Ford Granada vs Volvo 240 - 80s Estate Battle! (1992 Granada Scorpio 2.9 V6 & 1985 240 GL Road Test)

A 1980s estate car gives you a taste of the classic experience we all love, but with the space and practicality to carry all the family and cargo you could ever need. But which is best, the old-school Volvo 240 or more modern Mk3 Ford Granada? This question was posed when both were new, such was their production overlap and today, with both cars of similar value. Courtesy of Stone Cold Classics, Paul decided to compare them.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:42 Volvo 240
5:20 Ford Granada Mk3
8:15 Which should you buy?
- Music -
• Quincas Moreira - Cheerleader: • 🎵 Cheerleader - Quinca...
• Noir Et Blanc Vie - Baeb Steps: • Video
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[@jokujussi5902]

80s-90s Volvos are seen more often in traffic than Fords of the same age

[@fennograas]

It’s because all of the ford cars are broken while the Volvo cars don’t break not saying ford is bad but Volvo is just a lot better

[@matthewgodwin3050]

A couple I know from church bought a Volvo 200 Series new in the 80s, and it's still going strong with well over 200k miles on it now. All they've ever done is service it and replace consumables, and it's never let them down. Totally indestructible, and a testament to both Volvo quality and owners who understand the term 'preventative maintenance'.

[@joelek6073]

Here in Sweden, it's really common to see Volvos with more than 200k miles on them and still go like a dream plus us teenagers use the cheap rusty ones as drift missiles and project cars and so on

[@philnewstead5388]

I'm on my third Volvo estate I had a 740 which lasted until 260,000 miles and met last V70 was sold with well over 200,000 miles and is still going strong I've got a low mileage one now 138,000 miles.

[@michaeltutty1540]

My 1990 is now at roughly 386,000 miles and going strong

[@cornstar1253]

Pfffft...mine has over 800,000 km on the original engine

[@markharris7662]

For retro styling it's the Volvo for me.

[@chappy2121]

My uncle had one of these volvos when I was a kid, he bought it as an MOT failure for £50 sorted it out and run it a while. It was massive and fast for the size of vehicle. The days of these sort of cars are long gone unfortunately, people care more how their car looks and how it makes them look to other than how practical or good it actually is

[@carlarthur4442]

Love Volvos , even the old ones , I've owed a V50 estate for six years and I've towed trailers with motorcycles on for track days with one of my sons , great cars and very practical.

[@lewis72]

Would rather have a Mk2 2.8i Ghia X Granada estate or the even rarer 2.8 Injection.

[@nitrorory]

Amazed how mint that Volvo is 🥰

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Now, I like the Granada estate, and I love the Volvo 240 - but which one is best? There’s only one way to find out..........FIGHT!!! But seriously - the Volvo 240 is an awesome car. We had one for 14 years - as you say, old style Merc build quality, and truly built to last! I’d still have one now!

[@dahe614]

The boot of the 245s isn't just insanely big, it's very practical shaped too. With the 240 to IKEA (for the real Swedish feeling): Just open the boot and throw all the stuff in, while you see other people trying (and failing) to put a few cardboard boxes in their SUV😂 And I really love the turning circle and the small body width of my 240. Even if this car is that big, it's still easy to park.

[@glen1555]

Had both cars. A mark one 3 litre Granada and the 2.1 litre 245 Volvo. The Volvo despite being slower is the better car, solid and safe. Especially when I used to do long drives to North Scotland, and on the M25 on the night of Michael Fish's Great Storm in 1987

[@MarkWright1963]

Huge difference between an early Granada and a later German Scorpio

[@glen1555]

@@MarkWright1963 I'm sure there are. My Granada had a foot operated pedal for the windscreen washers, don't think that's a feature that would have been kept in later models. But in the 1970s it felt luxurious compared to my mark 1 and 2 Cortinas

[@Golo1949]

Love that Volvo estate, I drove one in 1975 whilst working for a caravan sales company.

[@markjohnson9301]

Love both of these cars and I miss them.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I love Ford Granadas and Ford Scorpios and also the old Volvo cars as well

[@user-em7xf1bn9i]

Granada would fit 240 better as the car from the same era) however this Scorpio is very nice still)

[@paultasker7788]

We used to have a Granada Ghia 1990 H reg and it's probably the most comfy car I've been in. Those seats were so comfy. Less so on a twisty road but epic motorway car. Our friends had the Volvo. Much more dated inside but I did enjoy the 5 cylinder sound of the engine and the velour seats.

