Why Choose an INEOS Grenadier Camper? Our Journey from Sceptics to Converts

If you’re looking for a serious modern 4x4 that can double as a compact camper and take you well beyond the usual campsites, the INEOS Grenadier is becoming a very interesting option.

We’ll admit, though – we weren’t completely sold on it at first.

As classic Land Rover Defender owners and camper converters, we love the character, simplicity and capability of the old Defender. When the Grenadier arrived, it was obviously aimed at people like us – but initially there were a few things holding us back.

Fast forward to today and things have changed considerably. We now have our own Grenadier ready to be transformed into a camper, and the more time we spend around these vehicles, the more we think they could make one of the best compact overland campers currently available.

So, what changed our minds?

Why we weren't convinced by the Grenadier at first

Let's start with the looks.

When the Grenadier first came out, we weren't entirely sure about the front end. That large standard bumper made it look a little heavy to us and, if we're being completely truthful, we thought it was a bit ugly with an over shot jaw! 

Then we started seeing modified Grenadiers.

At the Abenteuer & Allrad show in Germany last year there were Grenadiers everywhere, including some seriously impressive builds fitted with roo bars, additional spotlights, roof racks and other overland accessories.

Some of them looked absolutely badass!

The more we've seen them modified and set up for overlanding, the more the design has grown on us. In fact, we've gone full circle – we now really like the way the Grenadier looks. Bizarrely we think the Alu Cab available for it actually improves it's looks too as it gives it slightly more height which it kinda needs being quite squat as standard. This is the opposite the classic defender where the Alu Cab took a bit of getting used to as it takes away that classic defender look everybody loves and looks a bit like it's got a mohawk until you start adding roof racks, spotlights and solar etc. 

Image courtesy of Alu-Cab

And that's particularly relevant if you're thinking about a Grenadier camper conversion, because there is already a huge range of equipment available to completely change both the appearance and capability of the vehicle.

What about the Grenadier's Initial software issues?

Another thing that initially made us hesitant was the reports of software glitches on some of the earlier vehicles.

Whenever a completely new vehicle comes onto the market, particularly from a new manufacturer, there are inevitably going to be questions about reliability and teething problems.

Before buying ours, we did a lot of research. We read owner forums, reviews and experiences from people actually living with the vehicles rather than simply relying on launch reviews.

Our impression from that research is that many of the early software complaints have been addressed through subsequent updates and the conversation around the vehicle now seems far more focused on actually using and modifying them.

For us, that gave us considerably more confidence in buying one.

And what about the Grenadier steering?

The steering is another thing you'll see mentioned frequently if you research the INEOS Grenadier.

It uses a recirculating-ball steering system rather than the rack-and-pinion arrangement most modern SUV drivers will be familiar with. Official specifications give it 3.85 turns lock-to-lock, so it can certainly feel different when you first get behind the wheel. It also doesn't return to centre which feels strange at first but we soon got used to it. 

But coming from old Land Rover Defenders, we actually didn't find this particularly concerning.

If anything, it was strangely familiar.

The Grenadier doesn't drive exactly like a modern SUV – and that's partly the point. There are little quirks to the way it drives that reminded us more of an old Defender.

For somebody moving from a modern luxury SUV it might take a little getting used to. For us, it just felt like part of the character.

Then we actually drove one...

Research is one thing. Driving one is another.

We went to Denton Cars in Skipton, the INEOS Grenadier dealer for Yorkshire, and took one out for a test drive.

And we fell a little bit in love with it.

It had many of the things we enjoy about driving our old Defender, but without some of the compromises that come with running a vehicle designed several decades ago.

We loved the power and sound of the 3 litre diesel engine and we do like an auto gearbox. The cab is one of the best cabs we've ever sat in - it feels like you are piloting a plane! 

Denton Cars were also brilliant to deal with and we'd happily recommend them if you're in Yorkshire and considering a Grenadier. Go and drive one – we'd be interested to know whether you come away feeling the same way we did.

A more modern alternative to an old Defender

This is probably one of the biggest reasons the Grenadier started making sense to us as a camper platform.

We absolutely love our old Defenders. We aren't about to stop building Defender campers.

But if you're planning long European road trips, driving thousands of miles to the Alps or heading further afield on an overland adventure, there are obvious advantages to having something newer.

The Grenadier gives you things such as air conditioning and an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox as standard, together with modern BMW six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines.

The diesel has an official combined economy figure of roughly 23–27mpg, depending on specification. It's never going to be an economy car – it's a big, heavy, extremely capable 4x4 – but for long-distance travel it makes for a very different proposition to an old Defender.

Most importantly for us, it still feels like a proper 4x4 rather than simply a modern SUV.

It's seriously capable off-road

This is where the Grenadier gets particularly interesting.

