Is the INEOS Grenadier any good on the road?

Words and images by Matt KiddundefinedThe INEOS Grenadier was unquestionably designed and engineered with off-road work and play in mind. And in that regard it is an exceptionally capable, practical, purpose-built vehicle that ticks nearly every box.

As for looks, yes there is a nod to some of the best features of vehicles from that of the last few decades, but the final design of the boxy behemoth settled upon by INEOS’ design team, headed up by Toby Ecuyer, has a purist, rugged elegance to its facade that is instantly likeable.

Indeed, it goes in contrast to that of most manufacturers whose designs are becoming evermore curvy and aimed at city folk. Just by looking at a Grenadier my mind wants to journey across the world to backdrops of the Highlands of Scotland, African plains, Chilean Patagonia and everywhere in between.

In the driving seat of the INEOS Grenadier

Once you’re behind the wheel, again it is very clear that every millimetre has been considered for users who spend their lives entrenched in the countryside with weathered hands and specific, no-nonsense needs. This is delivered in what I'd most liken to a cockpit that strikes a fine balance between usability and being utterly cool. Of the passengers I have transported in it, every single one has been awestruck by the dashboard and, even more so, the switches adorning the overhead panel.

But for you and I who, likely shoot and fish up to a dozen or so days a year, holiday to remote parts of the UK and Europe twice a year if we’re lucky, we don’t spend nearly enough time off-road to justify putting in an order for one. Unless, surely, it is equally capable on the road as it is off it?

Alas, in contrast to the Ultimate Sporting Roadtrip which Digby Taylor and I completed earlier this year, I was to go about my daily business as a photographer for five days without muddying the tyres (too much) in order to answer the question.

The competition

Before I share my impressions, I feel it makes a lot of sense to know my current vehicle choice and uses. Getting to a location despite the weather is paramount, and I do a vast number of miles in a short space of time (11k work miles in five months). Day-to-day I drive a relatively powerful, mid-sized SUV by a German manufacturer which I got in September.

It has a four-wheel drive system that descends from that which became famous in the 1980s for its impressive rally wins and has been highly useful in getting about on shoots and in the snow that we had this winter. The main trade-off is that it is rather thirsty and a little smaller than ideal.

It has an 8-speed automatic, with a throaty turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine which gets up to the speed limit quickly and effortlessly, making overtaking when safe a breeze. Its handling is very light, the driving position is great, and I've been very happy with it.

A head-turner

And so, last Thursday I took delivery of my loan vehicle by artic lorry. In a deep Selá Green, aptly named after a fabled Icelandic salmon river, with only 3.5k miles on the clock it was head-turning indeed.

First things first, I turned the key in the ignition and took it into central Leicester to stock up on some gastronomic supplies ahead of a busy Northern Shooting Show and a product photo shoot in Yorkshire and, if time allowed, a little spot of trout fishing. A pretty standard week.

As mentioned, I have driven the vehicle before but mostly off-road, and on the tarmac it was immediately noticeable how heavy the steering was versus that which I am used to, as was the considerably larger turning circle which made parking more challenging and pulling out on some of the village T-junctions a little wide, though not unproportionate. Also, being a diesel and weighing approximately 2,700kg, the felt torque was much more considerable.

On the way into town, for no real reason at all, I collected my potential brother-in-law, Jimmy, a Mercedes F1 engineer and fellow car enthusiast. From the outside, people’s expectations of the Grenadier are that it would have the on-the-road graciousness equal to that of a lightly salted slug; slow, heavy and not designed for going places quickly.

However, it would have been rude not to put a little lead in one’s shoes when there is a man who works in the pinnacle of motorcar racing in the passenger seat to find out. The result was that we were pleasantly surprised to say the least, and getting up to speed on the slip road of the M1 was actually effortless, if a little loud, and done in a handful of seconds.

Cruising in comfort

Having got my eye in, the 100 or so miles on the M1 on the way to Harrogate the next afternoon proved great grounds for testing the comfort, economy and cruisability of the Grenadier.

Standing at a little over 6ft 4, the first of the three points is a big consideration for me. Typically in vehicles of a similar exterior design I am offered less leg room inside than found on a budget airline, and often endure an even more uncomfortable existence while driving, cramping up and getting stiff, and there is no hope in hell of a passenger fitting behind me.

I can confirm the Grenadier is completely opposite on all accounts and gets a big tick in my book. Everything from the adjustable steering wheel position, seat angles and longitudinal motion has been so carefully considered to allow for even the tallest of drivers.

Not only that, the armrest is immensely comfortable and doesn’t sag after a long drive, while the window ledge is perfect for resting the arm while maintaining full grip on the ultra-wide-grip wheel (which is not to everyone’s taste, but I absolutely love).

All of the controls are easy to reach and operate (designed for use with even a gloved hand) and work well; these also give a great sense of build quality to the vehicle. Not once in my five days did I get cramp or experience discomfort, which is great kudos to the design team.

Another thing I loved was the quality of the audio and apple car play system, which is very welcomed to overcome the road noise of all-terrain tyres. Braking distances were respectable, too.

A great ride

Being a heavy vehicle, the Grenadier feels immensely surefooted and offers a highly commanding drive and ride height, equally as good on the bends as it was on the straights. Small to medium-sized potholes and other bumps in the road that would normally have you wincing barely noticeable, like a pen gliding over paper.

It’s also worth commenting that for the time being if you don’t like to be ‘papped’, a Grenadier may not be for you as I was filmed no end of times by other road users and asked by many if they could be photographed besides it.

As for economy, on my routes into Leicester, to and around Harrogate and to a couple of fishing spots and home again, including a few rather gutsy acceleration and engine sound tests, traffic and more, I averaged 24.6 MPG. I didn’t think this was bad at all, probably not far off class-leading, in fact.

Any issues?

Naturally, there are a few things I find a little frustrating on the road which I didn’t think about at all when off it. Firstly, the position of the speedometer, which is digital and in the display in the central column; it is increasingly common to be here on modern cars, but looking away from a busy motorway to check the speed is something I am not a fan of.

The position and hefty width of the window columns can make checking over one’s shoulder a rather more of a physical movement than just a turn of the head, especially when pulling out on junctions and joining roads via slipways. The safari style windows are great for clear views in front and to the side, however, when in a heavy downpour while doing 60mph or more, vision is significantly reduced versus a streamlined design.

So, despite being designed for off-road, the performance of it on tarmac is very respectable and far exceeded my expectations. I would not however need something so capable for my requirements, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting one nor being incredibly envious of those who are excitedly anticipating their delivery of one.