The Ineos Grenadier Exists Because Land Rover Said No
Every review tells some version of the same origin story: billionaire Jim Ratcliffe tried to buy the old Land Rover Defender's production line in 2016, got turned down, and spent £1.3bn building his own uncompromising alternative instead.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Grudge Turned Into a £1.3 Billion Car Company
Most disagreements over a factory purchase end with a shrug. Reviewers keep noting this one ended with an entirely new car manufacturer, built specifically because its founder thought the modern Defender had drifted too far from what a proper off-roader should be.
Specs at a Glance
| Body styles | Station Wagon, Quartermaster pick-up, Commercial (van-plated) |
|---|---|
| Engines | BMW-sourced 3.0L six-cylinder petrol (282bhp) or diesel (246bhp) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic, locking centre diff, standard 4WD |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited mileage |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear praised the Grenadier's unrepentant boxiness as a deliberate design choice to maximise interior space and off-road wheel travel, describing it as having genuine character distinct from both the Defender and G-Wagen it's clearly inspired by. They rated it as amazing off-road, durable and refreshingly analogue, though found the huge thirst for fuel, awkward steering and ponderous road manners real, unavoidable trade-offs of that off-road focus.
Autocar
Autocar's road test found real-world petrol economy of 17.9mpg giving a range of around 350 miles from the 90-litre tank, and measured a 59.5-metre stopping distance from 70mph — long by passenger car standards but genuinely competitive for the class, beating a 2019 Mercedes G-Class they'd previously tested. They detailed a genuine 2026 steering overhaul, giving a variable-ratio recirculating-ball system that's quicker just off centre while retaining the extra sensitivity needed for serious off-road use, and praised the brand's "right to repair" ethos, publishing workshop manuals for owners wanting to do their own maintenance.
🎬 Watch: 2026 Ineos Grenadier First Drive (same video, watch above ↗)
What Car?
What Car? found the 2026 steering updates a genuine improvement over the old car's vague, constantly-correcting setup, though noted the driving position takes real adjustment, with pedals set well to the right of the steering wheel and a chunky footrest limiting left-leg comfort. They rated the automatic gearbox and genuinely powerful brakes as clear advances over an old-school Land Rover Defender, and confirmed there's no seven-seat option, unlike the Land Rover Defender, Discovery or Toyota Land Cruiser.
🎬 Watch: 2026 Ineos Grenadier First Drive (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
Both engines are priced identically — the choice between petrol and diesel is purely about character, with the diesel's extra torque favoured for serious off-roading.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenadier Petrol Trialmaster / Fieldmaster | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo petrol (BMW), 4WD | 282bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV | 8.6s |
| Grenadier Diesel Trialmaster / Fieldmaster | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel (BMW), 4WD | 249bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV | 9.8s–9.9s |
Trialmaster leans off-road with locking diffs and all-terrain tyres standard; Fieldmaster adds leather trim and a more road-friendly setup, with the Rough Pack's diff locks optional. A handful of exterior colours are offered. Check Ineos's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Genuinely exceptional off-road capability
- Robust, durable, proven BMW-sourced engines
- Improved 2026 steering meaningfully easier to live with
- Refreshingly analogue, unfussy driving experience for those who want it
Weak points
- Poor fuel economy on both petrol and diesel engines
- Awkward driving position with offset pedals
- Ponderous, unrefined road manners versus the modern Defender
- No seven-seat option available
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who genuinely need serious off-road capability and want an analogue, mechanically straightforward alternative to the modern Land Rover Defender. If most of your driving happens on tarmac, every review agrees the Defender remains the more comfortable, more refined everyday choice.
More Ineos Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Ineos Grenadier review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)