Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster (2024-) Review

Introduction

Ineos has made a sizable impact by delivering the Grenadier from concept to the showroom in only a few short years. Now, the Quartermaster, the brand’s third model and its first pick-up, bolsters an already impressive line-up as it looks to gain a foothold in the competitive commercial truck market.

But does this newcomer have what it takes to compete with the long-established pick-up models from Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota? We’ve tested the Quartermaster 3.0 diesel on the roads and dirt tracks of Italy to see how it measures up.

At a Glance

The Quartermaster's front-end design is boxy and stout, like that of the Commercial van and Station Wagon SUV versions. From the rear doors backwards, the bed is housed on an extended wheelbase of 3,227mm — a 305mm increase over the regular SUV — making the Quartermaster 5,440mm long.

A pair of BMW-derived 3.0 straight-six engines are available, and both have been re-tuned for use across the Grenadier line-up. The turbocharged petrol develops 286hp and 450Nm of torque, while the twin-turbocharged diesel produces 249hp and an improved torque figure of 550Nm.

A standard 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox sends power to all four wheels via a permanent four-wheel drive system. For tough terrain, there’s a centre-locking differential and a low-range transfer box, which are activated via a substantial mechanical lever on the centre console. Off-road and wading modes are also available.

The model line-up is simple, with the base Quartermaster being customisable to your specific needs via the extensive options list. Above this, the Trailmaster Edition gains additional off-road features, while the Fieldmaster Edition is deemed more of a lifestyle model equipped with luxury features and cosmetic upgrades.

Key Features

Like the other Grenadier models, the Quartermaster pickup shares the same singular engineering aim: to be a seriously capable off-road vehicle that can tackle any terrain.

Underneath the bodywork, you’ll find the same underpinnings as the other Grenadier models. Of course, given the off-road prowess on offer, everything has been designed with off-road ability and durability in mind, with a ladder frame chassis, solid beam axles, heavy-duty long-travel coil spring suspension, and a recirculating ball steering setup.

The off-road focus continues on the outside as well. You’ll find chunky bumpers, circular LED headlights, auxiliary high beam lights in the centre of the front grille, front and rear skid plates, and rubberised roof strips with lashing points that allow you to carry items on the roof.

There’s also an array of customisation options available, meaning you can spec up your Quartermaster as a rugged go-anywhere workhorse, a towing vehicle, or a weekend off-roading rig.

Performance & Drive

Despite its rugged design, the Quartermaster delivers reasonable refinement and accuracy on the road. However, its recirculating ball steering offers a vastly different experience from all of its rivals, as it doesn’t self-centre when navigating a corner, requiring you to make continual inputs to straighten the front wheels — something that becomes immediately obvious when exiting a roundabout or a sharper corner!

This steering is quickly mastered, though, and once you’ve got the hang of it, the substantial weight and permanent four-wheel drive make it feel composed on the road. Refinement is impressive as well, with the well-insulated cabin doing a good job of suppressing road and wind noise at speed. The ride is compliant and smooth on most surfaces, although the off-road-centric suspension can be unsettled by larger road imperfections, making the ride noticeably crashy at times.

Off the beaten track is where the Quartermaster is at its best. Across a mix of grassy fields, mud-laden sections, and rocky hills, we found it to be completely capable, whatever the surface. Here, the four-wheel drive system provided plenty of traction, and the tall suspension and ground clearance meant there was no bottoming out.

The diesel engine in our test car was very smooth and refined, providing strong pulling power at the press of the throttle. It’s reasonably quiet during everyday driving, but when pushed hard, it does emit a fair bit of diesel clatter. At all speeds, the engine is very well matched to the 8-speed automatic gearbox, with smooth and quick shifts.

Running Costs

Every version of the Quartermaster weighs over 2.6 tonnes, so fuel economy is far from the best in class. The 3.0-litre diesel-powered model is the most frugal, managing up to 25.9mpg, although our test car barely reached 20mpg after a mix of on- and off-road driving. The standard 3.0-litre petrol has even more of a thirst, managing up to 19.6mpg — and that’s the official figure!

The Quartermaster is too new to determine its future residual values yet, and its PCP and leasing rates are relatively high compared to less expensive rivals like the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. Another consideration is its sub-one tonne load capacity, meaning business buyers won’t be able to automatically claim back any VAT when buying one.

For company car drivers, the entry-level model starts at just over £66,000, including VAT and OTR costs. This means a hefty monthly tax bill of over £800 for higher-rate taxpayers.

Annual servicing is required, and despite being a new brand, there are over twenty Ineos-approved service centres dotted around the UK. Ineos also provides a generous five-year unlimited mileage warranty, although there’s just a three-year paint warranty. A twelve-year anti-perforation warranty is also standard.

Interior & Tech

Unlike its rivals, the Quartermaster's interior focuses on simplicity rather than digital screens. Its design is identical to the Grenadier Utility Wagon, with an array of large physical switches divided across the centre console and the roof panel, giving it the feel of an aircraft when you first step inside. Everything is laid out with a common sense approach, with the most often used climate and radio switches located on the centre of the dashboard, while the various off-road functions and blank pre-wired switches for additional accessories are located on the roof panel.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen sits at the top of the dashboard, and this is used to display the speedometer and other essential driving information. This setup is straightforward to use while driving, has a crisp and clear display, and is quick to respond to inputs. For those who don’t want to use the touchscreen, there’s a handy rotary dial controller on the centre console. The standard tech list is plentiful, with navigation, DAB radio, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay all included.

