{"id":244913,"date":"2023-11-11T11:49:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-11T11:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=244913"},"modified":"2023-11-11T11:49:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-11T11:49:49","slug":"land-rover-defender-vs-ineos-grenadier-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-the-ultimate-off-road-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/land-rover-defender-vs-ineos-grenadier-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-the-ultimate-off-road-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"Land Rover Defender vs Ineos Grenadier vs Ford Ranger Raptor: the ultimate off-road shootout"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ineos Grenadier takes on the Land Rover Defender and Ford Ranger Raptor to see where it fits in the 4×4 sector<\/h2>\n


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Starting a car company from scratch is no easy task, but when petrochemical boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe decided that the new Land Rover Defender wasn\u2019t for him, that\u2019s exactly what he did. The end product is the Ineos Grenadier, a chunky 4×4 that has plenty of traditional features and the promise of class-leading off-road ability.<\/p>\n

To find out how the Grenadier stacks up, we\u2019ve lined it up against the car it\u2019s meant to be an alternative to. While Land Rover offers the Defender in a variety of body sizes and with a wide range of engines, we\u2019re testing it in long-wheelbase guise, with a D250 diesel to match the Grenadier.<\/p>\n

Our third contender is a left-field choice, but like the Ineos, the Ford Ranger Raptor will appeal to buyers who want something different. It\u2019s more of a performance off-roader than a pick-up truck, courtesy of its twin-turbo V6 and bespoke suspension.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re taking all three off road to see how they perform, but the Real-World Road Test will also take their other talents into account.<\/p>\n

Ineos Grenadier\u00a0<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Model:<\/td>\nIneos Grenadier Station Wagon Trialmaster<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price:<\/td>\n\u00a376,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Powertrain:<\/td>\n3.0-litre 6cyl in-line twin-turbo diesel, 249bhp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-62mph:<\/td>\n8.8 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official Economy:<\/td>\n23.1mpg\/5.1mpl<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CO2:<\/td>\n286g\/km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Annual VED:<\/td>\n\u00a3460<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Ineos Grenadier is being pitched as a tough, go-anywhere 4×4 that offers supreme off-road ability. It comes at a price, though, with the five-seat Station Wagon in Trialmaster trim starting at \u00a376,000 before options.<\/p>\n

Tech highlights\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Producing a new car from scratch is no easy task, but while Ineos was criticised for not committing to building the Grenadier in the UK, its decision to use the former Smart factory in Hambach, France, has helped to fast-track its introduction.<\/p>\n

The plant is overseen by vehicle production expert Magna, while a lot of the Grenadier\u2019s tech has been bought in from established sources. As well as BMW\u2019s six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, Ineos also uses the company\u2019s infotainment software \u2013 albeit with its own bespoke interface \u2013 while gearboxes and suspension dampers are sourced from ZF, the brakes are from Brembo, Eibach supplies the progressive-rate springs and BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres are used.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s body-on-frame construction for the best off-road ability possible, while the Grenadier is shorter and narrower than a Defender 110, but is taller and has more ground clearance. A \u2018Utility Belt\u2019 can be added to the car\u2019s sides, using the same mounting system as the floor rails in the boot, while an optional rear ladder, side steps and roof-mounted safari windows can boost the rugged looks.<\/p>\n

Transmission:<\/strong> The eight-speed automatic gearbox is connected to a two-speed transfer case for low-range gears, but while its rivals here have fully automated drive systems, the Grenadier has a secondary manual lever next to the drive selector. All Grenadiers have a centre-diff lock, while front and rear locks are part of the Rough Pack, which comes as standard with Trialmaster trim.<\/p>\n

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On and off the road<\/h2>\n

The Grenadier\u2019s focus is off-road driving, but it\u2019s far from being out of its depth on tarmac.<\/p>\n

