The best thing about Alex is that he lacks any detectable amount of pretension in his reviews. I doubt he has any at all, and that is a refreshing quality in this corner of the internet especially.

@rkalla

3 ай бұрын

Exactly right - the dude just loves what he does.

@daweed980

3 ай бұрын

His bias towards Hyundai and Kia is especially obvious

@etbadaboum

3 ай бұрын

Indeed, no narcissism which is so overwhelming these days

@CrazyWeeMonkey

3 ай бұрын

@@daweed980 Hyundai & Kia make some pretty good cars nowadays.

@myauctionaddictionestatesa7451

3 ай бұрын

I really liked his review. He covered some details not everyone does. However, things like axle and suspension deserve more coverage. That steering comes from a bomb proof system. Same color that we ordered as well.

You know, despite being an anachronism in many ways (shape, handling, drivetrain, manual safari glass, gate, lack of automation) this thing has what so many other vehicles don't: personality. The designers clearly knew exactly what they were trying to build, and they made intentional sacrifices to do it. Even if this vehicle is not for me (I'm more of the Subaru variety of off-roading/winter-roading), I just love that it's not like everything else. I mean, look at all the buttons and switches. It's just its own thing, and in these homogenous 2020s, that's so great.

@user-sn1xf7vj1r

3 ай бұрын

Да! Ему 70 лет.

Tractor-like ride quality and those gigantic cluster and roof buttons would be exactly why I would love to get one of these 😂. Such a cool vehicle!

@MG77740

3 ай бұрын

Let me tell ya, tractors have a smooth ride.

The Grenadier is fantastic!! It's everything the new Land Rover Defender SHOULD have been. I think my only disappointment with it is the glaring lack of a manual transmission, at any trim level. I really kind of despise the cheap, plastic BMW auto shifter sticking out of the center console. It's even more out of place when you notice there's a manual e-brake and manual transfer case shift lever on either side of it. Aside from that, the Grenadier is fantastic!! The aircraft-style switches are awesome!!

@oriondaniels4760

2 күн бұрын

My thoughts exactly!

I would love an explanation of what all these differentials and lockers do, and examples of when you use them. A great off-road video would be awesome. This is a wild weird vehicle. Its Wonderfull.

@Rioichi4

3 ай бұрын

Seconding this!

@danielsteinberg7698

3 ай бұрын

The differential is the pumpkin looking thing in the middle of the axle. It allows the wheels to turn at different speeds. When you are turning a corner, the outside wheel travels a further distance than the inside wheel. A locker "Locks" the axle. When the axle is locked, both wheels turn at the identical speed. This reduces wheel slip and increases traction. Hope that helps.

Congrats on the new Grenadier ❤ I would definitely want to see you meet up with TFL at their ranch to see that baby off-road. That would be awesome !!!

I know this is just ridiculous but that coloured steering wheel just tops it off like the cherry on a cake. Gorgeous. I like this thing.

I just noticed the color while you’re driving. That’s a beautiful green! Very nice spec, Alex.

That toot button ♥️😂♥️😂 i had to rewind and look at that several times ..made me laugh💯😂

Alex’s transformation into a Cotswolds sheep farmer was so gradual that I didn’t notice-until he got himself a modern-day Defender. Congratulations on the purchase. All that’s left is to pull up sticks and move the entire Auto Buyers Guide crew to southwestern England!

The power outlets and accessories on the exterior is a very nice touch.

Very cool. Looks like an overlander's dream.

Can’t believe you can already get these here.

Thanks. Excellent review as usual. You speak as if you are reading off a teleprompter and attention to detail is admirable. Love your work Alex!

@AAutoBuyersGuide

3 ай бұрын

Maybe one day I can afford a teleprompter 😅 for now it’s just my twisted brain and many, many, many takes to get it right

Congrats, Alex! I think you're gonna love it. We LOVE ours! Can't wait to get ours out into the forests more often once my day job settles down. Looking forward to seeing more content from you on the Grenadier. There are very few quality content creators making Grenadier content right now. Keep up the great work!

