Hello All.
As I have mentioned previously I am a new grenadier owner since June
I would like to share some thoughts on my experience so far.
I have been following this forum for the last 2 years and it is amazingly informative and I feel that if I have any issues down the road, I'll be well supported (outside of main dealer).
I own a small tree surgery and landscaping company. We run 4 vehicles and towing trailers is a daily part of out business. Most of our loads are approaching 3500kg.
To start, I think what Ineos has done over a few years is remarkable. They have successfully produced a extremely capable 4x4 with no prior experience of manufacturing cars. They employed the best designers and genuinely made the best car they could with the best components. Prior to buying a grenadier, I discussed with an uncle of mine, who has spent his entire career in the engine rebuilding industry, as to what current engine he would put in his 'perfect' 4x4. He mentioned the Fiat 3lt, Mitsubishi 3.2, Toyota 3lt D4D (as long as the injector washer issue is sorted) and the BMW 3lt diesel as about the best there is. I don't need to go through the rest of the components in the car...
Prior to the Grenadier, I had 2 ford rangers and several pajero's. We still have a 2012 pajero in daily use and it is very reliable with 350k km.
The mechanical build quality is remarkable. I am very impressed with the size of the chassis and the corrosion protection.
I had a 2019 Ford ranger 3.2 which was very reliable (except for poor brakes) and traded it with 180k km for a 2024 Ford Ranger 3lt diesel. Well, I did not like it at all. I felt it was a car dressed up as a 4x4. A lot of warranty issues in the year I had it. Incredibly heavy on diesel and the 10sp gearbox was horrible. It always skipped 2nd so would give you whiplash going to 1st from 3rd. It actually stalled the engine going up a very steep hill with a trailer. Stayed in 3rd until stall...It did not inspire me to keep it outside of warranty.
So I looked into a Grenadier. Our dealer had a 1 year old with 12k km with every extra possible so we did a deal. It also had no ADAS which was a nice bonus.
I have previously owned 7 4x4's from different brands since 2004 and all have given some issues. Here are my negatives and positives on the grenadier to date.
Fuel
Much lighter that my 2024 Ford Ranger and about the same as our Pajero 3.2 and previous Ranger 3.2.
Is ok on diesel with normal driving. The penalty for putting a trailer behind is less that others.
It is however unforgiving on diesel over 120km/hr...
Towing
This is a big one for me as there is a tri-axle ifor williams behind every day. It is in another level compared to any other 4x4 I have owned. I think this is due to a few reasons.
No. 1 The hitch is very close to the rear axle. This drastically reduces the pitching and swaying compared to other vehicles. I think this is one of the most important factors for stability.
No. 2 The hitch is at a correct height. It drops approximately 50mm with 250kg and the trailer stays level.
No. 3 Weight. You can't beat a heavy tow vehicle.
No. 4 Front axle. The steering feel on independent front suspension vehicles changes with reduced load on the front. The grenadier steers the same with or without a trailer.
No. 5 Engine/gearbox. It is just sublime. Always in the right gear. Will pull hard before changing down. Just perfect.
No. 6 Option to use low range with center unlocked. Use this all the time for reversing trailers up hills on hard surfaces. Fantastic.
No. 6 Mirrors. Negative here. They are too small for reversing a trailer around a left corner (I am RHD).
Offroad
We often have to travel across farms gaining access to cut trees and then pull wood or box trailers of wood chip out. Usually the difficulty's are at the gaps between fields where there are often deep ruts from tractors and are frequently wet. Momentum is your friend in these situations. The grenadier feels like it can do this day in day out. The pajeros, ford rangers feel like the odd time is enough.
However I find though that the traction control is not great. Even in off road mode and center locked it will cut engine power when wheels spin. You need to engage the lockers. Unfortunately my rear and therefore front locker have stopper working recently. I think they are not picking up that the center is locked. I had to leave the car in neutral 2 weeks ago when I got stuck in mud with a trailer and pull it through with a tractor. My service manger is looking into it...
