Behind the wheel: Millie and partner/passenger Jack  

Jumping out of the sleek, silent Audi Q6 SUV e-tron and into the rugged Ineos Grenadier was like stepping into another world. The first thing that hit me? Buttons. Everywhere.

In an era where most car manufacturers are stripping interiors down to minimalist touchscreens, the Grenadier proudly bucks the trend. It’s unapologetically analog, with a cockpit that feels more like an aircraft than a car—especially with the overhead panel packed with switches, ready for all the extra gear you might want to hook up (more on that later).

Unlike many modern SUVs that lean heavily into luxury and lifestyle, the Grenadier is built with purpose. Engineered in Austria, assembled in France, and named after a London pub where the idea was first conceived, the Grenadier is tough, rugged, functional and made for the outdoors.

What a machine. Big in size, big in torque, and packed with presence. Powered by a BMW-sourced engine, the Grenadier is a head-turning off-road beast that doesn’t shy away from city streets either. I took it on a proper Aussie adventure—from the city to the country and all the way to the coast—testing it across a variety of terrains and having a blast along the way.

Being nearly five metres long, the Ineos Grenadier has no shortage of presence on the road!

Our first leg took us to Coleambally for a camping trip. As a builder’s daughter, I made a quick stop at Bunnings so I could rig up a makeshift bed that would stretch across the back seats and boot—no tent for me, thanks!

With Apple CarPlay guiding us, we cruised up the highway and across the border with ease. Once we arrived at our friend’s farm, the Grenadier got to stretch its legs through the cotton fields, offering a scenic and surprisingly smooth ride thanks to its high clearance and rugged build.

The Grenadier station wagon is wide and tall, at nearly 5 metres in length and standing at over 2 metres tall. It offers a claimed 1,152 litres of storage space and a huge 2,035 litres if you fold the seats down. The split barn doors are also a thoughtful touch and perfect for adventurers. You can open the smaller door for tossing in gear or if you need to grab something quickly, while swinging both open gives you full access to the back. We took full advantage of this when setting up our bed at the back of the Grenadier for a night under the stars. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was perfect.

After two nights under the stars, we packed up and headed through the Hay Plains to Nyah, a quiet town near Swan Hill on the Murray River. There, we took the Grenadier off-road through forest trails and along the riverbanks. Now, I’ll admit—any hardcore 4WD enthusiast would probably say I barely scratched the surface. But for what we did tackle, the Grenadier handled it like a champ. What would’ve been a bone-rattling ride in most cars was surprisingly comfortable.

From the inland plains to the southern coast, we made our way to Inverloch in the Gippsland region. While we didn’t push the Grenadier to its limits here, it certainly made an impression. Rolling into golf courses with buggies and bags in tow, the massive boot space proved its worth. It’s not just a workhorse—it’s a lifestyle vehicle.

Back in inner Melbourne, the Grenadier felt a bit out of its element. It’s not exactly zippy, and the turning circle is... generous. Let’s just say I’ve perfected the three-point turn. Steering also requires a bit more muscle than I’m used to—think of it as an unexpected core workout.

The Ineos Grenadier is packed with features, but below are some that stood out for me.

Buttons, buttons, buttons
The Grenadier is built for explorers.

Let’s start with the roof. Borrowing a page from the Boeing cockpit playbook, the overhead panel is lined with a bunch of big, clearly labelled buttons and switches, many of which are dedicated to serious off-road functionality. There are even blank panels ready for future upgrades. In front, the theme continues with oversized dials and switches for everyday functions like climate control and audio, while there are a handful of basic controls on the steering wheel.

It’s a layout that prioritises function over fashion—and that’s exactly the point.

Fuel gauge intelligence
Designed with remote travel in mind, the fuel warning light kicks in earlier than usual—around half a tank. Why? So you’ve got plenty of range left when you're far from the next servo.

Central speedometer
It threw me off at first, but the speedo is located in the centre console screen. Once you get used to it, it’s actually quite intuitive.

The “toot” button
My absolute favourite feature. A bright red button labelled “TOOT” activates a softer horn designed for cyclists. It’s a thoughtful touch from the Ineos founder, an avid cyclist himself, who wanted a gentler way to alert riders without scaring them off their bikes.

Exterior mounting brackets
Strategically placed around the vehicle, these brackets make it easy to secure gear to the outside—perfect for overlanders and tradies alike.

Final thoughts

The Ineos Grenadier isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a purpose-built, no-nonsense 4x4 that’s as comfortable on a farm as it is parked outside a golf club. It’s not the easiest to manoeuvre in tight city streets, but if you’re after a vehicle that’s ready for real adventure, this one’s got your name on it. Just be ready to embrace the buttons.