Review: 2025 INEOS Quartermaster (Petrol)
Built Like a Brick Outhouse – And That’s a Compliment
You’ve got to hand it to INEOS, when they said they were going to build a proper 4x4, they weren’t mucking about. The Grenadier station wagon was their first shot across the bow of modern SUVs, flipping the bird to crossovers with their daft coupe rooflines and fake skid plates. Now, they’ve taken that already rugged package, lopped off the back, added a proper truck bed and called it the Quartermaster.
We’ve been driving the 2025 Quartermaster petrol for the past week or so, and it’s fair to say it’s made quite the impression, not always elegant, not always efficient, but definitely memorable. Think of it as the automotive equivalent of a working dog: mucky, grumbly, occasionally smelly, but incredibly capable.
Let’s Talk Looks: Tonka Truck Vibes
From the outside, the Quartermaster looks exactly how a 4x4 double-cab pickup should look, squared-off, bluff, and with all the visual subtlety of a rugby team on a pub crawl. The ladder chassis sticks out under the belly like it’s proud to show off, and the approach and departure angles scream “point me at a mountain.”
It’s longer than the Grenadier wagon, with a 3,227mm wheelbase and a load bay that’ll swallow a Euro pallet whole, but it doesn’t look stretched or awkward. It just looks… serious.
On-Road Ride: Agricultural Chic
Now, let’s not kid ourselves, the Quartermaster is a proper 4x4, not a car pretending to be one. And as such, it rides like a proper body-on-frame bruiser. That said, at slow speeds around town, it doesn’t bounce you about like you’ve offended it, and if you hit a pothole, well, what pothole?
Once you get some speed up, say, 50mph and above, it smooths out even more. There’s a reassuring weight to everything. The steering is slow but predictable, body roll is manageable, and it doesn't wallow like an old Defender.
On the subject of steering, because this is one area where the Quartermaster separates itself from other vehicles. It’s heavy, especially at low speeds, and doesn’t self-centre like most modern cars. Some will grumble that it feels like arm day at the gym, but it’s been deliberately designed this way, prioritising off-road precision over tarmac twiddling - and it works.
At first, it can be a bit of a shock, but once you settle in, you realise it’s actually quite confidence-inspiring. You’re driving with the vehicle, even on fast and winding country lanes it becomes quite predictable - and fun, just don’t expect to one-finger your way into a parking space. Oh yeah, and it’s got the same turning circle as a battleship - nimble it most certainly isn’t.
The BMW-sourced 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol is buttery smooth, with 286bhp and enough torque (450Nm) to drag a small moon. Mated to a ZF 8-speed auto, it's punchy when you need it to be, and cruises surprisingly well on motorways. But make no mistake: if you’re coming from a car-like pickup (Amarok, Hilux Invincible, etc.), this’ll feel raw. Delightfully so, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Off-Road Capability: A Mountain Goat in Steel-Toe Boots
Off-road, the Quartermaster earns its stripes. It’s got proper off-road bits, centre, front and rear diff locks (the full holy trinity on the Trailmaster), permanent 4WD with low range, and solid axles with enough articulation to make a yoga instructor wince.
We threw it down rutted green lanes, up steep shale climbs, and through boggy fields, and it never once felt out of its depth. Traction is plentiful, and even on standard BFG All-Terrains, it just keeps going.
The ground clearance is generous (264mm), and the wading depth is a paddling-pool-busting 800mm. It feels unstoppable, and crucially, not precious. You don't mind getting it dirty, because it wants to be filthy.
Interior Spec & Comfort: Industrial Yet Surprisingly Cosy
The cabin is unmistakably INEOS, you sit high, the windscreen is near vertical, and the dash is… well, imagine a fighter jet and a Massey Ferguson had a child.
There’s a million switches (okay, not that many), including a full panel on the roof for off-road gubbins like the diff locks and auxiliary electrics. It’s refreshingly not minimalist. There’s a big, chunky gear selector straight from BMW, rotary drive mode knob, and even manual switches for things like lights and climate control.