Onroad
I Love it! I am finding it hard to drive anything else. I think that modern electric steering is too sensitive. Once you relax and resist over correcting you will find that the grenadier drives straight. A bit like driving a 50km tractor on the road. Look far ahead and don't move the steering as the cab (and your head) bounces around. I drove 5000km in France over 2 week with 2 days of 900km. No Problem. It is remarkable that it drives so well considering its makeup.
I think that mainstream modern vehicles are removing us from feeling the road and what is happening. You have to drive the grenadier. I find I am less sleepy on long drives. Once I got it, I turned off the front sensors. It helps to keep me clued in and not use beeps to judge what is going on.
The cabin is pretty well sound insulated even on motorways. Completely acceptable.
Other Stuff.
Our Irish dealer is fantastic. They completely fixed the bluetooth issue. The firstly service was painless. Always at the end of the phone.
Heating and cooling. It will cool you in hot weather and warm you in cold. But it is a bit of a enigma. I have it figured out and it works. Could be better but ok.
Bluetooth. Was terrible, nobody could hear me until my dealer sorted it out 100 percent.
In general I prefer buttons over touch screen in a car.
Radio...rubbish!
In Conclusion
I worked in Australia for a couple of years in the early 2000's. On farms there I drove landcrusiers and patrols. I loved how honest they were. Built to do a job and nothing more. I feel the grenadier is the same. It is expensive, but, when you compare it to the other options, I think it is great value. I drive around 45k km /year and I feel that the grenadier has the build quality to last 10-15 years easily. I feel that ineos have genuinely (with the exception of the HVAC and radio) have made the best 4x4 possible. I hope to change our pajero for a 2 seater version soon.
If you want to pull trailers and leave the tarmac on a regular basis, it is the vehicle for you. If however, you are a manager of a large landscaping company, beating up and down motorways with the odd trailer behind, go buy the new landcrusier or defender. I think that people who find that something like the HVAC system is driving them mad may be in the wrong vehicle..
Well that's how I feel after a few months of ownership.
Tom
I
As I have mentioned previously I am a new grenadier owner since June
I would like to share some thoughts on my experience so far.
I have been following this forum for the last 2 years and it is amazingly informative and I feel that if I have any issues down the road, I'll be well supported (outside of main dealer).
I own a small tree surgery and landscaping company. We run 4 vehicles and towing trailers is a daily part of out business. Most of our loads are approaching 3500kg.
To start, I think what Ineos has done over a few years is remarkable. They have successfully produced a extremely capable 4x4 with no prior experience of manufacturing cars. They employed the best designers and genuinely made the best car they could with the best components. Prior to buying a grenadier, I discussed with an uncle of mine, who has spent his entire career in the engine rebuilding industry, as to what current engine he would put in his 'perfect' 4x4. He mentioned the Fiat 3lt, Mitsubishi 3.2, Toyota 3lt D4D (as long as the injector washer issue is sorted) and the BMW 3lt diesel as about the best there is. I don't need to go through the rest of the components in the car...
Prior to the Grenadier, I had 2 ford rangers and several pajero's. We still have a 2012 pajero in daily use and it is very reliable with 350k km.
The mechanical build quality is remarkable. I am very impressed with the size of the chassis and the corrosion protection.
I had a 2019 Ford ranger 3.2 which was very reliable (except for poor brakes) and traded it with 180k km for a 2024 Ford Ranger 3lt diesel. Well, I did not like it at all. I felt it was a car dressed up as a 4x4. A lot of warranty issues in the year I had it. Incredibly heavy on diesel and the 10sp gearbox was horrible. It always skipped 2nd so would give you whiplash going to 1st from 3rd. It actually stalled the engine going up a very steep hill with a trailer. Stayed in 3rd until stall...It did not inspire me to keep it outside of warranty.
So I looked into a Grenadier. Our dealer had a 1 year old with 12k km with every extra possible so we did a deal. It also had no ADAS which was a nice bonus.
I have previously owned 7 4x4's from different brands since 2004 and all have given some issues. Here are my negatives and positives on the grenadier to date.