Around town:<\/strong>\u00a0 A lot has been made about the Grenadier\u2019s recirculating-ball steering, but it\u2019s easy to get along with once you\u2019re tuned into it. The set-up isn\u2019t as direct as a rack-and-pinion set-up, and there\u2019s next to no self-centring, so you have to wind off as much lock as you\u2019ve put on, but there\u2019s plenty of power assistance to help you out.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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A bigger issue is the Grenadier\u2019s turning circle. A diameter of 13.5 metres is larger than that of the longer Ranger, so low-speed manoeuvres need some forward planning. Front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are fitted as standard, though, so you can position the car easily.<\/p>\n

Other roads:<\/strong> The Grenadier\u2019s steering doesn\u2019t encourage spirited driving, but the car\u2019s ride on tarmac is surprisingly good, considering its off-road focus. Big lumps and bumps can cause some shake, but in no way is it uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

All-terrain tyres usually generate lots of road noise, but this is well suppressed in the Grenadier, even at motorway speeds, and wind noise is surprisingly low, considering the car\u2019s boxy shape.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s lots of power from the BMW-sourced 3.0-litre diesel, while the eight-speed auto gearbox offers instant responses and smooth acceleration.<\/p>\n

Off road:<\/strong> Where the Grenadier really shines is in the rough. The combination of triple diff locks, all-terrain tyres and excellent ground clearance mean it\u2019s virtually unstoppable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hill-descent control system offers smooth progress even on very steep slopes; where the Grenadier\u2019s rivals start to judder against their ABS systems, the Ineos keeps moving smoothly.<\/p>\n

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Ownership<\/h2>\n

The Grenadier\u2019s chunky exterior looks are emulated by the dashboard. The numerous switches and buttons \u2013 including on the overhead console and multifunction steering wheel \u2013 give a military feeling to the cabin, while Trialmaster cars come with rubber flooring and fabric upholstery that\u2019s easy to clean \u2013 drain holes in the floor mean it\u2019s possible to hose the floor down if necessary.<\/p>\n

The driving position is upright, and there\u2019s a clear view out, but there\u2019s no natural armrest on the driver\u2019s door, so comfort over longer distances might become an issue. At least the Grenadier\u2019s width means there\u2019s plenty of space, and you\u2019re not pinned to the door like in an old Land Rover.<\/p>\n

The switchgear looks the part \u2013 although the BMW-sourced drive selector is a little out of place on the centre console \u2013 but it doesn\u2019t feel very robust in places. The central click wheel works like BMW\u2019s iDrive controller, but feels flimsy to use, while some of the switches don\u2019t feel as solid as the Land Rover\u2019s or Ford\u2019s; when using the overhead controls, the panel flexes as you operate them.<\/p>\n

There are no dials ahead of the driver; instead Ineos uses a Tesla-style layout, placing the speedo and other info on a section of the central screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quality:<\/strong> While the Grenadier\u2019s switchgear feels a bit flimsy in places, in other areas the car feels rock solid. The doors need a proper slam to get them shut \u2013 just like an old Land Rover \u2013 but feel suitably robust when you do, while the panel fit and paint finish are to a high standard.<\/p>\n

If there are any further question marks about how reliable the Grenadier is going to be, Ineos addresses them by providing a five-year\/unlimited- mileage warranty. That\u2019s two years more than is offered by either Land Rover or Ford in the UK, while Ineos is accrediting a network of aftersales\u00a0 centres with the aim of having a workshop within 45 minutes of any destination.<\/p>\n

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Practicality<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a big step up into the cabin, while passenger and luggage space is acceptable more than outstanding.<\/p>\n

Rear Space: <\/strong>Grab handles help with access, but side steps are an essential addition if you\u2019re going to carry passengers on a regular basis, because the cabin floor is set high. Once in, there\u2019s enough space for three, while there are Isofix child seat mounts on the outer chairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Boot: <\/strong>The back doors open in a 25:75 split so that the smaller side can open without fouling the spare tyre. That means you\u2019ll need to open both doors to load anything but the smallest bag in the boot.<\/p>\n

The load lip is high, but while folding the back seats creates more space than in the Defender, there\u2019s a large step in the floor. A cargo cover is available as an option, too. Floor rails and lashing eyes allow you to strap items in the uncarpeted boot.<\/p>\n

What to buy?<\/h2>\n

Which engine and trim we\u2019d choose<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n