Ford Granada (North America): Which Version to Buy and Why
The North American Ford Granada offers two distinct sets of choices across its two Sedan generations. The 1 generation, produced from 1975 through 1980, has 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 5.8 MT, and 5.8 AT versions. The 2 generation, produced from 1980 through 1982, has 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 4.2 MT, and 4.2 AT versions. Every listed version uses Gasoline, has no boost, and is RWD.
The North American Ford Granada offers two distinct sets of choices across its two Sedan generations. The 1 generation, produced from 1975 through 1980, has 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 5.8 MT, and 5.8 AT versions. The 2 generation, produced from 1980 through 1982, has 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 4.2 MT, and 4.2 AT versions. Every listed version uses Gasoline, has no boost, and is RWD. The principal buying decisions are therefore engine output, generation, and transmission: Manual versions have 4 gears, while Automatic versions have 3.
Ford Granada generations compared
The 1 generation is a Sedan built from 1975 through 1980 and includes four versions. Its 3,300 cc Inline 6 produces 82 hp (60 kW), while the 5,766 cc V-shaped 8 produces 154 hp (113 kW). Choosing the larger engine adds 72 hp and 53 kW. The listed Manual versions have a kerb weight of 1,382 kg, so the 3.3 MT carries about 16.9 kg per hp, compared with about 9.0 kg per hp for the 5.8 MT. On the available figures, the 5.8 MT therefore has a substantially stronger power-to-weight ratio.
The 2 generation is a Sedan built from 1980 through 1982 and also includes four versions. Its 2,300 cc Inline 6 produces 87 hp (64 kW) at 4,400 rpm, while its 4,198 cc V-shaped 8 produces 117 hp (86 kW). The larger engine adds 30 hp and 22 kW. The 2.3 MT weighs 1,211 kg, or about 13.9 kg per hp, while the 4.2 MT weighs 1,357 kg, or about 11.6 kg per hp. The 4.2 MT is 146 kg heavier, but its additional power gives it the better power-to-weight figure.
The generational change altered both engine choices and listed weights. Comparing the Manual Inline 6 versions, the 2.3 MT has 5 hp more than the 3.3 MT despite using 1,000 cc less displacement, and it is 171 kg lighter. Its output is about 37.8 hp per litre, compared with about 24.8 hp per litre for the 3.3 MT. Comparing the Manual V-shaped 8 versions, the 4.2 MT uses 1,568 cc less displacement and weighs 25 kg less than the 5.8 MT, but the 5.8 MT has 37 hp more and the stronger power-to-weight ratio.
Ford Granada engine sizes and specs
| Generation | Version | Power | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation | 3.3 MT | 82 hp (60 kW) | 3,300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1 generation | 3.3 AT | 82 hp (60 kW) | 3,300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1 generation | 5.8 MT | 154 hp (113 kW) | 5,766 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1 generation | 5.8 AT | 154 hp (113 kW) | 5,766 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2 generation | 2.3 MT | 87 hp (64 kW) at 4,400 rpm | 2,300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 2 generation | 2.3 AT | 87 hp (64 kW) at 4,400 rpm | 2,300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.2 MT | 117 hp (86 kW) | 4,198 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.2 AT | 117 hp (86 kW) | 4,198 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
The Manual and Automatic choices do not change the stated engine output within an engine family. The 3.3 MT and 3.3 AT both produce 82 hp, the 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT both produce 154 hp, the 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT both produce 87 hp, and the 4.2 MT and 4.2 AT both produce 117 hp. The meaningful documented distinction within each pair is the gearbox: 4-speed Manual or 3-speed Automatic.
Ford Granada performance, mpg, and economy
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 5.8 MT, 5.8 AT, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 4.2 MT, or 4.2 AT. Top speed is also not measured for every version.
City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for all eight versions. Consequently, the supplied figures cannot establish which Ford Granada version has the best mpg or the lowest operating fuel use.
Fuel grade is listed as 80 for 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT. Fuel grade is not measured for 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 4.2 MT, and 4.2 AT. These gaps mean that displacement or cylinder count should not be treated as a measured economy result.
Ford Granada dimensions, weight, and chassis specs
All eight versions have 127 mm of ground clearance. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured for any version. Exterior length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 MT | 1,382 kg | 1,528 kg | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 3.3 AT | not measured | 1,528 kg | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 5.8 MT | 1,382 kg | 1,528 kg | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 5.8 AT | not measured | 1,528 kg | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 2.3 MT | 1,211 kg | not measured | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 2.3 AT | not measured | not measured | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 4.2 MT | 1,357 kg | not measured | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 4.2 AT | not measured | not measured | 127 mm | not measured | not measured |
Every version has Independent, spring front suspension, Dependent, spring rear suspension, and Disc front brakes. Rear-brake type is not measured for any version. A direct weight comparison is possible among the Manual versions, but the missing Automatic kerb weights prevent a measured Manual-versus-Automatic weight comparison.
Which Ford Granada version should you buy?
Choose 2.3 MT if low listed kerb weight and engine output per litre matter most. At 1,211 kg, it is the lightest version with a measured kerb weight. Its 87 hp from 2,300 cc equals about 37.8 hp per litre, the highest specific output among the listed engines. Its approximately 13.9 kg-per-hp figure also improves on the 3.3 MT’s approximately 16.9 kg per hp.
Choose 4.2 MT for the stronger of the two 2 generation engines. It provides 117 hp, which is 30 hp more than the 2.3 MT, while its measured kerb weight rises by 146 kg. Its approximately 11.6 kg per hp is better than the 2.3 MT’s approximately 13.9 kg per hp. This is the clearest 2 generation choice when the buying priority is power rather than minimum weight.
Choose 5.8 MT when the highest stated output and strongest measured power-to-weight ratio take priority. Its 154 hp exceeds the 4.2 MT by 37 hp, the 2.3 MT by 67 hp, and the 3.3 MT by 72 hp. At 1,382 kg, it weighs the same as the 3.3 MT but produces 72 hp more, giving approximately 9.0 kg per hp instead of approximately 16.9 kg per hp. No other version in the data matches its power.
Choose 3.3 MT mainly if the desired specification is the 1 generation Sedan with an Inline 6 and a 4-speed Manual. It produces 82 hp from 3,300 cc and weighs 1,382 kg. Numerically, the later 2.3 MT has 5 hp more, uses 1,000 cc less displacement, and weighs 171 kg less.
For buyers who specifically want an Automatic, the choice follows the same engine hierarchy. The 3.3 AT has 82 hp, the 2.3 AT has 87 hp, the 4.2 AT has 117 hp, and the 5.8 AT has 154 hp; each uses a 3-speed Automatic and RWD. Because their kerb weights are not measured, their power-to-weight ratios cannot be calculated from the supplied data.
There is no measured basis here for declaring the Ford Granada reliable or problematic, and no measured acceleration, top-speed, or fuel-consumption result establishes an overall “best” car. Based strictly on the available specifications, 2.3 MT is the weight-focused choice, 4.2 MT is the stronger 2 generation choice, and 5.8 MT is the outright power choice.