Alex, After the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in disappointment/debacle, is it safe to say you will be choosing your own long-term vehicles from now on? 😉 With Ineos introducing another solid front axle 4X4 to our market to compete with high end Wranglers, Toyota really has no excuse to deny us their real deal 70 Series. 🤩🤩

@evoemperor3776

3 ай бұрын

Ineos looks old but it has modern safety certification that would pass american market 70 series on the other hand is just an old vehicle facelifted and sold new not only that that it will get severe criticism with american journalist and damage brand name just like the old suzuki samurai hence you can't have suzuki jimny too🤣

You seem very knowledgeable. I would like if you could continue to compare and contrast to other vehicles like the G wagon or Toyota LC. Thanks

Its so funny how everyone completely dogged the mpg of GX 460 being~(16-18), when there are multiple rigs that are “6 cylinders” getting the same or worse mpg than the 4.6 V8.

@damilolaakanni

3 ай бұрын

About 20MPG highway if you go for the pre-facelift (2010-2013) models.

As usual, an AMAZING amount of information! Thank you! Looking forward to your meet up with TFL!

I saw a trailer with 6-8 of these on the NJ turnpike and I had no idea what they were. I thought they were restomod defensers.

@mrqualityreviewer4752

3 ай бұрын

I live in NJ and probably going to PA possibly

I want one of these so bad. I hope this SUV sells well here in the states so that they bring over the truck version or the Diesel engine at a minimum!

Nice to see a preview of what I ordered just a month ago! Green as well with the off road option and back half roof rack. I look forward to a real factory off road vehicle with lockers @ both ends!

Thanks for sharing your unique vehicle.

Alex likes blowing those horns.

British Racing Green? Lucas Prince of Darkness included? A meetup with TFL. That would be fun. I will be interested in the future updates of this new addition to the family.

@AAutoBuyersGuide

3 ай бұрын

This one is all Bosch Princess of Darkness LOL

@AAutoBuyersGuide

3 ай бұрын

This one is all Bosch Princess of Darkness LOL

You offered some details that so many others have not. Well done!

Congrats, it's way cool, hope you love it!

Mine is do in Q4 this year mine is the same color and everything as yours! super excited

I'd love to see an interior night picture of the center and overhead consoles. I love the aircraft feel of the interior. Thanks for sharing.

What an enjoyable and entertaining video. Yummy, Boxy, Green, Off Road Champion of a purchase. An exclusive, niche offering with distinctive and appealing features to be sure. If you have the time and inclination to compare the capabilities and features with TFL, that would certainly be a special treat for eveyone. That boxy profile sure looks nice. Excellent work Alex.

Great and honest review, Alex. Keep up the great work!

A really good honest review, thanks !!

TFL collab for sure !

Great review! I took delivery of mine at the end of December, with over 4200 miles so far. We’re doing a Grenadier get together Feb 24 in Sutter Creek at a vineyard. Would love if you joined us! (Free wine tasting, bring a lunch, bring the family, offroad tour of the vineyard!)

Very cool truck! I think they've done amazing job, balancing, off-road capability and reasonable drivability! And like you said several times, it's very cool!! Great review!!

Great stuff, maybe your best video yet!!

Very jealous! Congratulations and enjoy!!

It's gorgeous!

Alex, you're like a kid on Christmas morning with this vehicle. This vehicle is fitting for you. My favorite part- the toot button.

What a beautiful vehicle! I love the color. I've wanted one of these since I first saw the concept several years ago. It's got everything that's lacking in 99% of modern vehicles; character, personality, authenticity. No cookie cutter/design-by-committee here. Looking forward to future videos.

Fantastic presentation. I absolutely can not wait to get one.

Having spent more than 45 years in aircraft cockpits, the switchgear and overhead panel alone makes me want one. If I could afford one (being retired, old, and feeble)... All I would hope for would be an improvement in steering feel and self-centering. Otherwise, this is as close to my ideal daily driver. Actually, it looks like something 10-year-old me might have doodled in grade school... And I love that. And, considering the engineering, build quality, and components... I'd say it is a decent value for the money. And it's waaaaay cool. ;)

Congrats, Alex! Enjoy it! It’s ideal for your property, and future content. Whenever it’s time to replace your tires, consider getting a set of the AEV Saltos wheels.

To protect the small rear door Ineos installed a rubber cushion on the interior of the large rear door. Congrats on the new purchase.

Looks like Ineos sorted out the towing option problems, first I've seen with NA tow receiver installed. Congrats and cheers. Look forward to more follow up on this as you get used to it. Mine is...somewhere.