[@amphilbey]

Enjoyed this, spent a childhood in Volvo 240s as my father had them as company cars and loved them for towing, he then switched to a new Granada in 1986 and remember as a child how futuristic that was believe it or not! No guessing which one last longer though. They both look so small now on the road compared to moderns, guessing a current Mondeo estate is easily longer than the Granada.

[@christiankerbl2453]

I still have two Scorpios, one 2,9i and one 2,9i 24v, both from 1992, and both with leather, so called executive. The 2,9i has over 880.000km on it, original motor...original transmission, the other has less kilometers, it has only 280.000 on it and also original motor and transmission, both are in interieur the same and i would say, this are really one of the best cruisers, ways better than a bmw 5 series e33 or audi 100 or Mercedes Benz E Class from this time. Im 45 yrs old now and drive this cars since im 18...i also had a bmw e39 530d and e61 530d now, cause the fords are classics now, so i dont want to drive them as a dayli. I wished...Ford came up again with a Scorpio..its a shame they stopped the Scorpios back in the yr 2000

[@wayne59]

I've had both of these and wish I kept them great cars. Keep up the good work looking forward to the next one. Stay safe.

[@6ettinold]

I used to own a lovely 1988 740 turbo estate - it was as tidy as this 240, it came with the 4 speed box and overdrive. One of several cars I regretted selling. I've spent the last 13 years looking for another. It's all these daft lofty wobble trolley's that have killed off big estates. Ridiculous when you get far more space in an executive estate.

[@davidhayes4814]

Looking at an old Autocar mag from 1988, when both of these were made. The Volvo 240GL estate = £11195 and the most expensive 240GLTestate = £12650. The Ford Granada Scorpio 2.9 = £19918 ..... estate not mentioned. Quite a difference in price. I guess the 760 range competed with the Scorpio but the 240 was definitely understated good taste.

[@waynnegrant5938]

You made the correct choice I love them old volvos

[@downtheshedwithjason]

we've had five 240's in the past. great car. iconic volvo

[@Dan23_7]

My dad has the scorpio saloon with the 2.9 cossie lump It was rapid !!!

[@christiankerbl2453]

Also have a 2,9 24v 😍🤩🥰

[@nervo6321]

The interior of the Scorpio really does look plush...

[@richardcrossley5581]

I owned a 1993 2.9 Scorpio Estate about 15 years ago, cost 1000GBP and wasn't the best example. It hauled stuff across countries, was fast enough to miss my exit off the motorway and the ride was as soft was a waterbed. I ended up driving that more than my Honda Prelude and decided that I was more "old man" than "spring chicken". Sold both and bought a Skoda Superb. I miss that Scorpio.

[@drd6416]

My dad in law once told me he'd had a truck hit the back of his 240 in the works car park. Went to check and all there was, a tiny scuff on the rear bumper and a cracked rear light!

[@argonautsuk]

Good morning from Mcr. I had a Granny back in the 90s as a student and I will still buy it now if I find one in fab condition

[@MarkWright1963]

I had a 4x4 2.8 EFI Scorpio hatch. Beautiful car.

[@batair_master]

Какой же он крутой в этом цвете. Скорпио одна из лучших машин своих времен. Эксплуатирую такую)))

[@mattsmith6780]

im a massive pre-2000 ford fan, but just bought my first volvo, not a classic but an 02. and i love it, its what i thought it would be. ford have totally lost it now, i know ive had multiple new focus's and had nothing but problems with them, and mainly the dealership customer service, (avoid premier ford isle of wight) ;) other than my little rant, thanks for the great video. its nice to see classics like these still. i love that granny scorpio most. thanks.

[@davidrandall2742]

My 'new' '90 Volvo 240 wagon with injected 2.3 redblock and m47 manual needs some love (like every suspension bushing), but still is a great daily driver, with surprisingly comfortable seats.

[@maxjarno7814]

The Volvo 200 series won the former DTM racing series.. It has really good handling.

[@The_One_Over_There]

The racecars did, But the stock regular version? nah. They handle alright but definitely not something that would beat many other cars in it's standard road form during a race day i do like them though. They have a specific character non the less

[@SuperPramFace]

Great video, love to see a w124 in the competition!

[@andrewmarsden1970]

240s are cool. I have an XC40 and would like a 240 as well.

[@jakebond2294]

Only one choice there if you want a classic car. Maybe, if any remain, the Ford will be a contender in 10 years.

