What's the difference?
As part of recent updates to the line-up, the Ineos Grenadier’s steering has been tweaked for a more precise feel and a claimed slightly tighter turning circle and the driver-assist tech has been upgraded as has the air-con system.
This body-on-frame 4WD has live axles, a dual-range transfer case, front, centre and rear diff locks and a stack of other features intended to turn the driver into an off-road expert.
So how does the Grenadier station wagon perform off-road? Read on.
The electric car world has seen a few seven-seat SUVs hit the ground running recently and for good reason. The dream of lowering your emissions without sacrificing space for the family is a tempting one. But let’s be honest, there still aren’t a whole lot of options out there.
Enter the flagship Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance. It brings together the elegant design and thoughtful functionality Volvo is known for, now paired with a premium tech offering and a powerful new electric drivetrain.
Will it be enough to tempt buyers over the line? I've spent a week with it to find out.
The Ineos Grenadier Station Wagon is an impressive four-wheel drive. This five-seat off-roader is stacked with features, is very capable off-road and it's actually not atrocious on-road. But its price will deter a lot of people and those who buy into the Grenadier lifestyle have to be prepared to endure some compromises and discomfort along the way… because this is not for everyone. And that’s kind of the point.
This is a new old-school 4WD – a niche within a niche – and while it’s bursting at the seams with an abundance of quirky features, those quirks may quickly lose their appeal and become annoyances. A lot of people will buy the Grenadier because they like the idea of it, but the reality of living with it day to day – or any old-school 4WD, for that matter – may be uncomfortable for them, similar to all of those people who bought a camper-trailer during COVID only to realise they hated camping.
When all is said and done, the Grenadier is a retro-cool 4WD with solid off-road capability.
The new Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance strikes a great balance between sophistication and practicality. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and delivers a solid range with fast charging to match. Adding to that is a comfortable, family-friendly cabin with space for seven. It’s hard not to be impressed.
There are a couple of technology beats it misses but it's still an easy SUV to live with.