Working with the good people from Operation Frodo, an organization that transports rescue dogs cross-country, I piloted the INEOS Grenadier for 10 hours. Loaded with supplies, dog kennels, and pups, we made our way from the below-freezing winds of Omaha, NE, to slightly warmer Denver, CO. This was an amazing opportunity for me, as I have driven the Grenadier on a variety of challenging terrain, but never on a long-distance run. Better still, a long distance journey for a great cause: repatriating at-risk dogs to loving forever homes.
You can read more about Operation Frodo (here).
ND Adlen/Autoblog
The Rescue Vehicle: 2025 INEOS Grenadier – Anachronistic Awesomeness
Among a convoy largely made up of crossovers and minivans, the Grenadier stood alone as the only true SUV in the group. And it wears that title proudly. This is a body-on-frame vehicle with solid axles, available locking differentials, and the mechanical honesty to traverse terrain most modern “SUVs” wouldn’t dare attempt.
I’ve driven the Grenadier over extreme obstacles in Moab and through remote sections of the Rocky Mountains. Its articulation, off-road geometry, low-range gearing, and sheer mechanical toughness are genuinely impressive. It doesn’t pretend to be capable; it simply is.
Power comes from a BMW-sourced, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 282 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, paired with an excellent ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. A permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case sends power to all four corners. Maximum towing capacity is a stout 7,716 pounds, while fuel economy, depending on trim, hovers around 19 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Not exactly thrifty, but no one buys a Grenadier expecting Prius numbers.
Ineos
Awesome and Overwhelming Design
Yes, it looks like an old Land Rover Discovery, and that’s no accident. INEOS originally set out to build a modernized version of the classic Defender-era Discovery. When that partnership fell through, the company pressed on independently, creating the Grenadier as a spiritual successor to the old Defender 110 ethos. Mission accomplished.
The Grenadier’s classic two-box design is striking, upright, and unapologetically square. It looks larger than it actually is, sitting tall and wide with undeniable presence. Aerodynamics were clearly not invited to the design meeting, but that’s the point. This vehicle telegraphs its capability before it ever leaves the pavement. It’s handsome in a utilitarian, no-nonsense way, though decidedly unfriendly to tight urban environments.
Inside, the Grenadier continues its throwback charm. The cabin is a blend of durable materials, genuinely comfortable seats, and a cockpit layout that feels more bomber aircraft than luxury SUV. Switches and toggles are everywhere, and refreshingly, they all do something. If you’re a tech-nerd who appreciates physical controls over touch-screen gymnastics, this interior will make you smile.
Rear-seat comfort is decent, though taller passengers may find legroom a bit tight. Cargo space, however, critical for a rescue mission, is excellent: 40.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 71.8 cubic feet with them folded flat. Kennels, supplies, and pups fit without drama.
Ineos
Ride and Handling
Despite heavy-duty coil springs, solid beam axles, and chunky all-terrain tires, the Grenadier’s ride quality is surprisingly agreeable, think pickup-truck firm rather than agricultural punishment. On the highway, however, its old-school nature makes itself known.
The hydraulically assisted recirculating-ball steering is distinctly vintage. It lacks precision and meaningful feedback, requiring constant small corrections at speed. Add in the Grenadier’s slab-sided profile, and high winds will push you around more than you’d like. Road noise is also ever-present, especially at interstate velocities.
This is not a lifestyle SUV dressed up with glossy plastic trim and driver-assist gimmicks. The Grenadier is a tool – a proper, European-born 4×4 that bridges old-school ruggedness with just enough modern refinement to make long distances tolerable. I’ve pushed this vehicle hard off-road, and its capability rivals that of a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler. That’s high praise, but just like that Jeep, the Grenadier is never completely at ease on pavement.
Thankfully, the BMW engine and ZF transmission do a lot of heavy lifting. Acceleration is smooth, torque is plentiful, and passing power is more than adequate, helping offset the vehicle’s ponderous, wallowing tendencies on the street.
Ineos
Final Thoughts
If you’re an off-road or adventure enthusiast, it’s hard not to admire the INEOS Grenadier. It’s honest to a fault, bold, unapologetic, and dripping with personality. This is the kind of vehicle that makes you think, “Yes, Indiana Jones would love this thing.”
Even while slogging cross-country with a load of adorable rescue dogs – occasionally wishing for the polish of a modern Land Rover Defender, the Grenadier never felt out of character. It did the job it was designed to do, without complaint, and with a certain stubborn charm that’s increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape.
And honestly? For a vehicle helping carry dogs toward better lives, that feels exactly right.
About the author
Nathan Adlen
Contributing Writer, Autoblog