INEOS Grenadier

[SparkYellow]

This morning at work I parked next to a boxy SUV that I have never seen before. I memorized something Hambach from the back before walking away. It was an INEOS Grenadier. Not a competitor. Just thought I'd share with you all.

I had no idea where it fits in the automotive landscape so I asked Gemini:

"The "Purist Off-Roader" Hierarchy

If you rank SUVs by their off-road capability and mechanical grit rather than luxury badges, the Grenadier sits near the very top:

Ultra-Luxury Status: Mercedes-Benz G-Class — Millions of tech features, high-end leather, massive street status, and extreme off-road capability that rarely gets used.

The Modern Tech-Overlander: Land Rover Defender — Highly capable, but heavily reliant on computers, air suspension, and complex electronics.

The Premium Mechanical Purist (The Grenadier): INEOS Grenadier — Heavy-duty solid axles, physical buttons, and a hose-out interior, but built with premium BMW engines and expensive components. It is for people who want G-Wagon capability without the flash.

The Everyday Icons: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon / Ford Bronco — Highly capable and customizable, but built as mass-market vehicles with more plastic and lower starting price points..."

This is all very fascinating. I only know Slate, Bolt, and a Ford that's $30K. 🤷

https://www.caranddriver.com/ineos/grenadier

Meta cleaned up my rear view wifi cam shot.

 

[Cubicle23]

Ineos is a product of Sir David Richards, he was also behind the BAR Honda F1 team back when, he is also a huge figure in endurance sports car racing. He tried to buy the Range Rover rights and designs when they were in trouble but couldn't. So he designed his own version of a Defender that is why the similar looks. They use his design but are powered by BMW drivetrains.

 

[Luxrage]

My dad had a Series III Defender growing up and was very much tempted to get one of these, but the BMW turbo i6 turned him away. They are indeed cool. Somehow a local Honda dealer had one for sale used already. You see a few of them from time to time here in North TX.

 

[SparkYellow]

I thought I saw the Infinity logo on the license plate frame of the green one this morning. I only took a quick glance at the back.

How would these end up at a Honda (or Infinity) dealership? 🤷

 

[Trace26]

I see those fairly often when I go to the nice parts of Houston or The Woodlands (Tx). None of which look like they've even been on a country road, much less off-road 😅

 

[SparkYellow]

I see those fairly often when I go to the nice parts of Houston or The Woodlands (Tx). None of which look like they've even been on a country road, much less off-road 😅

So they are still a status symbol? Like "I have G-Wagon money but better taste"? 😬

 

[Cubicle23]

So they are still a status symbol? Like "I have G-Wagon money but better taste"? 😬

Honestly they are not *that* crazy priced. Given that all cars are crazy priced these days, the starting price on a new one is around $75k. More than a lot of things but a GMC Yukon is 70, Sierra HD is 75, etc...

 

[Doctors Do Little]

So they are still a status symbol? Like "I have G-Wagon money but better taste"? 😬

I’ve only seen a couple locally. Look cool and then I wonder who ends up working on them as they are not known as reliable?

 

[cadblu]

Don’t see many of these around here, but they tend to migrate in shopping centers.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

They're extremely popular for sitting in traffic outside Toronto.

 

[E90400K]

My dad had a Series III Defender growing up and was very much tempted to get one of these, but the BMW turbo i6 turned him away. They are indeed cool. Somehow a local Honda dealer had one for sale used already. You see a few of them from time to time here in North TX.

That's too bad, the BMW B58 in the Grenaider is rated as one of BMW's most reliable engines ever, turbo or non-turbo era.

 

[CosmicSlate]

We have a decent number of these around Portland (it probably helps that we have a Sales and Service Center) and I love seeing them parked or on the road. Not one looks like it's seen anything more than a dusty shoulder, but they really are eye catching.

I saw my first one on the street about a year and a half ago and then I sat in a bunch of them at the Oregon Auto Show and I was blown away. To me, they feel like a Breitling Navitimer on wheels.

 

[Cubicle23]

Those familiar with the BBC program The Repair Shop might have seen theirs. They use this for the spin off series Repair Shop on the Road.

 

[Chucker77]

This morning at work I parked next to a boxy SUV that I have never seen before. I memorized something Hambach from the back before walking away. It was an INEOS Grenadier. Not a competitor. Just thought I'd share with you all.

I had no idea where it fits in the automotive landscape so I asked Gemini:

"The "Purist Off-Roader" Hierarchy

If you rank SUVs by their off-road capability and mechanical grit rather than luxury badges, the Grenadier sits near the very top:

Ultra-Luxury Status: Mercedes-Benz G-Class — Millions of tech features, high-end leather, massive street status, and extreme off-road capability that rarely gets used.

The Modern Tech-Overlander: Land Rover Defender — Highly capable, but heavily reliant on computers, air suspension, and complex electronics.

The Premium Mechanical Purist (The Grenadier): INEOS Grenadier — Heavy-duty solid axles, physical buttons, and a hose-out interior, but built with premium BMW engines and expensive components. It is for people who want G-Wagon capability without the flash.

The Everyday Icons: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon / Ford Bronco — Highly capable and customizable, but built as mass-market vehicles with more plastic and lower starting price points..."

This is all very fascinating. I only know Slate, Bolt, and a Ford that's $30K. 🤷

https://www.caranddriver.com/ineos/grenadier

Meta cleaned up my rear view wifi cam shot.

Any off road hierarchy without a Land Cruiser on it is suspect at best.

 

[SparkYellow]

Any off road hierarchy without a Land Cruiser on it is suspect at best.

How did it not make the list?? 😬