Hertz’s New Rental Gives Airport Fleets Old-School Off-Road Chops

While rental cars have a pervasive reputation for being mundane econoboxes, not everything you’ll find on the lot is pedestrian in its performance.

Far from it. Nowadays, beyond services like Turo, even legacy companies like Avis and Enterprise offer luxury and exotic vehicle options in a bid to provide customers with memorable drives and opportunities to experience unique vehicles.

Hertz

It’s with this in mind that Hertz has unveiled its latest rental fleet option. It’s not a supercar; however, in some ways, I’d argue it’s an even more unexpected choice.

The Grenadier goes rental

According to an announcement released this week, Hertz will be further expanding its premium lineup with the addition of the Ineos Grenadier.

Hertz

It’s not a tentative roll-out either. Hertz claims that it will be offering the largest availability of Grenadiers for rent anywhere in the United States, and customers will be able to reserve vehicles at select airport locations nationwide.

Specifically, the Fieldmaster trim. Within the Grenadier Station Wagon lineup, the option skews more comfort and design-minded than the more off-road focused Trialsmaster or shadowy Black Edition.

Ineos

In practice, this means that the SUV touts refinements like leather upholstery, heated front seats and a premium sound system, while also bringing an exterior access ladder and some safari windows up front.

As such, Hertz bills the Grenadier as an option for families who want comfort or flyers with “luggage-heavy trips,” and, in those cases, the Ineos certainly makes sense.

However, it’s the line about “capability outdoor travelers rely on” that I think makes this an unconventional choice for a rental vehicle.

Hertz

Over-equipped for the job

To be clear, I’m not disputing Hertz’s claim. If anything, it’s precisely because of its off-road capability that the Ineos is such a unique vehicle for the company to keep in its fleet.

Because even though Hertz has a history of renting out everything from Shelby Mustangs to special hot hatches and even Ferraris and McLarens, those are all vehicles that are happiest on the street.

Ineos

By contrast, the Grenadier is decidedly utilitarian and it takes an approach to all-terrain prowess that’s almost too old-school for its own good. Along with a full-on ladder frame construction, it brings solid axles, permanent four-wheel drive, hydraulic power steering and a sturdy galvanized steel body.

As such, while the Fieldmaster trim might adopt luxury furnishings on the inside, it’s nevertheless a purpose-built 4×4 first. Like the Defender that inspired it, this can make for some compromised road manners, be it issues with the previously non-self-centering recirculating ball steering system or ongoing niggles with the HVAC and ADAS.

In any event, at the risk of violating your Hertz rental contract and being stuck footing the bill for any dents or damage, you probably don’t want to be taking your Ineos anywhere too adventurous, capable as it may be. With MSRP starting at over $70k, it’s bound to be pricier than your average Jeep Wrangler rental.

Ineos

Much as this is an exciting opportunity to experience a unique vehicle from a niche automaker, then, it’s also a tough pill to swallow. As you barrel away from the airport, trailheads will tempt you at every turn, and you’ll be stuck knowing that’s where you and the Grenadier should be going.

Availability and pricing

As of this writing, Hertz hasn’t announced rates or specific availability. However, the Ineos Grenadier is set to join rental fleets this spring, so more details should be on the way soon.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more, you can check out the Grenadier rental page on the Hertz website.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics