My first test drive...

[JP132]

Finally got behind the wheel of a wagon after months sitting on the fence. This is likely common, but my dealership offered I take the vehicle for a weekend.

The biggest takeaway so far - I don't understand the steering complaints. I've never driven a body on frame vehicle or a ball steering system in my life, yet this was a 10-15 minute adjustment before it felt entirely natural.

The turning circle is as bad as everyone says, but this is my only negative so far.

My biggest surprise is how much smaller it feels on the road than I expected. I'm not sure if it's just the seating position and visibility over the hood, but I feel much better oriented than I do in my crossover SUV at less than half the size. This is exciting as I'm primarily a city driver.

Stating the obvious, but anyone considering it absolutely needs to give it an extended go on the road.

I get the hype, can't believe this thing exists!

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Its footprint isn’t large, relative to a lot of other SUV’s. If you’re in the city, you need to be aware of parking garage clearance height. On the steering, I agree about return to center. What I did notice was a little fatigue after driving home from the dealership (about 2 1/2 hrs). I was probably making constant (unnecessary) corrections without realizing it, just because of wheel play. I swapped out the steering damper, but not sure the problem wasn’t me and not the Grenadier.

 

[Dreadfully Distinct]

How far do live from the dealership?

 

[Dokatd]

Steering issues vary widely depending on tire and wheel setup. Also it seems some steering boxes may be tighter than others.

Long distance steering fatigue is a real thing in these if everything isn't just right. Making constant corrections for precision lane holding is one thing, but trying to keep the truck from darting off the road is a whole other thing. And to be clear, the self centering thing is just an annoyance and stupid. Yeah, you can get used to it quick, but it can be dangerous in the first 5-10min if you let someone borrow your truck. So why not fix the problem with a $400 part. The real issue is and was the highway steering manners above 60-70mph. This is also largely resolved with the same $400 part.

 

[landmannnn]

It has never been the slightest issue for me.

 

[DoubleDoom]

Long-distance driving is certainly not an issue for me. I drove over 600 miles in a day and felt very refreshed afterwards. No aches or tiredness.
Steering is a non-issue for me as well. There is no need to make constant corrections. It holds a straight line if you take your hands off the wheel. It also self-centres, albeit very slowly. All these people making micro corrections on the wheel cant realise that you can move the steerlng wheel about an inch in each direction and it won't move the vehicle. So, the videos of people making micro corrections are not actually achieving anything.

However, you do have to get your seating positioning right. I typically like to have the seat low but I find it better to sit higher. This is because the steering column doesn't come back as far as I would like. So, a bit of height and a little closer allows enough bend in my arms. If I drive with my arms straight, I don't like the steering feel as much. Its a car that you have to guide the steering wheel. Not grip it. The more you grip, the less easy it is to drive.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I think @DoubleDoom is right - my “micro-corrections” on the first day were just me learning. I’m not sure the steering damper needed to be swapped - it seemed to make it a little easier but I’m not sure if it was just me. In any case, I don’t really notice anything any longer

 

[Wueste]

I've never had any problems with the steering either. Maybe on the first trip, I picked up the car from the dealer and drove to the petrol station. About 500 metres straight ahead on the road and then the bend into the petrol station, I almost knocked over the petrol pump.
After that I knew how to do it ;-)

I have just travelled another 1800 km to Sardinia. A lot of motorway and some winding roads through the Alps. The steering is not a problem for me, I don't understand the problems with the "micro-corrections".

Maybe because I also drove a G-Wagon for many years before that. My old GE500 doesn't have the most precise steering either.

 

[JP132]

How far do live from the dealership?

It's roughly 40 mins away, city driving.

 

[JP132]

Its footprint isn’t large, relative to a lot of other SUV’s. If you’re in the city, you need to be aware of parking garage clearance height. On the steering, I agree about return to center. What I did notice was a little fatigue after driving home from the dealership (about 2 1/2 hrs). I was probably making constant (unnecessary) corrections without realizing it, just because of wheel play. I swapped out the steering damper, but not sure the problem wasn’t me and not the Grenadier.

I actually did notice some fatigue initially - I was definitely white-knuckling. That went away quickly once I adjusted.

 

[Walter]

Great to see another Canadian owner!

