Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
It’s been several months but a neighbours son parked one outside. And I have had a good look. First impressions
1) its built like a tank or a tractor. The underpinnings, suspension links are huge. They would look out of place on a big military or Agricultural vehicle. You could mount a 3 point linkage on the rear axle and go ploughing with it.
2) interior is kind of small. Better than the old Defender but not a lot. As a skinny 6 ft tall person I am still sitting next to the door pillar and foot well is cramped. Indeed it all feels a it cramped. Not as bad as the old Landrover but not nearly as good as most SUVs etc. And if I was any taller or larger I suspect its not the sort of place you would want to spend any real time.
Yet it takes up a lot of real estate on the road.
They have exaggerated the Defenders old waist line bringing the sides quite a long way. And the wheels still stick beyond the sides of the vehicle. They could have it quite a bit more room inside which would make it much more usable as a living / workspace.
3) Spare tire, rear door etc. This will be a pain in the arse to live with. Opening a little door and then having to swing open a big door will just get awkward. And most won’t be able to lift that spare on and off the vehicle. A spare below that can be wound down, slid and rolled round to where its needed would have been a much better option. Then have a split horizontal tail gate like a Range Rover.
4) its mpg is better than his old Defender but only just. Its an expensive car to run.
My conclusion
It is vastly over engineered for the majority of users. This comes with a big penalty in the wallet for initial cost but then also on fuel bills etc.
It’s price point and fit out is too high for commercial users. It will make a good base for putting a crane / lifting platform etc. for utilities. But then so does the 4x4 sprinter.
With a new landcruiser 70 series just being released it will have stiff competition from military, aid agencies etc certainly overseas, and I think the new one will meet emissions regs and we will see it in the UK. The Grenadier will be good in this market but price is a big big factor.
The Grenadier will be good for wealthy enthusiasts who want an up to date Defender to park outside or to use over landing. With coil springs possibly a better ride than land cruiser.
Overall somewhat disappointing
1) its built like a tank or a tractor. The underpinnings, suspension links are huge. They would look out of place on a big military or Agricultural vehicle. You could mount a 3 point linkage on the rear axle and go ploughing with it.
2) interior is kind of small. Better than the old Defender but not a lot. As a skinny 6 ft tall person I am still sitting next to the door pillar and foot well is cramped. Indeed it all feels a it cramped. Not as bad as the old Landrover but not nearly as good as most SUVs etc. And if I was any taller or larger I suspect its not the sort of place you would want to spend any real time.
Yet it takes up a lot of real estate on the road.
They have exaggerated the Defenders old waist line bringing the sides quite a long way. And the wheels still stick beyond the sides of the vehicle. They could have it quite a bit more room inside which would make it much more usable as a living / workspace.
3) Spare tire, rear door etc. This will be a pain in the arse to live with. Opening a little door and then having to swing open a big door will just get awkward. And most won’t be able to lift that spare on and off the vehicle. A spare below that can be wound down, slid and rolled round to where its needed would have been a much better option. Then have a split horizontal tail gate like a Range Rover.
4) its mpg is better than his old Defender but only just. Its an expensive car to run.
My conclusion
It is vastly over engineered for the majority of users. This comes with a big penalty in the wallet for initial cost but then also on fuel bills etc.
It’s price point and fit out is too high for commercial users. It will make a good base for putting a crane / lifting platform etc. for utilities. But then so does the 4x4 sprinter.
With a new landcruiser 70 series just being released it will have stiff competition from military, aid agencies etc certainly overseas, and I think the new one will meet emissions regs and we will see it in the UK. The Grenadier will be good in this market but price is a big big factor.
The Grenadier will be good for wealthy enthusiasts who want an up to date Defender to park outside or to use over landing. With coil springs possibly a better ride than land cruiser.
Overall somewhat disappointing