I think it was your review of the 2015 TRD Pro 4Runner that inspired me to get that truck almost 10 years ago. Now I'm going for the new Land Cruiser.

I would like to see a video of a Grenadier in a parking lot. How much space does it need? Can you park between cars in a busy parking lot? Also, I would like to see it driving in a town/city. Another thing... Could you demonstrate/visualize the ground clearance? Maybe drive over some measured cardboard pieces or something.

If that is BMW’s best B58 I6 dialed down to 280 hp, it might last 1 million miles 😂

@DmitryIve

3 ай бұрын

You’ll need to change gaskets every 10 years though🙂

Very cool car. Love the review.

They just opened one here in St Petersburg Florida. I was wondering what it was now I know. Looks so much like a G Wagon. Great introduction

Great review to the point that I am going to get one this year.

It's rare today to see an interior that actually has buttons and switches. I like it. They should offer some optional towing mirrors

@justabrokeredneck

3 ай бұрын

with a bmw engine it definitely won’t be reliable. or tow much more than a jetski or lawnmower trailer

This thing is f’n cool!

Living the dream

I think having the big barn door open first would have been more useful. I would more often put something large in the back than use the smaller awkward opening

Beautiful ❤🎉

Great Choice

Dream car! Please make a Grenadier series keeping us informed about ownership and mods!

What an interesting vehicle!

Love this thing, but the fact they let it roll off the line with that dainty Bimmer shifter is unforgivable. Can something be trivial and unforgivable simultaneously?

@user-sn1xf7vj1r

3 ай бұрын

🙉🙊🙈😁

@Johnny_Socko

3 ай бұрын

According to another video I saw, Ineos said that keeping the shifter made it significantly easier to slot the BMW powertrain into the vehicle. Apparently it would have been difficult and surprisingly technical to build the truck with a different shifter. Ineos seemed pretty disappointed about it too, lol.

Great review. You really cover a lot of information with a natural fluid style. See how you feel about the steering once you forget about it. It’s slow, not imprecise, so if you make a small correction, just let it do its thing, don’t get impatient and give it more, that just leads to the back and forth with the wheel. It actually holds its line very well and requires little intervention. It does self center, as illustrated in your split screen driving. It needs you to drive it back about the last quarter turn but that’s really what a driver should be doing anyway. My RX-8 had great steering but didn’t self center all the way either. However, low speed tight car park manoeuvres do require more effort to spin it back to center and you need all the lock you can get in the Grenadier so that does suck a bit.😊

Great review!! How much room is there with the rear seats folded down? Can you lay down in the back.

I was sold once you mentioned "Safari windows"!!!

I own a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon currently. I've been following the Grenadier extremely closely. There's so much I love here. There's also a lot of stuff that the industry solved long ago and makes you scratch your head make it here. Also some features just seem unfinished. Overall though... I hope their order books stay full. I think this will improve greatly over time and with aftermarket support.

What a great suv, in the land of me too styling with plastic bumpers that don't even protect the body, this is a refreshingly traditional suv. Only wish it had an analog speedo and tach. Makes the new defender look like a station wagon in comparison.

some of the best built defenders were made in south africa in the 2000s using bmw straight 6s, tho i believe only manual gearbox

I wish I had an excuse to buy this thing, it looks so cool

Alex is In love! Enjoy it, sir.

Saw one in a car park & it took the guy about 5 , 3 point turns to get out. like driving a tank !

No traditional instrument cluster a very very odd choice and literally centralizing that function to me a major miss. I'm sure the excuse is going to be but you can better see straight ahead in off-roading conditions, but... They have thought of so many things so the misses are glaring. I rate the exterior a 9.0 (10.0 for ultra cool factor) -- odd duck items being such things as the prop rod, and the wider portion of the rear swing doors being on the wrong side for 3/4 of the world's market, opening against/blocking the curb for on street parking/loading situations. Beats the heck out of the outgoing Lexus GX Etc however. I would also opt for a regular old school tilt/slide sunroof,.. for one thing, the driver or passenger (when stationary of course) could stand up and surveil their wild (of course) surroundings. I would rate the interior about a 6.0. Mechanically, BMW's 6 is legendary, but in this application too bad not an inline diesel -- would much better fit the image and purported mission of this vehicle, and bode much better for reliability and longevity.

