The Grenadier Utility Wagon, a rugged 4x4, bold, practical and up for a challenge. The Grenadier was built for the off-road experience, designed to provide a distraction-free driving experience, with everything you need to get the job done, no matter where the road or beaten track takes you. Eager to test the Grenadier's limits, I journeyed across counties from Sussex to Wiltshire, making a stop at Longleat Safari Park and Go Ape.

The Grenadier launched back in July 2022, drawing inspiration from the original Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Class. The Grenadier boasts a distinctive boxy exterior, a full box-sectioned ladder frame, Carraro beam axles, heavy-duty coil suspension, and permanent four-wheel drive with a centre differential lock. With an engineering-led approach to the Grenadier’s exterior design, the philosophy behind the 4x4 is functionality over form. While the Grenadier is impressive to look at, the focus is more on how the Grenadier performs. Behind every detail is purpose and practicality, all connecting seamlessly to aid the task at hand, whether it’s loading, off-roading or simply driving. 

The INEOS Grenadier is highly customisable and purpose-built, with exterior features including a two-speed transfer case, galvanised steel body, front and rear skid plates, and LED auxiliary high beam lights, it's well-equipped for off-road adventures. The Grenadier also offers practical features such as 30/70 split rear doors, a central control system, an overhead control panel, a full-size spare wheel, and convenient off-road and wading modes. Roof rails, roof protection strips, and front and rear towing eyes, making it a versatile and purposeful vehicle for various tasks. The Grenadier has an automatic transmission and is powered by a BMW three litre, six-cylinder engine that offers smooth power and plenty of torque.

Exploring with the Grenadier

Hitting the road for a weekend away is much more enjoyable in an impressive motor like the Grenadier. Loading up the boot, getting the snacks in place, music turned up and the air-con blasting, spending hours in the car has never felt so good. As someone who is used to driving smaller hatchbacks, stepping up into the Grenadier was quite a shock to the system. It's an undeniably large and bulky vehicle, however, I was pleasantly surprised with the driving position, controls, and ease of getting going. From the moment I pulled away from INEOS Grenadier in Portsmouth, I felt in control and confident, excited to see what the Grenadier can do. The 4x4 is certainly a head-turner, it has a shape and presence that feels familiar, but at the same time feels new and unique. The classic safari-style shape and subtle colours strike a chord, but it’s the distinctive LED headlights that draw you in, telling you this is something different. Practicality and function sweeps across the exterior, you feel purpose in each feature.

While it’s not necessarily built for speed, the Grenadier can climb from 0-62 mph in 8.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 99 mph. The Grenadier is confident in its abilities, it’s able to accelerate quickly on motorways and keep with the flow and pace of traffic. It’s comfortable sitting at both high and low speeds. Whether you’re on the motorway, off-roading, or driving down country lanes, the Grenadier handles every road and every obstacle with precision and ease. You might look at its size and sheer road presence and think it’s not equipped for the everyday, heading down a narrow country lane could instantly lead to doubt, but Grenadier adapts and performs, giving you confidence with each hill, tight turn and fast moving motorway. 

The Grenadier's handling, although more stripped-down than what most drivers are accustomed to, impresses with its unique characteristics. The steering requires a firmer grip and precise control, particularly when manoeuvring through tight corners. This is due to the absence of self-centring, which forces you to consciously control the steering wheel with a little more purpose. A subtle shift in what you’re used to, but quickly adaptable, not impacting the driving experience. The overall experience inside the Grenadier is elevated by the higher seating position and provides an excellent view of the road ahead, enhancing your confidence and awareness as the driver. Rear-view visibility may vary depending on the chosen version, and can be limited, but the generously sized wing mirrors and front windscreen offer extensive views to make up for what you may be lacking in the rear-view. 