Speaking of which – YES! It’s got proper heater controls. Big rotary dials, tactile buttons, none of this “tap the screen four times to defog your face” nonsense. You’ll love it.
The infotainment screen sits proudly atop of the centre console and runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can ignore INEOS’ software altogether and just use your phone. Smart.
The front seats are incredibly comfy and supportive, even after hours of bouncing around off-road. There’s loads of space in the front, though not so much in the back, especially if your sitting behind lanky adults - it’s seriously lacking in leg room. You do sit bolt upright in the back, but it’s not uncomfortable.
Practicality: Built to Lug, Haul and Hump Tat
The load bed is huge, over 1.5m long and 1.6m wide, and flat, with tie-down points, optional bedliner, and loads of accessories available like roll tops, canopies, and racks. It’s ideal for chugging camping kit, firewood, spares, a couple of mountain bikes, or whatever else you’re likely to sling in the back of your 4x4 after a weekend of green-laning.
Camping gear and “general tat”? There’s room for everything plus a kitchen sink, and still space for your mate’s half-packed kit because they “ran out of time”.
Payload: Just Shy of a Tonne - Does That Matter?
Good question. The petrol Quartermaster, with its 835kg payload, was already under the 1,000kg threshold for business users to get a good deal, because it’s now considered a car, does it matter any more?
Fuel Efficiency: Petrol Pain at the Pumps
Here’s the bit that might sting a bit – fuel economy. Officially, INEOS quotes around 19–21mpg for the petrol Quartermaster. In the real world? We managed 17mpg pottering about, and just nudged 19mpg on a long and steady motorway run. If you drive it like a lunatic (or off-road all day), you’ll see figures in the mid-teens. Oof.
Obviously there is a diesel version that’s better on fuel (mid-20s, usually), but if you want the refinement, power and smoothness of the straight-six petrol, you’ll have to budget for frequent trips to the forecourt, and find yourself a second, or third job to pay for it!
Tech Annoyances: Lane-Keepin’ Livid
Let’s talk lane departure. Like many new vehicles, the Quartermaster comes with a lane-keep system that tugs at the wheel like an overzealous backseat driver. The good news? It’s dead easy to turn off – there’s a physical button, so no need to dig through menus. That alone earns it some serious points.
In fact, most of the driver aids, parking sensors, etc. are similarly straightforward to control. The INEOS ethos seems to be “you’re clever enough to know what you’re doing”, which is so refreshing compared to some overbearing modern SUVs that think they know better.
So, What’s It Like to Live With?
Living with the Quartermaster is a bit like living with an enthusiastic, slightly scruffy mate who always wears steel toe-caps and smells faintly of WD-40. It’s not refined, it doesn’t care about fashion, and it won’t win you points with people who think SUVs should have chrome accents and mood lighting.
But it’s honest, tough, and surprisingly good fun. You want to take it green-laning. You want to chuck stuff in the back and drive through a muddy forest. You don’t worry about scratches or grit or bits of hay getting everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed my week with the Quartermaster, though finding parking spaces was fun!
It’s not a lifestyle truck. It’s a life-ready truck.
The Verdict
The 2025 INEOS Quartermaster petrol is a rare beast, a proper no-nonsense 4x4 with pickup practicality and real-world capability. If you need something that’s happy towing, bashing through ruts and getting caked in filth, this is your pickup.
It won’t suit everyone. If you prioritise creature comforts, fuel efficiency or flashy tech, it’ll feel too raw. But for us lot, campers, green-laners, dog-luggers, tat-haulers, it’s right up our rutted, muddy street.
Would I have one? No, I don’t need a pickup, but I would definitely have a station wagon, even the petrol version.
Quartermaster prices: Including VAT
Base Model from: £62,495 (petrol & diesel)
Trialmaster from: £69,995 (petrol & diesel)
Fieldmaster from: £69,995 (petrol & diesel)
Website: INEOS GRENADIER