2024 INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster First Drive Assessment

If there’s one car People love, it’s the pickup truck.  Shortly after INEOS Automotive launched its Grenadier “Station Wagon” (aka SUV), the U.Okay.-based firm (assembling autos in France) launched its second providing, the Grenadier Quartermaster pickup.

Briefly: The Grenadier Quartermaster takes the Grenadier SUV and provides a pickup mattress. This implies a great deal of off-road functionality, a singular persona, and a dose of quirkiness — now with the power to throw stuff into the again of a truck.

2024 INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster Assessment

INEOS Automotive is a brand new U.Okay.-based car producer which debuted its Grenadier SUV in This autumn of 2023 in North America. Just a few months later, the corporate is providing its second act, the Grenadier Quartermaster pickup.

This truck, for all intents and functions, is a pickup model of the Grenadier SUV, full with the identical 3.0L turbocharged BMW engine and ZF 8-speed transmission. It additionally has the identical 4WD system, excessive construct high quality, and inside format.

The wheelbase is 127 inches, nevertheless, 12 inches longer than the SUV mannequin.

Exterior Styling: Rugged, Traditional, and Nonetheless Not a Land Rover Defender

Sure, the Grenadier seems to be like a Land Rover Defender. In reality, INEOS Group’s CEO, Chairman, and British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, tried to purchase the rights to construct the Defender from Land Rover. Rover stated no, so Ratcliffe constructed his personal 4×4 with the Defender offering affect.

The Quartermaster’s form is noticeably completely different from different pickups offered on the North American market. The looks isn’t tremendous modern or marvelously trendy. Relatively it’s classically formed and utilitarian-looking. Initially, I assumed the addition of a pickup mattress made the wheels look too small, however the truck’s seems to be have grown on me.

Talking of, this pickup might be had with 17-inch or 18-inch wheels in metal or aluminum alloy. They arrive shod with 265/70R17 or 255/70R18 Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires.

Extra aggressive LT-rated BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires are non-obligatory except you get the Trailmaster model, then the KO2s are normal. 

Bedside Method

The Quartermaster employs a 61.5-inch lengthy and 63.7-inch broad mattress. By comparability, a Jeep Gladiator has as much as a 60.4-inch by 56.8-inch mattress.

There’s no trick tailgate gadgetry on the Quartermaster. It merely folds down and might maintain as much as 496 kilos.

Not like most pickups, the Quartermaster carries its spare tire within the mattress versus beneath it. Whereas it takes up house, the location was a acutely aware determination. A tire within the mattress is less complicated to entry than below it, and it’s all about off-road performance with this rig.

Quartermaster has a class-leading 1,889-pound payload capability.

The mattress affords 4 bed-mounted tie-down factors, and a 400W energy takeoff, too. It may be accessorized with a black tubular rack, including a singular look to the French-made pickup, though I choose the cleaner look with out it.

Barely Stiffer Suspension

I began our drive in a Britannia Blue Quartermaster. I assumed it drove practically identically to the SUV model, which I piloted over 5,000 miles within the winter 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally. That’s till I drove the SUV model once more later within the day, which rode softer.

It seems the Quartermaster comes with heavy-duty springs (non-obligatory on the Grenadier SUV) and completely different dampers. Off-road, you actually observed the Quartermaster’s completely different damping. On highway, it wasn’t as obvious, and it nonetheless ate up dips and bumps with ease.

For those who have been towing or had weight within the mattress, I’m positive the stiffer, heavy-duty suspension can be a welcome addition.

Off-Highway Oriented

All Grenadiers are off-road oriented, together with the Quartermaster. It has over 10 inches of floor clearance, all-terrain tires, strong entrance and rear Carraro axles, a two-speed Tremec switch case, non-obligatory locking entrance and rear differentials, plus scads of adventure-ready equipment. From rock sliders to lightbars, you may simply make a Grenadier prepared on your personal model of journey.