One small grumble is the lack of a dial cluster behind the steering wheel, with only a small display used to display warning lights and off-road modes. This is slightly distracting, as you have to take your eyes off the road to look at your speedometer.

Everything feels well put together inside, although the physical switches and dials do feel light to the touch. Throughout the cabin, there’s a blend of hard-wearing materials that are dirt-resistant and rubber floors with drain plugs that can be hosed down, giving you the feeling that the Quartermaster was built to get muddy inside. Reassuringly, all of the critical switchgear is both dust- and water-resistant.

The utilitarian interior design doesn’t sacrifice comfort, either. There’s plenty of headroom and elbow room for front passengers, and the Recaro branded seats are very supportive, especially when off-roading. The rear seats are slightly cramped compared to some rivals, and the seating position is quite upright, making them better suited to shorter journeys rather than long road trips.

Payload & Practicality

Despite having an ‘N1’ commercial vehicle classification, the petrol version of the Quartermaster can only carry a payload of 835kg. Opt for diesel, and the maximum payload is reduced further to a mere 760kg, meaning business users won’t be able to reclaim the VAT on either model. The towing capacity is 3,500kg for both engines, and the maximum gross train weight is 7,000kg.

The load bed, measuring 1,564mm long and 1,619mm wide, is large enough to carry a Euro pallet. However, to fully utilise the bed's width, you’ll need to remove the full-size spare wheel. Access is straightforward via the 1,280mm wide tailgate, which can hold up to 225kg when open.

The entry-level version gets a spartan unlined bed from the factory but can be kitted out to match your needs via the options list, with items like a load bay liner and a variety of accessories for securing cargo. For those wanting more versatility, you can add several useful accessories, including a 400w power take-off, an integrated mounting bar, and four quick-release tie-down rings. Ineos also offers a canvas load bed cover on the options list.

Safety

Ineos’ ADAS safety suite is standard on all models. While it does offer intelligent speed assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver drowsiness detection, it lacks some of the useful features found on some rivals, such as blind spot warning. You do get rear parking sensors as standard, a helpful feature for parking such a large pickup, while front sensors and a reversing camera are available from the options list.

As of May 2024, none of the Ineos Grenadier line-up hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP. Given that the Grenadier is likely to be a low-volume seller, it’s unlikely to be tested in the near future, either.

Options

While the Quartermaster range consists of only three models, all can be personalised according to your use case. Upgrading to the Trailmaster Edition gets you more off-road tech, including the Rough and Smooth packs, along with a power hookup and cargo tie-downs in the bed. While the Fieldmaster Edition gets luxury items such as safari windows on the roof, leather-trimmed seats, and a premium stereo system.

If you want to go off-road, there’s an extensive array of upgrades on offer, including front and rear locking differentials, a raised air intake, rock slider bars, front and rear-mounted winches, and even a heavy-duty shovel. Our test car was shod in the optional BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres that proved to be brilliantly capable off-road during our test.

Those who want a mobile workstation are well catered for as well, with an auxiliary battery and a 400w power take-off ensuring you’ll never be short of power when you’re on or off the road.

Inside, you can upgrade from the hard-wearing standard interior trim to leather trim or opt for heavy-duty seat covers. There’s also the Saddle Leather Driver’s Pack, which adds contrasting dark brown leather trim to the steering wheel, passenger grab handle, and handbrake. A practical, lockable central storage tray is also available.

The customisation options also extend to the outside, with 14 different paint colours to choose from. Our test car looked fantastic in ‘Scottish White,’ a no-cost colour that contrasts very well with the black bumpers and detailing dotted around the bodywork. There’s also a choice of steel or alloy wheels, which can be specced in 17- or 18-inch sizes.

The Toyota Hilux boasts an excellent reputation for reliability. This is backed up by an extensive three-year standard warranty, which can be extended annually for up to 10 years. It’s also a decent performer off-road, but it’s not as polished on the road as some of its rivals.

The latest Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok share similar tech and the same powertrains underneath, and both are very capable off-road. The Ford offers a better driving experience on tarmac, though, while the Volkswagen has a more premium cabin.

An Isuzu D-Max offers plenty of off-road capability, but only if you choose the high-spec models. It also has a well-appointed cabin but is slightly let down by the somewhat lacklustre 1.9-litre diesel engine, which needs to be worked hard to get the best out of it.

Verdict

The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is an impressively capable truck that offers a wealth of off-road ability, an eye-catching utilitarian design with a premium cabin, and an extensive array of customisation options.

It’s difficult to compare it directly with competitors like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Volkswagen Amarok, which all offer a more refined driving experience on the road. When it comes to off-road ability, though, the Quartermaster simply has them beat, making it one of the best go-anywhere vehicles on the market, along with a wealth of versatility.

It fills this niche perfectly for private buyers who want a rugged off-roader that’ll go anywhere. However, its high price and the lack of VAT exemption status make it tough to recommend for commercial users over its rivals.

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up.