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

 

[C-Mack]

Any reports if the TPMS system works any better on the 26’ and allows you to rotate tires yourself without dealer reprogramming?

 

[GrenAF]

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

Can you expand on this? I thought the steering damper mod was the holy grail to "fix" the steering on these. I've even read some people say the 25s with steering mod felt more "normal" than a stock 26. Genuinely curious. Would love to hear that with the damper mod and the turn stop mod, that the 25 will drive as good, if not better than the 26.

As an aside, I test drove a grenadier for the first time last weekend... a 25 and 26 back to back. My wife even had a go right after me. First in the 25 and coming out of my first right turn out the lot, i kept going right toward the curb. My wife's turn, she did the same but then overcorrected too hard and almost went into the center lane. After that we were fine. Next in the 26, drove just like a normal car. Also, pulled both the 25 and the 26 into a tight parking spot... missed the 25 but the 26 felt natural.

 

[Sammyd]

If you are seriously considering a 2025, test drive the specific vehicle for an hour or two to make sure there are no issues with HVAc or steering rack noise. If it has issues move on to another 2025. There are plenty on the lots. Don’t sign the paperwork till you’ve test driven the car thoroughly and it is to your satisfaction.
Look at the HVAC poll on this forum. About 50% of people have persistent issues, on new cars.
The 2026 seem to have the 2 most common complaints addressed. But a comparably equipped will cost you 7-10k more due to the lack of discounts and price hikes.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

In John Brindell's Agile Offroad '26 review, it really seemed like the rear view mirror had anew ADAS camera that tracked the driver. Which to me was annoying. If it can be turned off permanently, fine. If it can't be turned off this could be a new irritant and preclude installing a Wolfbox mirror. I really appreciate the value of my Wolfbox mirror as I like to see what is behind me.

Everything else was fine, but minimal improvement. If you can get a great discount on a '25, the Fox steering stabilizer is $625. But I have not seen one in real life.

 

[RossL]

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)

MileOne but RDS is only 2 hours away. MileOne let me test drive a '26 for the afternoon and evening last week and it went great. I was sold till the wolf box issue. If you cover the new mirror you will get a notice that pops up every 10 seconds or so on the bottom left of the screen that says "limited visibility". You also get a yellow warning light on the dash. I just asked the dealer if you get these notifications if you disable ADAS all together and will report back what I hear.

Thanks all for the tips on the '25. The discounts do make it very appealing, but the HVAC thread in particular is what had me concerned.

 

[RossL]

If you are seriously considering a 2025, test drive the specific vehicle for an hour or two to make sure there are no issues with HVAc or steering rack noise. If it has issues move on to another 2025. There are plenty on the lots. Don’t sign the paperwork till you’ve test driven the car thoroughly and it is to your satisfaction.
Look at the HVAC poll on this forum. About 50% of people have persistent issues, on new cars.
The 2026 seem to have the 2 most common complaints addressed. But a comparably equipped will cost you 7-10k more due to the lack of discounts and price hikes.

Is there a way to check the steering rack noise? Like full lock driving slow?

I agree, the $7-10k is a great starting point for addons

 

[LRNAD90]

Is there a way to check the steering rack noise? Like full lock driving slow?

I agree, the $7-10k is a great starting point for addons

No Steering rack, it is the pump noise people have issues with (me too, its ridiculous and makes it sound like a cheap hunk of crap). It is very evident, roll down a window and turn the steering a bit and it will be blatantly obvious..

 

[Gasguzzler]

The wolfbox made me feel seasick. I do not recommend buying one. You will get used to the stock mirror

 

[Sammyd]

ADAS is the standard now. All Lexus vehicles are sold with it. We have it on my wife’s 2024 RX. Not really much of an issue, unless you like to text while driving. I test drove a 2026. No Issues! Everything worked as it should.

The HVAC is a biggie for me. Don’t want to deal with it on a 30* or 95* day. Don’t want to keep purging and adding coolant indefinitely. It just needs to work. Not too much to ask for.

You may be one of the lucky 50% which has a properly functioning HCAC on a 2024/3025.

 

[abbeyroad]

Let's please get a few things clear.

Firstly, the IG doesn't have a steering rack. It's got a steering box and it's the actual power steering e-pump that makes this high pitched squealing noise on many vehicles. IG claims it's normal operation. I'm curious if all 2026s come silent. Btw, I have zero complaints about how my 2024 drives and steers BONE STOCK.

I'm however one of the lucky ones with both the steering pump squeal and HVAC blowing hot when AC on full cold issue. Mine is currently sitting at the dealer getting a "valve" replaced to address my infrequent and random HVAC prob.

ADAS has always been mandatory for all MYs (NA). On the 2026s, someone correct if wrong, there are additional ADAS delights like the intervening lane drift braking feature which absolutely sucks. From what I gather, you cannot permanently turn this off along with the in cabin driver awareness camera; yet another useless feature. The inane speed limit excess clicks became user choice persistent via software update which was released sometime last year.