Our drive by means of the Southern California desert included an off-road portion that took us by means of filth trails with some tight squeezes and straightforward obstacles. I employed the truck’s 4-low switch case in a pair locations to see the way it operated off pavement, however your complete course might’ve been achieved in 4-high by these of us with off-road expertise.

Stout however Finicky 4WD System

The truck has full-time 4WD with an unlocked middle differential. Then there’s 4-low with an open middle diff, 4-high with a locked middle diff, and 4-low with a locked middle diff.

Not like many new 4WDs, the Grenadiers nonetheless make use of a manually actuated switch case utilizing a stick shift in an H-pattern, requiring vital persuasion to have interaction. It’s very mechanical, which aligns with INEOS’ ethos of being mechanical when doable and digital when crucial. This concept is to have fewer digital failure factors and a higher capability for restore within the subject.

Differential locker engagement, which is electrical, is dealt with by ceiling-mounted buttons. I tried to lock the rear diff earlier than an impediment, and the diff lock icon started flashing. As I approached the impediment, the sunshine stored flashing, and I’m unsure it ever engaged.

Disengagement (by once more urgent the diff buttons) will also be finicky because the diffs received’t unlock till sensors notice the wheels are rotating at completely different speeds. Making slight activates the path will help on this. 

There are additionally off-road and wading modes. These optimize the car for off-pavement efficiency and as much as 31 inches of water-crossing capability, respectively. Each modes activate and/or deactivate a wide range of parts and sensors for max conditional efficiency, however speeds in these modes are restricted.

Grenadiers have their very own recipe of button presses, lever strikes, handbrake engagements, and beginning and stopping to get the 4WD techniques to work correctly. Issues just like the grille lights will solely operate in off-road mode as they’re not D.O.T.-approved for on-road use. They solely work as much as round 35 mph.

I like to recommend having the proprietor’s handbook on the prepared the primary few occasions you enterprise off highway.

Freeway Hauling

On the pavement, the Quartermaster feels refined, strong, and quiet for a pickup. The journey is stiff, however not uncomfortable — it is a truck in spite of everything. The boosted BMW powerplant churns out ample energy, and it by no means feels wheezy. The truck will simply cruise at 75+ mph, though the gasoline financial system is simply 14 mpg throughout the board on premium gasoline in optimum circumstances.

Off-road dealing with is predictable. On-road dealing with is trucklike, as anticipated.

However probably the most controversial a part of your complete Grenadier line is its steering, which is decidedly numb.

Controversial Steering 

Grenadier’s most contentious facet is the steering. It’s gradual, doesn’t come again to middle properly, and is likely to be typically off-putting, no less than initially — particularly for these with out time behind the wheel of strong axle 4x4s. It takes time to get used to for sure.

This was the case once we drove our Grenadier on the Alcan 5000, though I got here to understand the slower steering in slippery circumstances. You didn’t need “quick fingers” on ice. The steering is similar with the Quartermaster.

INEOS, which makes use of the slogan “Constructed On Goal” states the steering is the way in which it’s for a motive: it’s higher off-road. There aren’t herky-jerky actions, and the steering wheel doesn’t get kicked again by path hazards. Potential consumers must keep in mind that that is an off-roader, not an autocrosser. Don’t anticipate sports activities car-like reflexes, however the steering could also be a priority for some.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel is fats, chunky, and feels nice within the hand. There’s additionally the well-known crimson “Toot” horn button. This quieter horn is arguably a extra well mannered approach to alert individuals of your presence and is fantastic.

Comfy, Quirky Inside

The Quartermaster’s entrance Recaro seats are distinctive with ample help and luxury, whether or not you go for heated variations or not. Leather-based and material can be found.

I additionally sat within the again seat on the way in which from Palm Springs airport to the resort. The rear bench seats three and may be very upright and doesn’t recline. Legroom appeared adequate.

