2024 Ineos Grenadier Station Wagon Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
Missed out on buying a classic Land Rover Defender when it was first released? Fear not; Ineos has you covered with the Grenadier. Currently offered in “Station Wagon” SUV and “Quartermaster” pickup body styles, the Grenadier is made at the former Mercedes-Smart facility now owned by Ineos in Hambach, France. In addition to the Defender, rivals include other rugged luxury vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Lexus GX.
What’s New
- Station Wagon and Quartermaster body styles
- A 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- A full box-sectioned ladder frame chassis
- Off-road focused coil suspension
- Front and rear Carraro beam axles
- Permanent four-wheel drive
- Center locking differential
- Two-speed transfer case
- Front and rear skid plates
- Available raised air intake
- Available access ladder and interior utility rails
- Available auxiliary battery and accessory switch panel
- Available compass with altimeter
- Fieldmaster’s safari windows
- LED headlights
- LED auxiliary high-beams
- A 12.3-inch display
- Overhead control panel
- Full size spare wheel and tire
- A “Toot” button for a secondary polite-sounding horn
- Off-road and wading drive modes
- Pathfinder off-road navigation tech
- Recaro seats
- Available Smooth pack with convenience features
- Available Rough pack with front and rear differential locks and BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires
- Intelligent speed assist
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Driver drowsiness detection
- Standard 17-inch steel wheels
- Available 18-inch alloy wheels
What We Think
Developed to fill a retro-Defender-shaped hole in the global off-roader market, the 2024 Ineos Grenadier has arrived in the United States to conquer trails, mountains, and upscale shopping centers. Powered by a BMW-sourced turbocharged inline-six engine and stuffed with 4x4 technology, the Grenadier represents a blend of old-school ruggedness and new-age sophistication.
We first sampled the U.K.-spec versions of the Grenadier in Trialmaster and Fieldmaster trims in the Scottish Highlands, traversing snowy, icy, and muddy terrain. Trekking from Inverness to Glasgow, we didn’t hear a squeak, rattle, or creak during our entire journey. That said, this is clearly not a crossover—this is a true old-school-style SUV, to the benefit of off-road capability and to the detriment of on-road refinement and performance. You have to love off-roading or the Grenadier's looks to cope with its difficult driving manners on pavement.
Messy ergonomics further compromise the Grenadier's drivability. Although the switchgear overhead looks cool, it’s difficult to find the controls you need quickly. Since there’s no gauge cluster, you must rely on the central display for all of the vehicle's most important functions. Climate functions are placed on the center stack with a series of buttons, knobs, and toggles. In front of the driver, there’s a small area on the dash that can display warning lights. Those craving a less-digital driving experience will enjoy the Grenadier’s switch-heavy and physical-control focused cabin.
While we don’t expect the 2024 Ineos Grenadier to replace the off-road SUVs that are popular daily drivers, we won’t be surprised when these retro throwbacks start popping up at Cars and Coffee events or on Rodeo Drive. Ineos appears to have nailed the formula for what its intended audience craves.
Performance and MPGs
Although a diesel engine is offered abroad, Ineos will only offer the U.S.-market version of the 2024 Grenadier with a BMW-sourced B58 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline inline six-cylinder engine. This unit develops 282 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Every version of the SUV or truck comes equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. A center-locking differential and a two-speed transfer case are standard, but models equipped with the Rough pack receive front and rear differential lockers and BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires. In MotorTrend testing, the Grenadier's 0-60 mph time measured at 8.9 seconds. Grenadier SUVs are EPA-rated at 15/15 mpg city/highway, and Quartermaster trucks return 14/14 mpg.
A Smaller, Electric Grenadier: The Ineos Fusilier Could Have Been Great
Ineos Automotive planned on introducing a new model to its lineup in the form of the Fusilier, which was meant to abide by the same off-road focused principles and retro design as the Grenadier. Equipped with a choice of all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains, the Fusilier would have slotted under the Grenadier as a slightly smaller SUV.