I love that steering wheel.

You dont steer it…..you man the helm!

That steering ratio looks like 1000:1 haha. You need to get a ball mount for it next!

nicre one Alex

I would rather jave a 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 with the V8, 5spd manual, and soft top in bright yellow. I saw such a vehicle at a dealership in hogh school and have always wanted one ever since.

tuff, pretty, vintage yet techy. luv the basic looking wheels. it's a frankenstein vehicle, yet it works.

I saw 6 of these being delivered at the Land Rover dealership in Katy, TX

Awesome, Alex! Maybe get some vinyl wrap on the interior gloss plastic before thet start to pick up scratches. I love this thing, I'm a Jeep LJ owner and I HATE the newer Wranglers (JK and JL). This is a dream upgrade.

I LOVE IT. I REALLY DO. How do you feel about parts availability and reliability? Will all BMW shops work on them also?

84k!?!? No way in hell. Of course my use case is runs to hockey and costco.

Very cool old fashion aircraft controls. Amusing a small startup did this first while everyone is infatuated with touchscreens.

Hi Alex! Congrats on the purchase. I was just wondering about the lack of tread plates on the fenders. Are those merely just expensive pretty stickers or does their specification include any bolstering underneath for greater load bearing?

Nice! I'm curious what the cargo area height dimension is?

I have a theory and you may be able to figure out whether I'm correct. It goes like this. When Sir Jim was turned down by Land Rover to buy the factory line for the Defender, he turned to Mercedes Benz and actually bought the factory line for the G-wagon W-461 which ceased production in 2022. It was also a solid front axle design engineeed by Magna, which had recirculating ball steering which was not very well liked by journalists. He of course also bought the factory in Homberg, France and had the factory line moved there. I expect the Mercedes conditions of the contract were that he make the vehicle look British and not recognizable as a G-wagon derivative. Much the same as Chrysler did with so many old Mercedes platforms.

@markelliott6105

3 ай бұрын

G Wagons were, and still are, made in Graz, Austria where they passed the 500,000 mark early last year. The Mercedes plant in Hambach is where they made the Smart cars. They had extensively upgraded the plant to latest tech, planning to make EQ SUVs but then reshuffled their production strategy and no longer needed it. That made it a great opportunity for Ineos to move into an already operational state of the art facility and avoid the complexity of building from scratch in Wales. The basic design of the Grenadier was established early enough for JLR to sue Ineos for copying the Defender in 2018. The Grenadier final design was formally launched in June 2020. Ineos had already won the court case and the JLR appeal was decided in favour of Ineos in Aug 2020. Negotiations for the Hambach plant were the second half of 2020. By that time, the various effects of the Covid pandemic had smashed the auto industry with production facilities idled all over the world. Ineos came to the table at that time with cash to buy an already superfluous factory and a fresh court ruling on their design. I doubt anyone on the Mercedes team raised any kind of design demands to get in the way of that deal. But my biggest issue with your theory is that I agree with Alex and see a little G Wagon in the hood lines…😊

@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080

3 ай бұрын

​@markelliott6105 well the W-461 was a solid front axle vehicle that was the basis of the G-professional and military vehicles and ended production in 2022. Ineos received the robots and started production in their plant in 2023. Things that seem similar are the windshield, the suspension, the steering, the door handles (both thumb push), size and weight. Even the pickups are similar. The modern W-463 IFS version of the G-wagon went into production in 2018 in Graz. It was always produced on a different production line to the W-461 which was built by Magna in Steyr, Austria. So if the W-463 is built in a different plant in Graz, Austria, where are the robots that built the W-461 in Steyr if that plant is not building SFA ~ G's today?

@markelliott6105

3 ай бұрын

@@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080 I’m not sure your point… you’re identifying design elements similar to the G wagon but before you were theorising about a condition that required it not to look like a G….? If you are suggesting the plant start up timing allowed robots to be transferred from Austria because they weren’t required after W461 production stopped, a couple of points. Customer production actually started in late 2022 so commissioning of all the processes, including robots, started much earlier. The point of buying Hambach was because it was full of new equipment including robots. Production capacity continued at Graz because the W461 was simply replaced by the W464. But the main reason they didn’t transfer W461 robots is because there weren’t any - one of the most impressive things about the G Wagon is its all welded by hand and the quality they achieve is so good.

