2024 Ineos Grenadier launch review

Market newcomer Ineos has gathered all the right ingredients to cook up a winner, but does it have the knowhow to pull it off?

The Ineos Grenadier’s origin story is the stuff of movies. It goes that Sir Jim Ratcliffe – CEO of chemical giant Ineos and one of the richest people in Britain – was out with some friends one night, lamenting the lack of choice of no-compromise utilitarian off-roaders in the new-car market.

A few pints and scribbles on a five-pound note later, and the idea for the Grenadier – named after the pub in which it was conceived – was born. Fast forward through six years of development, and Ineos’ first ever car has arrived down under.

2024 Ineos Grenadier range and pricing

For now, the Grenadier is offered solely in a wagon body style. ‘Utility’ wagons come with only two front seats, while ‘station’ wagons add a second row of three seats.

The Grenadier had an introductory price of around $85,000, but multiple price adjustments since now see the range open at $109,000 for standard utility wagon, and $110,000 for standard station wagon configurations.

Upgraded Trailmaster ($122,000) and Fieldmaster ($123,000) editions offer additional off-road capability and luxury respectively.

A Grenadier Quartermaster ute is expected to arrive in mid-2024, with a cab chassis built on the same underpinnings to follow. Ineos also has plans to continue growing its dealer and service network in regional Australia.

2024 Ineos Grenadier styling and tech

The Grenadier has a strong presence, drawing many admiring glances during our test drive loop through regional Victoria. Its aggressive, boxy shape is classic Land Rover Defender through and through.

Ineos has done away with a conventional instrument cluster in favour of a 12.3-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. Its bespoke interface combines a responsive touchscreen and tasteful design to provide clear information on everything from entertainment to oil temperature and altitude.

Recaro seats front and rear provide great ergonomic support. The interior is a comfortable place to be, but feels a bit ‘parts bin’ in places – the font, colours and backlighting on the BMW gear selector not matching the buttons surrounding it, for example.

An almost comical number of dials and switches fill the dash and overhead control panel, allowing drivers easy access to a variety of settings including off-road and wading modes, differential locks and downhill assistance. For good or bad, the interior satisfies some boyish desire to sit in a fighter jet.

BMW-sourced 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines, available in 210kW/450Nm turbocharged petrol and 183kW/550Nm twin-turbocharged diesel configurations, power the Grenadier.

These are mated to eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmissions with bespoke Tremec transfer cases providing permanent four-wheel drive. Braking is taken care of by Brembo, and suspension tuned by Eibach keeps the ladder frame chassis and live axle suspension planted.

Trailmaster Editions get 17-inch steel wheels, a snorkel, exterior utility belt (for fitting ancillary equipment), and a rear access ladder (only available on station wagon body).

Fieldmaster editions get 18-inch alloy wheels, openable glass safari windows in the roof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, carpet floor mats and an upgraded sound system.

A ‘smooth pack’ comes standard on Fieldmaster and Trailmaster editions, adding an alarm and immobiliser, front parking assistance, heated exterior mirrors and washer jets, a lockable stowage box, puddle lamps with ambient door lighting, and auxiliary charge points.

These luxuries can be had on standard trim for $2320. Front and rear differential locks and uprated BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres can be bought in a ‘rough pack’ – a $4105 option for Fieldmaster and standard trims, but standard on Trailmaster.

Another option is a front winch, integrated and hidden inside the front bumper. Suspension springs are specified based on this option, which is a nice touch.

Scottish White paint comes as standard, with five premium solid colours available for $995, and four metallic options for $1360. Contrast roofs can be had in white or black ($1860), and the rear ladder powder coated red or grey ($1555).

How does the 2024 Ineos Grenadier perform?

The Grenadier is happy wherever you put it. The ride is competent on sealed roads, but it still offers plenty of performance on the bumpy stuff. Both powertrain options are smooth and more than adequate on- and off-road.

The diesel shines on brutal terrain, while the petrol needs a moment longer to build revs and find torque, but the petrol accelerates faster on-road and is not lacking for pull even during towing. Considering the engines cost the same, there isn’t really a ‘wrong’ choice here.

Steering feel is very light. It makes for effortless steering on tarmac, but can create a sense of disconnect on unsealed and bumpy surfaces. The downhill assistance is refined and the transmission mapping works well, not fighting with the traction control system.

Cabin insulation and instrument usability is good overall. There are shortfalls – such as front seat recliner knobs being tight up against the B-pillar, and a gymnast’s flexibility required to reach the handle to get into the rear seats – but these are minor in the scheme of a clean-sheet approach from a company that’s never built a car before.

The 2024 Ineos Grenadier at a glance

The Grenadier is good, make no mistake about it. If the model fails anywhere, it’s in the consistency of its design philosophy and not in performance. Following multiple price hikes, however, the Grenadier finds itself in strange territory.

It’s not quite as utilitarian as a 70 Series LandCruiser and has less standard kit than a Defender, all while costing more than each. What’s more, these opponent nameplates are tried and tested – a stripe the Grenadier hasn’t earned yet.

Where the Grenadier justifies its price and market position is in personality. Its in-the-metal presence is menacing and it can be optioned into a near-endless array of unique combinations. If performance is equal, the Grenadier is the more charming and charismatic option.

Pros: Great on- and off-road performance; uniqueness and charisma

Cons: Price point favours the competition