Go with the 2026 or the 2025?

[RossL]

Hi folks. I'm waffling like crazy and could use some help from the experienced Grenadier owners. I spent the afternoon in the '26 the other day and the new steering and HVAC are great! I was sold and ready to purchase. However, I really want the Wolfbox mirror and front and rear cameras for better blind spot, better visibility, etc.. All was set, but then I saw the '26 has a camera in the rearview mirror so if I replace it or cover it, I will get a warning message that endlessly pops up saying "limited visibility" on the center screen as well as a warning light. This will drive me crazy.

I then went back to the '25 and thought, ok not all is lost, I'll get one at a significantly reduced price and just do the steering damper with some of the money saved and I'm good. The problem I see here is with the HVAC issues. I live in Maryland and have to have a dependable HVAC. I'm too old and am spending too much money not to.

So what do I do? Do I get the '26 and live without the Wolfbox that after driving for a few hours, I feel I need or do I get a '25 and roll the dice on the HVAC because maybe it's not as bad as I keep reading?

Side rant, I absolutely hate US laws requiring yet another nanny....

 

[ADVAW8S]

It's global laws, not just USA. Your buying global vehicle.

Buy the 25, for the deal. I drive a QM with no rear mirror. I drive it into city and off road. No problems. Driving a 25 SW now as I get my yearly service. Easy to drive and park. When you set you seat up high, you see all corners. Top off the coolant tanks, HVAC works fine.

 

[Tenac]

Try to test drive a 26 for a while or few days. I honestly found nothing really different from the driving or vehicle in general. Sadly I had really good roads with newly painted lane lines so ADAS was not bugging me. I don't think we have anyone who done a wolfbox swap on a 2026 yet and shared information. So might just have to wait around for that if you want. I truly hate driving the loaners without the wolfbox, damn thing should be factory in the station wagon. HVAC is the only really annoying thing I have with my 24 right now, seriously hate it. I leave it alone do absolutely nothing too it and it decides if it will be HOT or COLD on its own. Recently I did the purge process a total of six times over last three days. Still having issues so now it will be going back to the dealer for however long it takes. But today guess what HVAC is working so I assume if it this way when I drop it off it will be welp everything is normal come pick it up. lol Can you deal with that back and forth if so get the pre 26 that fits your needs.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

The steering dampener mod is pure trash. If your stock steering is not good, then ask them to do alignment including caster adjustment

 

[bilhenry]

Hi folks. I'm waffling like crazy and could use some help from the experienced Grenadier owners. I spent the afternoon in the '26 the other day and the new steering and HVAC are great! I was sold and ready to purchase. However, I really want the Wolfbox mirror and front and rear cameras for better blind spot, better visibility, etc.. All was set, but then I saw the '26 has a camera in the rearview mirror so if I replace it or cover it, I will get a warning message that endlessly pops up saying "limited visibility" on the center screen as well as a warning light. This will drive me crazy.

I then went back to the '25 and thought, ok not all is lost, I'll get one at a significantly reduced price and just do the steering damper with some of the money saved and I'm good. The problem I see here is with the HVAC issues. I live in Maryland and have to have a dependable HVAC. I'm too old and am spending too much money not to.

So what do I do? Do I get the '26 and live without the Wolfbox that after driving for a few hours, I feel I need or do I get a '25 and roll the dice on the HVAC because maybe it's not as bad as I keep reading?

Side rant, I absolutely hate US laws requiring yet another nanny....

My wife and I purchased a 2025 in early January, 2026 and had a Wolf Box installed by the dealer - a definite must-have, in my opinion. INEOS was running a financing special - .99% APR three years for 2025s on dealer lots. That made the decision for us to buy the 2025 instead of a 2026. No huge reduction on the MSRP, but the dealer threw in a few extras at no charge or at a discount. Can't comment on the AC yet, but the heater has worked well in the frigid weather the SE US has been having since we took delivery two weeks ago. We have the whistle that folks are commenting on, but it hasn't been distracting. Fingers crossed for a fix in the future.

 

[RossL]

is the whistle coming from the hvac or something else? I haven't seen that one.

 

[LRNAD90]

Are you looking at MileOne in Silver Spring or RDS in Philly? I wonder if you can make a condition of sale for the '25 that they complete the above referenced alignment to driving satisfaction, and demonstrate with an (at least 24 hour) extended test drive of the actual vehicle to be purchased that the HVAC works satisfactorily before taking 'actual' delivery? Maybe secured with a refundable deposit (with refund promise in writing), but requiring it perform to your satisfaction before 'purchasing' it.

Guess this is highly dependent upon the dealer and the level of customer service they aspire to, but seems worth the effort to see if they will agree to such stipulations.

(MileOne and RDS are currently showing a $5,000 cash toward purchase offer on 2025's, guess it is a manufacturer incentive on 2025s)

 

[Jeremy996]

is the whistle coming from the hvac or something else? I haven't seen that one.

Summarising the forum, turning the HVAC fan up to full will get you a whistle, and if you are unlucky the power steering pump may whistle.

 

[TJ D]

Not sure what others have experienced with the steering, but ours got WAY better after maybe 5k miles. I thought it was just me getting used to it, but my wife has only driven it a few times, and she was driven crazy the first time around, reports it feels perfectly normal now. I think there's just a break-in period for it. YMMV

 

[Cncpt2]

26' IMO