 

[Slov]

Finally got behind the wheel of a wagon after months sitting on the fence. This is likely common, but my dealership offered I take the vehicle for a weekend.

The biggest takeaway so far - I don't understand the steering complaints. I've never driven a body on frame vehicle or a ball steering system in my life, yet this was a 10-15 minute adjustment before it felt entirely natural.

The turning circle is as bad as everyone says, but this is my only negative so far.

My biggest surprise is how much smaller it feels on the road than I expected. I'm not sure if it's just the seating position and visibility over the hood, but I feel much better oriented than I do in my crossover SUV at less than half the size. This is exciting as I'm primarily a city driver.

Stating the obvious, but anyone considering it absolutely needs to give it an extended go on the road.

I get the hype, can't believe this thing exists!

Yea, the extended 24-36 hour test drive I got sealed to deal for me. Any of the complaints I had were not deal breakers and fixable with aftermarket solutions I already knew existed. So, it was pretty much a shoe in. I noticed some fatigue, but it was after like a whole day and half of driving. I am certainly bolting on a aftermarket steering damper, but thats 3-400 bucks. Some guys will adjust the steering stops slight in more and it will improve the radius a big amount. I think that technically voids warrant. So, do that with caution.

 

[abbeyroad]

Just test drove a <50 mile IG today. It was good, but did not like the NVH at stops with the AC running. There's a noticeable sound and different vibration once the AC puts the engine under additional load. There's vibration through the wheel period that's borderline kinda annoying. My other modern cars are silent operation with AC running. Disappointing.

 

[[ Adam ]]

Just test drove a <50 mile IG today. It was good, but did not like the NVH at stops with the AC running. There's a noticeable sound and different vibration once the AC puts the engine under additional load. There's vibration through the wheel period that's borderline kinda annoying. My other modern cars are silent operation with AC running. Disappointing.

Id say if that's your priority, drive a modern car - you'd be unhappy with the Grenadier over time.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

The steering centering behavior is a NONE issue.

 

[jeffmattSD]

I received my Grenadier in December 2023 and I replaced the steering damper early on. It was a major difference. Recently I had a brand new loaner Grenadier and I would not think that they would have installed a new steering damper. Surprisingly the steering on the new Grenadier is very closed to mine that has an aftermarket steering damper. They must have modified the specs on the car. Long distance driving is not a problem with the Granadier because I love the seats. They are the most comfortable seats of any car that I own.

 

[LC0013]

Id say if that's your priority, drive a modern car - you'd be unhappy with the Grenadier over time.

ha ha! The grenadier is a modern vehicle. Pretty sure that AC issue could be sorted out. Not an issue with mine anyway.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

ex

I received my Grenadier in December 2023 and I replaced the steering damper early on. It was a major difference. Recently I had a brand new loaner Grenadier and I would not think that they would have installed a new steering damper. Surprisingly the steering on the new Grenadier is very closed to mine that has an aftermarket steering damper. They must have modified the specs on the car. Long distance driving is not a problem with the Granadier because I love the seats. They are the most comfortable seats of any car that I own.

no changes. The alignment was probably very different. I have compared my stock vehicle against a stock loaner and the steering effort was night and day! Loaner had MUCH heavier steering effort. Service rep said it is like the caster setting

 

[[ Adam ]]

I received my Grenadier in December 2023 and I replaced the steering damper early on. It was a major difference. Recently I had a brand new loaner Grenadier and I would not think that they would have installed a new steering damper. Surprisingly the steering on the new Grenadier is very closed to mine that has an aftermarket steering damper. They must have modified the specs on the car. Long distance driving is not a problem with the Granadier because I love the seats. They are the most comfortable seats of any car that I own.

The steering dampers break in really quickly with use. I've driven four or five and by 500 miles, it's a non issue

 

[[ Adam ]]

ha ha! The grenadier is a modern vehicle. Pretty sure that AC issue could be sorted out. Not an issue with mine anyway.

The Grenadier has many mechanical systems that are rarely used in "modern cars". There has not been another consumer vehicle with a kingpin front axle since an early 90's f250. Even that was considered a semi commercial offering at the time.

The recirculating ball steering and solid front and rear axles are also quite rare as compared to most modern day cars.

When he says "modern car" I assume he means a fully independent suspension vehicle with a power assisted steering rack built for minimum NVH.

That's not a Grenadier.