The Grenadier at Longleat Safari Park

First stop for the Grenadier: Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, Hampshire. We looked the part in the dark green Grenadier, which looked right at home with the lions, tigers, rhinos, and wildlife of the Drive-In Safari. Our safari expedition kicked off with the enchanting landscapes of Deer Park and Wolf Wood. Choosing to forgo Monkey Mayhem based on the advice of safari guides regarding potential mischief we continued our exploration into the realms of Tiger Territory and Lion Country. While we only encountered a lone tiger, the presence of a lively lion pack up close was very exciting. Navigating Cheetah Kingdom and Big Game Park in the Grenadier, we marvelled at the sight of majestic giraffes, robust rhinos, and a herd of zebras. Sadly, Anne the Elephant was peacefully napping and missed her anticipated star appearance. Venturing into the main park, we sought out crocodiles, meerkats, and koalas. We hopped on the Boat Safari and checked out the impressive gorilla pad, a dozing hippo, and fed lunch to a group of noisy sea lions. The Grenadier eased through the Safari Park, its stop/start function came in handy for stopping to admire the wildlife on the way through. Its quiet, and adaptable nature allowed us to cruise comfortably, while the rugged look and off-roading prowess became an attraction in itself, with other park-goers admiring the Grenadier as she sat parked in all her glory.

Purpose, Function, Redefined

Stepping into the Grenadier is refreshing, with a blend of old-school simplicity and cutting-edge modern functionality. In today's high-tech car world, we're often spoiled with an array of driver-assist features which undeniably enhance convenience but can also detract from the pure driving experience. Behind the wheel you’re fully in control, each journey is conscious and every action purposeful. It’s a real driver’s car.

Despite its dedication to traditional values, the Grenadier doesn't shy away from integrating intuitive driver features and robust off-roading capabilities. Inside you'll find a classic turn-key ignition to start the engine, front seats that require manual adjustment, side mirrors that need manual positioning, and a traditional handbrake. These old-school elements blend seamlessly with modern conveniences such as CarPlay integration, automatic stop/start functionality for slow moving traffic, and readily accessible USB charging ports. While the Grenadier focuses on being a no-nonsense SUV, built for off-roading. The everyday driving experience is enhanced by those little touches, being able to plug your phone in for a quick charge, accessing your device, your music and maps all in one place. There is also plenty of storage for smaller items such as phones and wallets, and secure space for drinks and bags with no compromise on aesthetics or practicality. 

Grenadier in the Trees 

Next stop for the Grenadier: Go Ape in Hampshire. The beaten track took us soaring into the treetops for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Go Ape is certainly not for the faint-hearted and those with a fear of heights. After a quick safety briefing we were let loose in the trees, clipping, climbing and crossing the courses in the Treetop Challenge. From high crossings, wobbly bridges, free-fall Tarzan Swings and fast zip wires, each course progressively gets higher in the trees. You're in charge of your harness and clips, securing yourself to each course and obstacle - it really is the ultimate challenge both physically and mentally, providing sheer thrills and the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Comfort, Utility, Practicality

Unlike many SUVs that leave you to choose between rear passenger comfort and boot space, the Grenadier eliminates the need for compromise by providing a generous 2,000 litres of load space. The boot space was perfect for loading our luggage and keeping the cabin free of clutter and maximising the comfort of any passengers jumping into the car. The feel of the interior is comfortable yet practical, you don’t feel as though anything is missing, everything you need is right at your fingertips. In the Grenadier you feel at home, you feel in control, you have everything you need at hand. Its purpose is clear and perfected to the last detail.

Inside, it's a roomy haven for all passengers, making it perfect for both work and leisure. It effortlessly balances off-road ruggedness with elevated refinement. Passenger comfort takes precedence over load space, offering ample knee room for second-row passengers. As a larger SUV, you enjoy a commanding seating position with excellent front and side visibility, giving you back confidence at such a height, ensuring a comfortable drive on every road. 

The INEOS Grenadier: A True Trailblazer

Driving the Grenadier may take some getting used to for those unfamiliar with larger vehicles, but it's worth it once you do. It’s elevated and refined, giving you the confidence to explore and the tools to back it up. Its robust and purposeful design not only turns heads but also makes every drive an enjoyable experience. Whether driving down motorways or venturing across the country, this vehicle adds an element of fun and excitement to your journeys, making it much more than just a means of transportation. The Grenadier is an SUV to feel confident in, it paves the way for a new generation of 4x4s, setting a new standard with its rugged reliability, unwavering performance, and a design that exudes both capability and style.  Taking the Grenadier away was an excellent choice, it fulfilled every need and exceeded all expectations. From the busy motorway to the winding roads of Wiltshire, every road, every hill, every turn tackled with ease. The Grenadier instils a confidence in the driver that is addictive. The Grenadier defines what confidence in a 4x4 should look like, it’s a true trailblazer in the world of off-road vehicles - there’s nothing else quite like it.

The INEOS Grenadier is here.