Ineos Grenadier 2024 | Is this the best 4x4 by far?

[@steveallan3306]

Nice review, but its a Trialmaster ( not a Trailmaster) named after the Belstaff jacket.

[@damienmorris2903]

It may well be the best ever (let's hope) but let's be realistic about that. Vehicles don't earn a reputation with just one model, especially when they are brand new to the market. In Australia Toyota earned their reputation by offering exceptionally well designed and manufactured off road vehicles from the mid 1950s. Let's say that's going on for 70 years. We live in Western Australia and have just returned from a trip to the Kimberley, passing through the mining region of the Pilbara on the way. In this country you see predominantly Toyoto commercial 4WDs - Hi Lux and 70 Series in the mining related areas and Hi Lux and 70 series, as well as 60, 80, 100, 200, 300 series for everything else, including towing caravans. Absolutely there are other makes, but Toyoto dominates the market. Pretty well all are diesel. Many privately owned have done phenomenal mileage in the roughest, hottest country imaginable. I welcomed the arrival of Grenadier because I fear that so called off road vehicles are becoming so soft that one day we will be battling to drive across a lawn, much less the outback of Australia. Much of the softness I attribute to the suburban 4wd enthusiast who really wants an aggressive looking vehicle with the performance attributes of a sports car and the luxury of a sedan. And the effete motoring writers go on about cornering, cup holders, sound systems, heated seats, acceleration etc, all of which are utterly useless when you are driving, a thousand ks from anywhere, on a road which is trying its best to shake you and the car to pieces, in 45 degrees in the shade. So I welcome the Ineos and I sincerely hope that in 20 years time its original owners are saying things like: "this thing will go on forever". I also hope that servicing will match Toyoto and parts will be sensibly priced. I will finish by saying the second hand market is a good guide when 4wd drives are about 10 years old. If the depreciation is breathtaking it's usually a sign that reliability is an issue and or parts and servicing are prohibitive. For example Range Rovers. I write this from a Western Australian perspective only and happily acknowledge that in other parts of the world very different variables may apply.

[@Evoque786]

100% many reviewers are running ahead of themselves. If your life depends on it then Toyota Land Cruiser is the only choice.. robust , reliable. Parts for Ineos will not be readily available, bmw is no where near reliable as Toyota and zf gearbox need to prove its self in tough harsh markets. What will you do if your stranded in -30 in snow or +50 heat in deserts 🏜️? You will die !! So if you want real peace of mind but Toyota

[@terranowe]

From my own experience and those echoed from others it seems very well made in terms of solidity etc. It's made to be practical to service and fit accessories to too, which is nice. I would say in that respect its actually better than the toyotas. Reliability certainly is yet to be proven though. Thats a tough one. But toyotas, despite their good qualities are not without their issues. They come woefully ill-equipped in their base form. Toyota will argue they dont spec them up cos they know owners want a blank canvas to work from but in may cases thats utter BS.. Eg.. seats.. The seats in 70 series are garbage for long distance. Noone in their right mind would complain if they came from teh factory with recaros or even falcon xr seats that end up being put in them after market. Ditto crap wing mirrors, electrical fittings, exterior side storage rails, external power sockets, and tie down points and capability for dual batteries and a million more things that the grenadier has a basically standard. Spec a 70 series up to grenadier standard and youre probably looking at 120k.. At which point you still have way less power, less refinement, safety and a whole lot of other things.. Where toyota is very strong is in the service network and familiarity in out of the way places. The design itself isnt that amazing with all its faults, alternator placement, track issues, piss poor headlights/handbrake/ergonomics/safety blah blah blah but if it stuffs up it can be fixed quickly in most places. My question is if the ineos is 100000 dollars better than a good 80 series, which is now 25 years old and probably 25k. Still solid axle /independent susp/straight 6, decent size with in my opinioin some better features, like the design of the rear doors amongst other things.. Doesnt seem it. You are paying a lot to get not that much more really, although I do actually quite like it. I just wished someone would make something like a proper hiaces sized van version of the ineos.. Mines, camper cos and outback ambos would buy all they produce

[@damienmorris2903]

@@terranowe At the end of the day nothing matters except durability and the Toyotas have that in spades. Remember when they used to rubbish Toyotas when talking about Range Rovers - well put it this way, RR are as rare as hen's teeth in the bush. In ten years we will know the truth. As far as mods go I have a 2006 Troopy, it's been everywhere and is completely unmodified - as were my 80 and 60 series and two FJ40s before that.

[@allanfstewart]

As you said it's different elsewhere. In the US we cannot get the model. 70 or other mentioned models. The new land cruiser model in the US model is not comparable and if Toyota's 2024 Tacoma is an indication of the future, Toyota will ruin its reputation with its use of 3 dollar an hour Mexicans. It's a sad state.