The vehicle was designed from the outset around off-road capability, with a ladder-frame chassis, solid beam axles, permanent four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case and centre differential lock. Front and rear differential locks are also available.

We've read and watched countless tests of Grenadiers being driven in genuinely difficult terrain and its capability seems exceptional. There are even owners and reviewers who consider it more capable in certain situations than the old Defender.

We're looking forward to finding that out for ourselves on some trickier off roading. We have taken the Grenadier over some farmers fields and it felt very comfortable and capable so we are ver excited to get our teeth into some green lanes soon! 

INEOS itself describes the Grenadier as an uncompromising off-roader, and its growing reputation backs that up: in 2026 it was named Off-Road SUV of Texas for the second consecutive year.

For a camper designed around getting away from conventional campsites, that's exactly the sort of base vehicle we want.

The Alu-Cab Silenus changes everything

This was a big one for us.

One of the things we love most about our Defender camper Skafta is its Alu-Cab Icarus roof conversion. Having a proper pop-top sleeping area permanently integrated into the vehicle completely transforms what you can do with such a compact 4x4.

So when Alu-Cab introduced the Silenus Roof Conversion for the INEOS Grenadier, our interest in the Grenadier went up considerably.

Rather than simply placing a rooftop tent on a roof rack, the original Grenadier roof is replaced with an integrated aluminium pop-top.

The result is a sleeping area for two upstairs, while lifting the bed gives you standing room inside the vehicle below. You can also leave bedding inside when the roof is closed.

That combination opens up some really interesting possibilities for the interior.

Instead of trying to squeeze an entire conventional campervan into a 4x4, you can concentrate on creating a beautifully designed living space with storage, cooking facilities, water, electrics and everything required for travelling off-grid.

For the type of campers we like to build, the Grenadier and Alu-Cab Silenus feel like a very natural combination.

Headspace campers also now make a roof conversion for the Grenadier which looks very nice although we haven't seen one in the flesh. It's a really good sign that interest in the Grenadiers are growing given the 2 big players in the 4x4 roof conversion market have invested in making roof conversions for them. 

The accessory market is already huge

Another reason we're increasingly excited about the Grenadier is the speed at which the aftermarket has embraced it.

Spend any time looking at Grenadier builds in Europe, America or Australia and you'll find roof racks, awnings, shower cubes, storage systems, ladders, protection, lighting, recovery equipment, bumpers and all manner of overlanding accessories.

That's important.

Part of what has made the Defender such a brilliant platform for adventure travel is the enormous ecosystem of equipment available for it. The Grenadier hasn't been around for anything like as long, yet it already feels like it's heading in the same direction.

Alu-Cab's Silenus system, for example, can be combined with accessories including its Shadow Awning and Shower Cube.

For anyone wanting to create a genuinely capable INEOS Grenadier overland camper, there are already plenty of options.

Image courtesy of Alu-Cab

The Grenadier is growing internationally

The Grenadier still isn't an everyday sight on UK roads, but globally the picture is interesting.

Having visited Abenteuer & Allrad and seen how many Grenadiers are already being turned into proper expedition and overland vehicles, it certainly feels as though the rest of the world has embraced them more quickly than we have here in the UK.

We suspect we're going to start seeing a lot more of them.

So, is a Grenadier camper better than a Defender camper?

We don't think it's quite as simple as saying one is better.

An old Defender has something incredibly difficult to replicate. There is history, character and charm attached to them and we still absolutely love building Defender campers.

But the Grenadier offers something different.

It gives you much of that old-school 4x4 philosophy in a considerably newer package.

For somebody wanting to travel long distances through Europe, head into the mountains, tackle genuine off-road terrain and then stop somewhere remote for the night, a Grenadier camper starts to make a lot of sense.

You get serious off-road ability, modern engines, an automatic gearbox, air conditioning and an ever-growing range of overland accessories – while the Alu-Cab Silenus roof means it can become a surprisingly capable compact camper without losing the fundamental character of the vehicle.

And unlike many modern SUVs, it still feels like something designed to get dirty.

That's probably what ultimately won us over.

Our first INEOS Grenadier camper conversion is coming

After all that research – and that rather dangerous test drive at Denton Cars – we've finally done it.

We now have our own INEOS Grenadier and we're about to convert it.

We're really excited to see what we can create with this platform and we'll be sharing the build as it develops.

If you're considering your own INEOS Grenadier camper conversion, we'd love to hear from you. We can help with a complete bespoke Grenadier camper conversion or with the supply and fitment of an Alu-Cab Silenus roof conversion.

Get in touch with Brown Bird & Co to discuss your Grenadier, your travel plans and what you'd like to create.

We have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more Grenadier campers over the next few years.