We may not be in the same league as the indigenous peoples of North America when talking about snow, or those of the Middle East about sand.
But depending on which regional dialect you zoom in on, you may find as many as 30 synonyms for mud in the various tongues of the British Isles.
Clag, clart, gunk, mire, ooze – call it what you will, it seems we are notorious global experts on it. And we’re looking at the full glorious spectrum of it today, in an old Rutland limestone quarry criss-crossed with tracks and paths.
This is exactly the kind of place we need to be to settle a question posed by the arrival of the new, J250-generation Toyota Land Cruiser.
Here and now, which is the best, toughest and most capable road-legal, dual-purpose off-roading 4x4 on sale?
It will take plenty of climbing, descending, articulating, crawling, fording, squelching and squeezing to know. In the way of the new Toyota stands some very serious opposition.
The Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender are cars whose stories are irrevocably intertwined. The first is close enough in design and concept to the original Series Land Rover as to feel almost like an unsanctioned restomod.
The second is the long-awaited official sequel model similar in spirit but altered in execution – much to the apparent approval of the SUV-buying public.
The Grenadier – with its ladder frame, rigid beam axles, recirculating ball steering and three locking mechanical differentials – could be called studiously traditional.
The Defender – with its monocoque chassis and independent suspension, actively managed air springs, ‘intelligent’ driveline (itself with two active locking diffs) and myriad Terrain Response off-road driving modes – is fully committed to the technological avant garde.
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If we are honest, and we had to take our family through a desert or a jungle...all of us would surely choose the Toyota? I'm not a fan of any of the three off-roaders, personally (Toyota too ugly, Defender too frail, Grenadier too inexperienced). But if lives were at stake, then it has to be the Toyota.
On a side note, just how long will Ratcliffe continue to pour money into Ineos and see it burnt up? They have sold 11 Grenadiers this year against over 5,000 Land Rovers. And before anyone says, 'Seat supply issues' they only sold 24 in Jan/Feb last year! Ineos Automotive must be losing millions per week. I still say it was the wrong model - should have been a 2-door...like the Defender 90 he wanted to replace!!!...cheaper, made in Britain, and without that nose.
I agree with everything you said, but just to highlight the points I most agree with I shortened your post.
Landrovers will go anywhere when specced correctly, but the problem is (and its an old cliche) they may not come back, its an issue that they cant seem to shake, JLR products are not reliable, Toyota may not be as tough as they used to be, but thats probably a good thing, and the Ineos answers questions no one is really asking any more.
When the Ineos was announced, a no-nonsense Defender replacement, there was a gap in the market for a rugged pickup style 4x4, especially at the target price.
Reality bit, the price went up considerably, it was no longer a workhorse simple vehicle, it has too many compromises, the RHD versions are uncomfortable to drive because of the lump in the footwell (bad design), the steering is shocking, then the real problem was JLR released the new Defender, and its a massive hit, and those who wanted a pickup 4x4 bought a Ford Ranger, and those who wanted a 4x4 to pose bought a Defender.
The Ineos pickup should have been released first, with a manual gearbox and and a 4 pot diesel engine from Toyota or Isuzu, at a significanly lower price, with the current Grenadier released later for those that want a bit of luxury.
I cant see there being a mk2.
If we were honest we not going into a jungle anytime soon. So as these cars cars spend 99% on the road and the remainder in a slightly muddy field we'd be better off in a Defender 110, especially if you had to look at the cheap plastics in the Toyota then work out just how over priced it is.
The Land Cruiser should be immediately disqualified because you can't actually buy it, thanks to Toyota playing silly buggers with the sales channel just like they did with the GR86 and GR Yaris. They seem determined to not let the UK and Europe have any cool cars (and no, whining about EU regulations and emissions isn't an excuse as other manufacturers seem to be perfectly capable of bringing their equivalent cars to market). Also for some strange reason they won't offer the petrol or PHEV powertrain here either.
I whereondered about that it was on the Toyota website but there were only two trim levels First Edition & Invincible but when I looked last week it was off sale,what are Toyota playing at they've jacked the entry price up to £75k do they not want to sell cars
A comparison test without car prices. Why? The Toyota is my choice, since I want to make sure, taking an off-road trip, that I return driving the car.The article didn't convince me not to buy the Ineos. I have never considered it, but still think Sir Ratcliffe is a great enterpreneur and Ineos will prevail.