Something interesting is happening on the streets of Harare — a slow but unmistakable surge of boxy, no-nonsense SUVs turning heads and stirring curiosity. This week alone, DRIVEtorque spotted no fewer than seven examples prowling the capital: the Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster. Built by a company that wasn’t even in the automotive business a decade ago, the Grenadier is carving out a space of its own — equal parts throwback and technological triumph — and Zimbabwean motorists are beginning to take notice.

The Spirit of the Defender, Refined
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, the Ineos Grenadier draws heavy inspiration from the old Land Rover Defender, and enthusiast circles make the comparison daily. But to describe it as merely a “Defender upgrade” doesn’t do it justice. It is the unconventional take on the conventional SUV — a utility vehicle that marries rugged mechanical simplicity with thoroughly modern refinement.

Beneath that unapologetically square silhouette lies proper engineering muscle. The Grenadier Trialmaster in Zimbabwe comes with a choice of BMW-sourced 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines: the silky ‘B58’ turbo petrol pushing 209 kW and 450 Nm of torque, or the ‘B57’ turbo diesel delivering 183 kW and a mighty 550 Nm. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic, offering the kind of bulletproof precision that seasoned off-roaders appreciate.
For towing, it’s rated up to 3500kg braked, meaning it will comfortably haul your boat, horse trailer, or even a heavy safari rig across Zimbabwe’s diverse terrain.

Built for the Bush, at Home in Borrowdale
Zimbabwe’s roads — from polished city tarmac to pothole-pocked rural routes — are a natural proving ground for a machine like the Grenadier. With 264mm of ground clearance, 800mm of wading depth, and approach, departure, and ramp-over angles of 35.5°, 36.1°, and 28.2° respectively, it shrugs off obstacles that would send softer SUVs scurrying back to suburbia.

The Trialmaster edition adds a full complement of three electronic locking differentials (front, centre, and rear), ensuring that even if traction gives out on one side, the Grenadier will keep powering forward. Throw in wheel articulation of 9° front and 12° rear, and you’re looking at a vehicle that genuinely earns the “go anywhere” badge.
It rides on Bridgestone All-Terrain or BF Goodrich KO2 LT tyres — proper off-road rubber matched to 17- or 18-inch alloys — giving both grip and gravel resilience.

Old-School Looks, New-Age Backbone
Inside, the utilitarian aesthetic continues, but don’t mistake simplicity for austerity. Switches and toggles are deliberate and mechanical, designed for glove-friendly operation on rough trails. There’s even a central overhead control panel straight out of an aircraft cockpit — a delight for the inner adventurer. Yet, this is not a spartan cabin. The materials feel robust, the ergonomics thoughtful, and BMW’s touch in the drivetrain refinement means the Grenadier feels composed at highway speeds too.
It’s the rare SUV that feels equally capable parked outside a city café or deep in Gonarezhou’s sand tracks.

The Zimbabwe Appeal
So why is it catching on here? The reasons are both practical and emotional. Farmers, safari operators, and urban adventurers alike see in the Grenadier what the Defender once represented — a vehicle that simply does the job. But with modern reliability, parts support, and BMW power, it doesn’t ask for the same patience older off-road icons demanded.

At nearly every filling station where one stops, conversation follows. There’s curiosity, admiration, and an element of nostalgia. It’s as if the Grenadier has reignited a collective yearning for authenticity — a machine that isn’t pretending to be something it’s not.

Verdict
The Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster isn’t just another premium SUV muscling its way into the Zimbabwean market — it’s a statement. It signals that adventure still matters, that simplicity still has a place in a tech-saturated world, and that the spirit of exploration still lives among us.
At DRIVEtorque, we’ll call it what it is: the unconventional SUV Zimbabwe didn’t know it needed — until now.