@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080

3 ай бұрын

Ya ​@@markelliott6105you are missing the point! The first thing is they don't look alike, but they do seem to share some parts, some specs, and definitely an engineering company. Your second point is still off. The W-464 is built in Graz, Austria since 2021 on the same line as the W-463 IFS car. Where did the factory line go that finished in early 2022 in Steyr, Austria that made the W-461? When Ineos bought the plant in Hambach, it had two lines. One line was still building Smart Cars. The other line was completely vacant with no machines or robots on it.

@markelliott6105

3 ай бұрын

🥴I’m certainly missing something. Your theory was that after being turned down by JLR, Sir Jim turned to Mercedes. No he didn’t. Work immediately progressed to develop his own design and he initially planned to build a factory in Wales. At this time, circa 2018, Mercedes commenced a 500 million euro investment to modernise the factory for upcoming Smart EV and an unspecified EV SUV. He only started talking to Mercedes in 2020 when they had finalised their JV with Geely for producing the Smart EV in China and they no longer needed Hambach capacity for the SUV.. He never bought a W-461 production line from the city of Steyr in Austria. There was never such a thing. The 461 was made in Graz along with all G Wagons. There was no vacant production line there either because the 461 was simply replaced by the 464. Which leaves the last part of your theory, that Mercedes had a condition in the contract that the Grenadier not be recognisable as a G Wagon derivative. I’m not exactly sure what that means but, as I already pointed out, the design of the Grenadier was already released and was, and is, reminiscent of the G Wagon, as it is of the old Defender. So no, I doubt they even asked for such a condition.

I was waiting for the part that I say " I want one of those". It never came. Good Luck with your new toy.

Dang if I was the richest man in Britain, I'd probably do something similar, albeit with a XJ Cherokee. How absolutely fantastic

I really like the design of the grenadier. Always like the g wagon and defenders. Have owned a series 1 and 2 discovery. I'd say it reminds me more of an old discovery than a wrangler but idk about all the off-road stuff you said, sounds cool though. Have taken both my discovery off-road along with a durango lol but the land rover was hard to beat imo. Now have a new 4runner limited which I love. I like pretty much everything about that grenadier except no center speedometer and like you said the pop off safari windows although owned a c4 lt1 corvette with a targa top, kinda the same thing. Mostly do highway driving so idk if this specific suv would appeal to me besides the styling.

Alex after your Goodwood report, I didn’t realise you were buying your own. Brilliant review which I will share. Your findings are very similar to mine. So far my only regret is not buying heated seats.

@AAutoBuyersGuide

3 ай бұрын

I wish heated steering wheels and lumbar support were an option.

It’s not an SUV!!! It’s a 4x4 😎

Nice crew bag. Luggage work 😃

Did the fix the tiny drivers wheel well for 2024? I'm 6' 1" with size 14 feet and I could not use the pedals.

I just took delivery of my Grenadier. I spec'd the tow package and aux power switch gear, but mine was delivered without the tow pkg. or NATO outlet. Dealer said it was coming later for North America, but you have both! Any idea what's going on?

Alex, What was it like to drive from California to your home one the interstate? Is it an easy drive, or do you constantly have to work the wheel to keep it going straight? Thanks!

Curious if that under seat fuse box is watertight.

That price is reasonable for a small volume new car company with cool features. But, unfortunately, out of my price range new. Hope they sell a bunch so I can get a used one in 5-10 years! 😀

Alex- Great video! Did you go with the 17" or 18" Steel Wheels? Thanks.

@AAutoBuyersGuide

2 ай бұрын

I went with 17s

@ront2857

2 ай бұрын

Thank you Alex for getting back to me. Epic looking rig!! Inspired me to go with Sela Green (with white roof).

Love that green color!

Really cool vehicle Alex, curious on how the headlights shine at night?

@AAutoBuyersGuide

3 ай бұрын

The headlights are fantastic, some of the best IMHO

Traders Joes tea, good taste

The 1060s was the last time I drove one but this seems to be roomier than a Land Rover, and you seem to have gobs of headroom. And, thank goodness it doesn't have a modern Land Rover engine and Lucas electronics.