Enjoyable reality: All Grenadiers have their batteries below the rear seat cushion. The bench’s seatback does fold flat to hold extra cargo.

Like its fraternal SUV twin, the Quartermaster might be had with twin safari glass panes above driver and passenger in lieu of a sunroof. The tinted glass panels might be popped up or fully taken out. Within the scorching 103-degree F solar of the California desert, I wanted they provided covers, however INEOS doesn’t.

The dashboard format seems to be nice however the system has a steep studying curve. The quite a few buttons are giant to allow them to be simply operated with gloves. The HVAC is gradual to react to zonal adjustments (head to toes, for instance), however the A/C was ample, even within the excessive warmth.

Infotainment Points

The infotainment system and gauges are situated within the middle stack. They’re troublesome to make use of and pokey to reply. Additionally, the center-console-mounted dial/button controller combo might be simply bumped by mistake.

The car’s ubiquitous velocity warning alert is universally panned. Exceed the velocity restrict, and it annoyingly clicks at you. You may disable it briefly, though the choice to take action is buried, and you should flip it off every time you begin the car.

In reality, many issues are hidden throughout the menu construction. Nonetheless, primary information reminiscent of odometer, gasoline financial system, vary, and drive time might be chosen utilizing a button on the finish of the flip sign stalk, which is handy. 

In my 8,000 miles with a Grenadier SUV (Alcan 5000 + driving to Overland Expo West and again), I used to be general very proud of the inside, sans the infotainment system, which I nonetheless discover cumbersome.

A Expensive Pickup

Though pickup costs have skyrocketed over time, the Grenadier Quartermaster takes it to a brand new stage.

The bottom Quartermaster begins at $86,900. The uprated Trialmaster and Fieldmaster fashions begin at $94,900.

A part of this stratospheric value is because of the “hen tax,” a 25% tariff on mild vehicles imported to the U.S. For those who do the mathematics, 25% of $86,900 — the price of a base Quartermaster — is $21,725 in pure tariff. If INEOS might construct this truck in North America, the value is likely to be nearer to $65,000.

Orders for Quartermaster began in April, with first deliveries anticipated earlier than the tip of the yr.

Quartermaster Is a Area of interest Within a Area of interest

Undoubtedly, there’s an off-road pickup area of interest, and the Quartermaster is a distinct segment inside that area of interest. Definitely, its distinctiveness might be sufficient for some consumers to buy this over the myriads of different midsized vehicles.

INEOS has life like gross sales targets with Quartermaster — they understand it’s not a quantity car, however a number of area of interest autos are.

A Pickup Purposely Constructed Exterior of the Midsized Majority

This truck received’t battle in opposition to the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, or others within the midsized majority. The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X, which prices a “scant” $64,890, is Quartermaster’s closest competitor, no less than on paper. It’s additionally in regards to the value of a base Quartermaster with out hen tax.

The quirky Quartermaster most likely received’t woo potential Gladiator consumers away from Jeep. Relatively, it’ll probably blaze its personal off-road path. In reality, you would possibly name the Quartermaster the anti-Jeep Gladiator.

Ever-Increasing & Unique

INEOS is increasing its vendor community to supply extra sellers to extra individuals. INEOS hopes these persons are searching for a premium, extremely succesful European 4×4 with a great deal of performance and persona — arguably like Land Rover used to. However, a $90,000 midsized pickup is barely going to enchantment to so many, and INEOS is OK with that.

The Grenadier Quartermaster turns heads, tackles trails, and even hauls some hay if utilized as such. It’s distinct, quirky, succesful, and solidly constructed — particularly from a first-time automaker.

Nonetheless, it’s not with out faults and definitely isn’t for everybody. However these qualities give the car clear-cut appeal and a great deal of persona. For consumers with an ample price range, a close-by dealership, and a need for an journey car, the Quartermaster ticks loads of bins as a midsized pickup for individuals who need to be completely different.