The Fusilier would have worn a boxy silhouette, but its profile will be more aerodynamic, aided by chamfered edges to improve airflow. Other planned features included active grille shutters and flush side steps also aim to improve efficiency. LED lighting, a visible B-pillar, and a four-way roof strengthening structure would have served as visual tie-ins to the Grenadier. Ineos planned on confirming powertrain details in fall 2024, but the project is currently on hold. If the Fusilier ever does arrive, we expect the BEV model to ride on a skateboard platform and make use of dual-motor all-wheel drive. Range should be rated in the 250-mile ballpark if Ineos does resume development.
How Does Ineos Service the Grenadier?
One of the greatest challenges new automakers face is creating a service network for its vehicles. Ineos recommends owners make an appointment once every year with one of its partners across the United States. At the time of this writing, there are 19 locations identified on Ineos’ website, covering most regions of the country. However, these service centers are largely situated in major metro locations, so Grenadier ownership could be a bit of a challenge for those living in less popular regions of the country. Ineos offers a five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty covering all parts, components, paint, and anti-perforation. Those who opt to fix their own Grenadiers at home have access to 3D interactive manuals and support from the Ineos Automotive technical team.
Safety Ratings and Features
Due to homologation requirements for the United States market, the Ineos Grenadier comes equipped with a suite of active safety tech, albeit a limited one. Lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera are standard. A speed limit warning and a driver drowsiness detection system are also in place. We’ve heard reports that these systems are overactive and chime aggressively unless disabled through a complicated journey into the infotainment screen menus. Having only driven global versions of the Grenadier that don’t have any of these systems, we’ll need to wait to get our hands on a U.S.-spec example to verify these claims ourselves.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Ineos Grenadier is sized competitively with popular luxury off-road vehicles, offering more cargo space behind the second row than the Land Rover Defender 110 and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. However, the redesigned Lexus GX is more spacious in both dimensions.
Payload and Towing
The 2024 Ineos Grenadier is meant for work, and both Station Wagon SUVs and Quartermaster trucks boast impressive figures. Station Wagon models can haul up to 1,684 pounds while Quartermaster models can hold 1,889 in the bed. Towing capacity maxes out at 7,716 pounds for both variants. Those figures put it in league with the 2024 Jeep Gladiator, which is rated at 1,725 pounds of hauling and 7,700 pounds of towing. The Grenadier Quartermaster’s pickup bed measures 61.5 inches long and 63.7 inches wide. Its tailgate is 51.3 inches wide and can support up to 500 pounds when open.
Technology
Ineos equips the 2024 Grenadier with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth connectivity, one USB-A port, one USB-C port, and a 12V socket are all standard. Second-row USB ports are available as well. On the steering wheel, there’s a cheerful “toot” button for greeting pedestrians, cyclists, or saying hello to other drivers in cool rigs. Adding the Smooth pack equips additional tech such as front parking sensors, power heated side mirrors, heated windshield washer jets, puddle lamps and ambient door lighting, and auxiliary charge points. Most controls within the cabin are physical buttons, located on the center stack or overhead on a fighter-jet style panel.
Which 2024 Ineos Grenadier Trim Level Is Best?
Ineos offers the Grenadier as the Station Wagon SUV or as the Quartermaster pickup truck. Each is offered in three trims: base, the off-road focused Trialmaster Edition, and the more luxurious Fieldmaster Edition. Station Wagon variants start around $73,000 while the Quartermaster begins over $88,000.
We’d stick with the Station Wagon body style and spring for the Trialmaster Edition trim, which would set us back just under $81,000. This model comes standard with the Smooth and Rough packs for maximum on- and off-road capability and convenience. Trialmaster and Fieldmaster models carry the same price tag, so we’d rather have maximum 4x4 tech over leather seats and carpet floor mats. Spring for upgraded versions of the Quartermaster and those trims carry an eye-watering price tag of about $96,000.