[@SaltShack]

@@allanfstewartBlaming Mexicans and or Mexico is foolish and ignorant. They produced the previous generation without any similar issues. Engineering, training and management determine quality not geography any Toyota Engineer will tell you that. And I can almost imagine that any Toyota Engineer that blames the Mexican line worker for the quality issues they are temporarily experiencing would be marched to a Courtyard somewhere Tokyo and watched while he commits seppuku or whatever the Japanese 21st century corporate equivalent is.

[@PeterFearon-g8q]

Great review, probably one of the best & I’ve watched them all. One year in and my UK diesel is always a min of 24 mpg and on a run hits the 27 as claimed, sometimes a little higher . Regarding the early niggles Ineos have been and are pro active . The only one that I was aware about was the software update that sorted all the chimes and false warning lights. All the others 7 from memory are tech bulletins where Ineos are as you say fine tuning elements of the wagon . I have no regrets about switching from my 2018 G wagon to this amazing vehicle . I’ve also owned many landrover products over the years.this is the sweat spot for me, Magna have built an upgraded W463 G wagon and stuck the best 3.0 diesel in it for Ineos. The only thing I don’t like is the defender like front end, I’ve put covers over my spot lights & that has help on the eye. And yes why they couldn’t have popped a bespoke top on the ZF/BMW gear lever is beyond me. I will say the lever operation is spot on. I know they have jumped up in price since I bought mine, but there’s no way they could build this wagon for initial RRP pricing . To ease the large price I believe with 50% down you can get 0% on the balance . 2 door short wheel base would be cool and being cheaper would fly out the showroom doors . Great balanced review .

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Appreciate that

[@kcobmsoakley]

One of the best reviews of the Grenadier so far. Waxed eloquence.

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Really appreciate that - put a lot of work into the script.

[@allanfstewart]

It's a Trial master, not a trail master. The raised air intake is not for wading. I stop listening to experts who quickly show they are not.

[@SaltShack]

I have owned our Grenadier Trialmaster for nearly five months now and have a Quartermaster on order, so I can with some authority say, Excellent Review. Far better than most but still failed to give attention to the more unique features that add greatly to the cost but also achieve the durability you did highlight more than adequately. Such as, double Cardan front axles and full floating rear axles. True geared non clutch transfer case and steering components that appear more suitable to a 1 ton truck among other things. Thank you.

[@RootBeerGMT]

Man these look awesome. Did a test drive. Would love to find on in 2026 with 15-20k miles for 48-52k.

[@SaltShack]

@@RootBeerGMT Good Idea. Don’t blame me if I root for a little less depreciation.

[@aussiebattler7789]

Your comment about the large fuel tank is interesting as here in Oz it is considered to small , and ia a bit of a issue that has probably effected sales , it needs a 150 or 160 litre tank to for outback travelling .A company here has solved the problem to some extent by removing the large rear muffler and fitting a 70 litre tank . It is an aproved and certified modification under Aus design rules . I have had mine for over 7 months now and love it now that I have had the steering sorted , castor adjusted to max spec and all of the other adjustments although in spec brought closer together along with the fitting of a bilstein disco2 steering damper with a small spacer on one end . A kit is available for the Grenadier but you pay double the price for the inclusion of the spacer which any machine shop could make in less than 5 minutes .

[@davematthews255]

Good info on steering thanks . First test drive last w’end and hearing your steering adjustments is a improvement is good news

[@NigelNaughton]

Excellent and thorough review.

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Glad you liked it!

[@carmenvanhook5756]

2 Door One is Needed!!!!!!!

[@Pandora882]

Engine and transmission is too long for a 90

[@kosiekoos9408]

Smooth as butter presentation.

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Which brand 😂

[@SamanthaHAgastin]

🎉 eloquently portrayed. The Grenadier is a masterpiece Off-roader.

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Appreciate it!

[@hedydd2]

Six footers in the second row have a massive disadvantage in that their eyes are positioned above the top of the door glass, so to see further than a few metres they will be forever bending forwards. The driver has another handicap in that on right hand drive there is a massive intrusion into their foot area which is apparently to accommodate the BMW engines’s exhaust. Then there’s the lack of some safety equipment, some of which are impossible due to the lack of electric steering linked to the management computer.

[@SaltShack]

Lack of safety equipment? Thank goodness. The first time my jeep wrangler JL thought it could drive itself better than me, though it maybe correct, when the car was doing exactly what I intended it to do, nearly sent me over a curb and into oblivion. I promptly turned those features off.

[@justis9244]

Excellent review very thorough and easy to watch, not some bangle wearing hyperactive circus act slamming the accelerator to the firewall doing endless 0 to 100 speed runs.

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulwilson7234]

Excellent review 👌

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Really appreciate your feedback

[@akabld208]

hi bro, I wanna know the rear axle is full floating or half?

[@mikefoster7085]

Full

[@jeremiahcharleschen8631]

It looks quite good

[@saschaOK2309]

OK👍

[@EscOverland]

What are the safety features?

[@Pandora882]

It’s bigger and heavier than your car

[@mini2nut67]

Not a stitch of carpet in the passenger cabin. That’s old school and I love it. 2024’s start at $73k in America, $75k for a 2025 base version.

