When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Well it's official - picked up our Trialmaster Grenadier this past Friday. Thought I'd update this thread with my thoughts. Overall I really, really like the Grenadier. It drives more like a truck than the Defender. At first it was slightly more involved with the different steering inputs but after 500 miles I'm used to it and it's a non issue. It's ever so slightly bigger than the Defender and the rear storage has better access. You sit more on top of the Grenadier vs tucked inside as on the Defender. Other than the view out the back with the split doors the visibility is better and I have fewer blind spots. May install an aftermarket rear view camera similar to the ClearSight one I had on the Defender at some point. It's not as high tech as the Defender, which I knew going in and shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Road noise is similar, maybe a little less in the Grenadier (I had the expedition roof rack on our Defender, likely the same once I find a rack or roof bars I like). Stereo was much better in the Defender, which is to be expected going from the top end Meridian system to four speakers. I figured I could always upgrade the system in the Grenadier a bit if I want.
In the end I'm happy with the move and I'd do it again. While I always liked the new Defender for what it was, the Grenadier is what I would have bought the first time had it been available. To me it fits in with the GWagon Professional and the original Defender. If anyone has some experience with the previous GWagon - feels almost the same. Feel free to ask any questions and take care!
That's the blue for me. Love it. I was all excited and juiced up with my build. That blue and a red ladder-frame. I hope you get many miles of happy trails with it. Great to see some appearing in the USA. Can't wait to have some fun with the OP and his.
Keep posting! I have no idea where I am in the queue, but I think I'm back a few. I ordered the second day that it opened (or put a deposit down) which means that I'll likely pick mine up in 2032..... About the time ICE are outlawed....
Well it's official - picked up our Trialmaster Grenadier this past Friday. Thought I'd update this thread with my thoughts. Overall I really, really like the Grenadier. It drives more like a truck than the Defender. At first it was slightly more involved with the different steering inputs but after 500 miles I'm used to it and it's a non issue. It's ever so slightly bigger than the Defender and the rear storage has better access. You sit more on top of the Grenadier vs tucked inside as on the Defender. Other than the view out the back with the split doors the visibility is better and I have fewer blind spots. May install an aftermarket rear view camera similar to the ClearSight one I had on the Defender at some point. It's not as high tech as the Defender, which I knew going in and shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Road noise is similar, maybe a little less in the Grenadier (I had the expedition roof rack on our Defender, likely the same once I find a rack or roof bars I like). Stereo was much better in the Defender, which is to be expected going from the top end Meridian system to four speakers. I figured I could always upgrade the system in the Grenadier a bit if I want.
In the end I'm happy with the move and I'd do it again. While I always liked the new Defender for what it was, the Grenadier is what I would have bought the first time had it been available. To me it fits in with the GWagon Professional and the original Defender. If anyone has some experience with the previous GWagon - feels almost the same. Feel free to ask any questions and take care!
Lovely color choice, looks great. I was at a local car club event last weekend and they had two on display for us to look at. While I didn't get to test drive it - I did like the interior and options. I'm glad that it exists. I do wish that the front end looked more like the old defender - but I know they could not copy it too much, the side and rear profile are nice. Keep us posted on your vehicle.
I have one on order but leaning towards keeping my defender after doing a long test drive. I really like the vintage exterior styling. Interior aviation inspired design is very cool and I really like the safari windows. But I might wait to see what the 'more luxury oriented' version that they have hinted at is like.
