Ineos Grenadier - long-term review

I could have slept in a shepherd’s hut. There would have been less steps to negotiate. This is relevant when a pub has been involved. But no, have roof tent, must use it. It was good part of the reason for going to Yorkshire and Northumberland, a few autumnal nights away to test the new tent and awning.

Yep, the Grenadier, which arrived wearing no more than a pair of roof bars, now seems to have sprouted enough outdoors kit to make Bear Grylls envious. And you know what, the more kit I fit to the Grenadier, the more sense it makes. It does lend itself fearsomely well to the role of being an adventure truck.

So let’s go through what’s on top: 1) spare wheel. Because the back door looks better without it and is lighter to shut, plus it got in the way of carrying bikes on the towbar. 2) Storage box. Waterproof and lockable case, but hard to get at. 3) Rhino Rack Hardshell roof tent. Magic piece of kit, really nicely made. 4) Batwing awning. Again, great quality and easy to use. 5) Lightbar. Because lightbars make everything better. Especially when you have to flick chunky switches on the overhead console to operate it.

I was therefore very excited about my trip to the north of England, and churned merrily up the M1. That is the right word to describe progress in the Grenadier, by the way: it churns along, there’s a fair bit of commotion, it doesn’t sit as steadily as regular road-biased SUVs.

In sympathy with the Grenadier, the weather was similarly unsettled. Storm Ashley came battering through bringing 50mph winds and no chance of unfurling the awning (the pictures you see of it out were taken days later, back at home). The tent was no issue to erect, but because the Grenadier is so tall, I just needed to do a bit of scampering up and down the ladder. Release two latches and the lid rises, then you pull out the ladder and use the leverage to flip over the floor and raise the tent. A few metal rods insert to hold the window awnings in place and I was done. I did do all of this before heading to the pub…

I slept tight up top that night. Yes, the rain drilled against the hard case, but inside that’s insulated with a quilted lining and the tent material is thicker, tougher, more canvas-like than other roof tents I’ve used. No flapping. It also has a built in mattress and LED lighting – all you need to do is connect a USB battery pack. Rhino Rack is an Australian brand, its products designed for long periods in the Outback. You can tell. In Australia it costs £1,865, the awning about half that, which looks good value to me. UK prices aren’t easy to come by at the moment – importing might be your best bet.

All this added weight up top has made the Grenadier’s approach to cornering even more ponderous. There’s more tilt and sway, you have to turn more progressively or the weight swings out of rhythm and you find yourself sawing at the wheel. Fuel economy doesn’t seem to have suffered much at all though – but then it couldn’t really fall any further, could it? The frontal area has increased a bit, as has weight, but as I’ve said before it’s the drag in the drivetrain that’s causing the diesel to have to work so hard.

I get around 23-24mpg going steadily. I’ve heard from friends with the hybrid petrol who are getting 17-18mpg. Double ouch. The engine has freed up a bit since it first arrived with less than 2,000 miles on the clock. It spins a bit more easily now, feels more bedded in. It’s still not nearly as smooth and quiet in here as we know this engine can be under the bonnet of a BMW, but the rumble and vibration is somehow reassuring.

I’m enjoying using it, which is key. Some frustrations will never vanish – the turning circle and steering weight when manoeuvring make it a total pain around town, the delayed step-off when pulling out of junctions is stressful too. But get it out into the back of beyond and it’s exactly the companion you want. And it encourages this behaviour. A few weeks ago I drove to the depths of Snowdonia and did a night bike ride to a remote bothy, just because I could. I could have done that same trip in any number of other cars, but the burly Grenadier gives off strong “I’ve got your back” vibes.

The important thing to remember is that this isn’t for everyone. It’s not a conventional or convenient family SUV. But it does get people talking and it has reminded them that proper burly 4x4s have a role. OK, that role maybe more of a leisure one than a proper workhorse these days, but that doesn’t diminish the Grenadier’s capabilities.

Thanks to: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges (www.woldsedge.com)