[@loum.4377]

Every video I say on the Factory has no Smart Cars being made. I see only G550's coming off the build line.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

You're looking at the Magna factory not the Ineos factory

[@윤진-v5p]

nice

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

thanks

[@kevinfrancis2245]

The Grenadier is a 4WD-NOT an SUV. And the transmission is by ZF-NOT BMW.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

or Station wagon ,4wd , utility

[@user-is9sf5wo5s]

nothing says rugged & utilitarian like an ipad for a speedometer

[@anthonyfarnan5935]

Diesel would only get you 20 mpg in real world? Maybe if you’re towing a trailer.

[@cameronduveax282]

25k overpriced and quite frankly it’s not good enough.

[@mikefoster7085]

North Americans have been fed on a diet of relatively cheap locally made vehicles, the government adds a large tax to any imported vehicles as a protectionist measure. Build quality is far superior to anything NA can produce.

[@van123446]

needs to go on a big diet.

[@lordmclovin3694]

It handles the road like a busted shopping cart. The steering has a one second delay and needs to be cradled like a puppy on the 5th of November.

[@Danni696]

I highly doubt many of these will see dirt… Instead they will stay in nice garages and used by rich housewives to pick up children after school

[@Pandora882]

They are great in the dirt

[@hedydd2]

Some farmers may buy them. Very few though. More farmers will buy them used.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

Rich housewives would drive it for a week and then give it back. There are 100 or more vehicles better suited to this. Mine is my daily driver for work and play. My only vehicle. You would only drive this as an unnecessary daily driver if you had a few other vehicles or if it was a work vehicle and you had another personal vehicle. Unless of course you preferred this kind of vehicle and were probably a previous owner of an original Landrover or 70 series Landcruiser.

[@RootBeerGMT]

Let’s hope-because those hot moms in yoga pants will miss the amenities of their Denalis and Escalades. They will trade them back in after a year or two--which is good for those of us willing to pay 48k or so in 2026!

[@toyotaprius79]

For the more cents than braincells driver, a highly competitive market

[@steveallan3306]

Do you live in a remote location? Do you overland in exotic climes? I guess not...maybe you think a hybrid RAV4 is a contender?

[@clarksonoceallachain8536]

Suzuki hustler will do well

[@robertom883]

NOT an SUV! Great review though.

[@andypearce7479]

You mentioned the accessory switch panel, but not all the presiding done for the internal and external fitment of accessories, including the 4 deutsch plugs on the roof rails which are ideal for things like work lights.

[@roberthahn3710]

1970s G wagons ARE VASTLY SUPERIOR to any modern Mercedes. The new Benz fail at about 100k miles and cost a fortune to keep running.

[@michaelyapp6099]

Very thorough and comprehensive review. Thank you

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hedydd2]

Cararro! Famous for tractor front axles and utility tractor transmissions. Unfortunately this design of front axle swivels and double UJ’s to make CV joints limit the maximum steering angle possible. This limits manoeuvrability. The live front axle also makes it impossible to use superior rack and pinion electric steering with all its advantages, making the use of imprecise and mechanically complex recirculating ball steering which also inflicts the possibility, indeed probability of wheel shimmy or ‘death wobble’ when cornering at speed off road and possibly on road as well in certain conditions. There is a ridiculously low hung steering damper fitted, obviously in an attempt to limit this shimmy. It is unlikely to be completely successful in this. The rear doors open in the wrong sequence. Isuzu got this right back in the early 1990’s with their Trooper. The small door opening first, with the large spare wheel makes for a narrow tunnel access through the narrow door which makes it virtually useless. The large door should open first, which would give useable access. It’s undoubtedly strongly built but is it any more reliable or durable, convenient or capable than any rival including pickup trucks which honestly have as much comfort and legroom, even in the second row?

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

I am guessing you don't own one. Nothing wrong with the steering after about a week of driving it is fine. Turning circle takes a couple of weeks to get used to. Electric rack & pinion and independent suspension are much better for many things as you say, and there are about 100 different vehicle options already available in that configuration. The rear doors open perfectly if, like me, you reverse into a parking space often against a wall or garage door. Open the small one 100% then swing open the large one until the spare tyre hits the wall. This provides a huge opening in a very confined space and the spare tyre protects the door from scratches and dings. I have 8 months and 22,466 kms on the clock, mostly on rough country and gravel roads but also 110 kmh motorways. I just did 3,200 Kms+ over 6 days and it was so comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

[@Pandora882]

Those are the 18 inch wheels,

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

I find the best way to climb in is grab the gutter with right hand (RHD) step right foot up onto step followed by left foot. This leaves you standing full height on the step. Then just step left foot in and sit on seat. Swing right leg in. I then reverse this for getting out. Easier and saves damage to the seat bolster.

[@davidthomas9267]

old school with a new school price!!!

[@CarandDrivingCarReviews]

Indeed