Fuel
Much lighter that my 2024 Ford Ranger and about the same as our Pajero 3.2 and previous Ranger 3.2.
Is ok on diesel with normal driving. The penalty for putting a trailer behind is less that others.
It is however unforgiving on diesel over 120km/hr...
Towing
This is a big one for me as there is a tri-axle ifor williams behind every day. It is in another level compared to any other 4x4 I have owned. I think this is due to a few reasons.
No. 1 The hitch is very close to the rear axle. This drastically reduces the pitching and swaying compared to other vehicles. I think this is one of the most important factors for stability.
No. 2 The hitch is at a correct height. It drops approximately 50mm with 250kg and the trailer stays level.
No. 3 Weight. You can't beat a heavy tow vehicle.
No. 4 Front axle. The steering feel on independent front suspension vehicles changes with reduced load on the front. The grenadier steers the same with or without a trailer.
No. 5 Engine/gearbox. It is just sublime. Always in the right gear. Will pull hard before changing down. Just perfect.
No. 6 Option to use low range with center unlocked. Use this all the time for reversing trailers up hills on hard surfaces. Fantastic.
No. 6 Mirrors. Negative here. They are too small for reversing a trailer around a left corner (I am RHD).
Offroad
We often have to travel across farms gaining access to cut trees and then pull wood or box trailers of wood chip out. Usually the difficulty's are at the gaps between fields where there are often deep ruts from tractors and are frequently wet. Momentum is your friend in these situations. The grenadier feels like it can do this day in day out. The pajeros, ford rangers feel like the odd time is enough.
However I find though that the traction control is not great. Even in off road mode and center locked it will cut engine power when wheels spin. You need to engage the lockers. Unfortunately my rear and therefore front locker have stopper working recently. I think they are not picking up that the center is locked. I had to leave the car in neutral 2 weeks ago when I got stuck in mud with a trailer and pull it through with a tractor. My service manger is looking into it...
Onroad
I Love it! I am finding it hard to drive anything else. I think that modern electric steering is too sensitive. Once you relax and resist over correcting you will find that the grenadier drives straight. A bit like driving a 50km tractor on the road. Look far ahead and don't move the steering as the cab (and your head) bounces around. I drove 5000km in France over 2 week with 2 days of 900km. No Problem. It is remarkable that it drives so well considering its makeup.
I think that mainstream modern vehicles are removing us from feeling the road and what is happening. You have to drive the grenadier. I find I am less sleepy on long drives. Once I got it, I turned off the front sensors. It helps to keep me clued in and not use beeps to judge what is going on.
The cabin is pretty well sound insulated even on motorways. Completely acceptable.
Other Stuff.
Our Irish dealer is fantastic. They completely fixed the bluetooth issue. The firstly service was painless. Always at the end of the phone.
Heating and cooling. It will cool you in hot weather and warm you in cold. But it is a bit of a enigma. I have it figured out and it works. Could be better but ok.
Bluetooth. Was terrible, nobody could hear me until my dealer sorted it out 100 percent.
In general I prefer buttons over touch screen in a car.
Radio...rubbish!
In Conclusion
I worked in Australia for a couple of years in the early 2000's. On farms there I drove landcrusiers and patrols. I loved how honest they were. Built to do a job and nothing more. I feel the grenadier is the same. It is expensive, but, when you compare it to the other options, I think it is great value. I drive around 45k km /year and I feel that the grenadier has the build quality to last 10-15 years easily. I feel that ineos have genuinely (with the exception of the HVAC and radio) have made the best 4x4 possible. I hope to change our pajero for a 2 seater version soon.
If you want to pull trailers and leave the tarmac on a regular basis, it is the vehicle for you. If however, you are a manager of a large landscaping company, beating up and down motorways with the odd trailer behind, go buy the new landcrusier or defender. I think that people who find that something like the HVAC system is driving them mad may be in the wrong vehicle..
Well that's how I feel after a few months of ownership.
Tom
I
