.
Chalk and cheese you will go for the new Defender and so you should,.

Have done already . But I’m greedy and want both, still holding my nerve on the Grenadier. Getting both under the critical eye of my missus has been some operation I can tell you as she’ll be driving them and she has one hand on the purse strings. I plan to run both side-by-side for a year in my own long term test, to see how it goes. Key questions for me: is it a good dog kennel, can it hold a pile of fishing gear, can it do long motorway runs comfortably and also handle the tank tracks on Salisbury plain, can I hose it out, and, of course, will it impress my good-for-nothing mates. I see them as cheese and cheese, one cheddar and one camembert that’s been left on the side for a while.

 

[DaveB]

Have done already . But I’m greedy and want both, still holding my nerve on the Grenadier. Getting both under the critical eye of my missus has been some operation I can tell you as she’ll be driving them and she has one hand on the purse strings. I plan to run both side-by-side for a year in my own long term test, to see how it goes. Key questions for me: is it a good dog kennel, can it hold a pile of fishing gear, can it do long motorway runs comfortably and also handle the tank tracks on Salisbury plain, can I hose it out, and, of course, will it impress my good-for-nothing mates. I see them as cheese and cheese, one cheddar and one camembert that’s been left on the side for a while.

You are sounding a lot like the new Defender to me.
Not a bad thing ......just a fact.

 

[Earthwatcher]

You are sounding a lot like the new Defender to me.
Not a bad thing ......just a fact.

You’re probably right, I love that air suspension and all the cubby holes, but I assure you it’s proper mucky and I’ve taken it places I’d once only take the Jeep. Having said that, the Grenadier is an interesting package, looks a solid off-roader, and I’m sure it’ll succeed.

 

[DaveB]

You’re probably right, I love that air suspension and all the cubby holes, but I assure you it’s proper mucky and I’ve taken it places I’d once only take the Jeep. Having said that, the Grenadier is an interesting package, looks a solid off-roader, and I’m sure it’ll succeed.

We all agree i am sure it is amazing on and off road.
Get to know Vera and Christian though, you will need their help eventually/often
As @emax said a long time ago.
Landrover turns good drivers into good mechanics

 

[klarie]

A couple of months ago

You’re probably right, I love that air suspension and all the cubby holes, but I assure you it’s proper mucky and I’ve taken it places I’d once only take the Jeep. Having said that, the Grenadier is an interesting package, looks a solid off-roader, and I’m sure it’ll succeed.

A couple of months ago . just when I picked up my Disco from garage where they replaced the drive chain. - There was a guy with an M .Class Mercedes .. Air suspension ..
Fron left gone. - Just did a bang.. . The guy complained.. - Fixing is costly . needs a garage ..
No I like the old school suspension . no matter. what.
Survived now since 1981 with normal suspension.. The remaining years driving will do also conventional suspension.. Of course there is always something to complain.
I will surely miss some gadget from Disco such as Dead Ankle Indicator, . Rear X traffic detector, Heated steering wheel, auto lights, dimming, and some other ..
But.. seriously - at the end.. its me who is responsible.. pay attention what is going on on road.. All convenient assistants will not take away my responsibility as driver.

 

[globalgregors]

You’re probably right, I love that air suspension and all the cubby holes, but I assure you it’s proper mucky and I’ve taken it places I’d once only take the Jeep. Having said that, the Grenadier is an interesting package, looks a solid off-roader, and I’m sure it’ll succeed.

Lots of Land Rover owners on here… will be interested to hear a direct comparison.

 

[MilesD]

Cant fault our old 2005 disco 3, 200000 miles, still pulling 5-6 tonne overloaded trailers up the fells, regular baths launching boats and 1000mile round trips up north, air suspension bliss, Peugot TDV6 bullet proof, fully fold flat rear superb for transporting heavy long S**t . New LR Def's vv plush, but I enjoy being in charge of driving, not quite ready to take coffee with the scrummy mummies and last person I know who washed out the interior of his 6mth old def incurred a £20k bill for new wiring loom .

 

[G-Man]

I get the feeling this reviewer in not the target market for the grenadier . He expected more of a range rover .all the creature comforts he mentions which are missing i would not even look for them . I will hold comments regarding the steering until i actually drive one .

So far they're the only reviewer to lead with a photo of a shiny Grenadier, everyone else has gone for the muddy version

 

[G-Man]

So far they're the only reviewer to lead with a photo of a shiny Grenadier, everyone else has gone for the muddy version

Actually strike that comment, they're all using the same stock photos by the look of it

 

[crimson]

Actually strike that comment, they're all using the same stock photos by the look of it

Little disappointed with the reviews so far. Had hoped for more serious 4wd in-depth reviews and pictures that represent this. I'm getting over the marketing hype and control that INEOS has placed on the media and reviews to-date. I would signup in a heartbeat to most of your reviews, knowing they would be different, in-depth and most important relevant to my interests.

Continuing this thought, where there is a problem there is an opportunity. I've come up with an idea (needs some work through). Could we create a crowd sourced YouTube channel of our own, with approved posters from this forum. It could be dedicated to providing reviews, maintenance, upgrades, short and long trips etc. Essentially a video channel for the Grenadier community produced for purpose. Through this forum we could organise content, plan group treks and put together some amateur videos. I know I would sign up in a heartbeat, and look to contribute in some awesome adventures of my own.

Perhaps my lack of sleep is getting to me, or simply the lack of news on "my Grenadier" that's driving me to this point.

 

[globalgregors]

Little disappointed with the reviews so far. Had hoped for more serious 4wd in-depth reviews and pictures that represent this. I'm getting over the marketing hype and control that INEOS has placed on the media and reviews to-date. I would signup in a heartbeat to most of your reviews, knowing they would be different, in-depth and most important relevant to my interests.

Continuing this thought, where there is a problem there is an opportunity. I've come up with an idea (needs some work through). Could we create a crowd sourced YouTube channel of our own, with approved posters from this forum. It could be dedicated to providing reviews, maintenance, upgrades, short and long trips etc. Essentially a video channel for the Grenadier community produced for purpose. Through this forum we could organise content, plan group treks and put together some amateur videos. I know I would sign up in a heartbeat, and look to contribute in some awesome adventures of my own.

Perhaps my lack of sleep is getting to me, or simply the lack of news on "my Grenadier" that's driving me to this point.

Instagram using hashtags might be the go, noting images and short-form videos will make it easier for folks to participate than YouTube‘s long-form video only format.