When Sir Jim Ratcliffe couldn’t buy Land Rover’s old Defender tooling back in 2016, he did the next best thing and built his own from scratch. The Ineos Grenadier emerged from that frustration three years ago as a proper body-on-frame 4×4 that served as a spiritual successor to the classic Defender. Now entering its third production year, the British-built SUV gets its most significant updates yet, headlined by a new Black Edition that looks as moody as it sounds.
STEERING INTO THE FUTURE
The 2026 model year brings more than just aesthetic tweaks. Ineos engineers focused on the one complaint owners kept bringing up: on-road handling. A new variable-ratio steering box tightens things up around center, delivering sharper response on the highway and overtaking maneuvers without sacrificing capability off-road. They’ve also trimmed the turning circle by five percent through extended steering stops.
Inside, upgraded climate control components allow the cabin to heat and cool more predictably now. There’s also an updated ADAS suite with a one-touch shortcut to silence mandatory speed alerts, which most drivers will appreciate.
ALL-BLACK EVERYTHING
The Black Edition arrives as a pre-configured option based on the already well-equipped Fieldmaster trim. Available in both station wagon and Quartermaster pickup configurations, it commits fully to its namesake with Inky Black paint, gloss black 18-inch wheels, and a Dark Exterior Pack that blackens the grille and skidplates. Privacy glass and a lockable spare wheel storage box add some subtle theming, while dark headlining and carpet carry the motif inside.
Under the hood sits BMW’s proven 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six making 281 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed ZF automatic and a two-speed mechanical transfer case. It’s the same powertrain that’s been proving itself since launch with solid axles, locking differentials, and permanent four-wheel drive.
SPEC SHEET
Model: 2026 Ineos Grenadier Black Edition
Body Styles: Station Wagon, Quartermaster Pickup
Engine: BMW 3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Power: 281 hp / 331 lb-ft torque
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, two-speed transfer case
Drivetrain: Permanent 4WD with locking differentials
Wheels: 18-inch gloss black alloys
Base Trim: Fieldmaster
Available Colors: Inky Black (exclusive to Black Edition)
Price: $82,995
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The Black Edition starts at $82,995, sitting atop the Grenadier lineup while base models remain unchanged at $72,995 for the station wagon. Order books are open now with a limited production window — Ineos isn’t capping volume but won’t be building these indefinitely, so interested buyers shouldn’t wait around.
Recap
2026 Ineos Grenadier Black Edition
The 2026 Ineos Grenadier gets its biggest update yet with improved steering and handling for better on-road manners, plus a new all-black Black Edition that’s based on the Fieldmaster trim and starts at $82,995. It’s still the same capable, body-on-frame 4×4 underneath