[@ryanh9807]

Volvo wagons are where it's at. I have a 740gl wagon and it treats me good, and it's easy to work on and parts are cheap!

[@michaeltutty1540]

Love the Volvo 240. My daily, and only, car is a 1990 DL Estate Ma bought new. Have to guess at the mileage, but somewhere nearing 400,000 is about right. I find it interesting to see the difference in equipment in various markets. This example has the mid-grade GL interior upholstery. In Canada, even the base model had power windows on all 4 door, along with central locking and heated front seats starting in 86. As far back as 81, GL came with power windows. DL had the crank windows back then. It seems the 2.3 litre is a huge improvement over the 2 litre. Mine is an automatic gearbox, and still returns 35 mpg as long as I keep. The speed under 85 mph. They may accelerate slowly, but they just keep going. I have seen a GPS verified 120 mph in Arthur. On the 240, most options, including the jump seat on back, were dealer installed. Until 92, even air conditioning was dealer installed. The engine (based on trim), gearbox, and if available, the sunroof, and colour were the only factory options. Various wheels were also fitted based on trim level, but all styles could be had at the dealer. All but the Virgo wheels seen on this one were 14x6. Estates used a different tyre than saloons. The original 185R14 is long since gone, and selection is shrinking in the 205/65R15 the Virgo takes. Worth noting is that the only part difficult to find is the glass for the tailgate. Neither the small nor large glass is available new.

[@bobjohnson205]

120 mph downhill and with a tail wind!

[@shanewaller2864]

I loved my cosworth granada, and I love my Scorpio ultima estate, but I love my home built sierra cosworth estate with full yb running gear and over 400 bhp that little bit more 👍

[@maxjarno7814]

Too expensive too fragile.. My Volvo 945 with a EFR 6758 turbo. Goes on icecacing circuits in the winter and in the summer it goes with constant boost for hours with a caravan behind. Cant imagine a Ford 4 cylinder beeing that reliable with 400 hp..

[@antti_kukkonen]

I'm born in 2003 and I don't remember Scorpios at all but 240:s are still regular daily drivers

[@gerardbooth40]

No question, it’s the Volvo for me.

[@thearthritistreatmentschan9574]

I love Volvo estates. I drive a 2007 Volvo V50 T5 with 280 000 km on the clock, and it has never let me down. I'll probably keep it till my dying day... LOL

[@tinolahti4366]

It takes a special mindset to drive such a boring car, not to mention to enjoy it.

[@thearthritistreatmentschan9574]

@@tinolahti4366 - Bingo! There I have to give you some credit. Yeah, my Volvo is about as boring as your wife... (There's a Volvo in every sane person's future.)

[@carstenweiland7896]

Drive a few km more, a friend of mine bought a Volvo with 390Tkm, I said he is mad, the car is still driving at 570tkm and all is good for another 200t!

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

We had a 240DL 2.0 carb (choke), estate in signal red, back in '86-90. HAG432Y was the registration. Not sure what happened to it after 1990. My parents said it was sportier than the later 740GL (injection) we had.

[@martinwooder4174]

Owning 4 Granada mk3. Two of which are limo and hearse variants. I’m so what bias

[@Involvod]

Great video!

[@peterj5751]

The Volvo harks back to when wagons were square and practical rather than trying to be rounded. I miss wagons like this.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

So do we!

[@leeallen7491]

Huge fab of both but for me......the volvo everytime

[@sgthree]

Not sure how, but we used to be able to get more flight cases in the back of a Vauxhall Omega estate than we could in the back of a Volvo 240 estate. The Volvo loadbay was much narrower than the Vauxhall's

[@broward123]

240 For Life! 🇸🇪

[@moodyguymick]

The Volvo's about as aerodynamic as a brick, but I still love em' !

[@tankacebo9128]

my first car is a 240 wagon. I've got a 289 ford on the bench that's planned to go into it when I get the time and the urge.

[@jonashelmefors7390]

What a nice Ford i want!

[@Landie_Man]

Wouldn’t a Luxury GLT have been a better comparison?

[@GAIS414]

Slow steering? Don't blame the car for spinning it, young men in Sweden have learned to drive on snowy, icy roads with 240's for generations. There are no problems drifting a 245 on ice. Also why do you compare the Volvo to a crappy Ford? There is no competition there. Yes, the Ford might be a little cushier initially. But quality wise the Volvo will outlast the Ford 3-4 times over, on the meter. A Saab or a Merc would have been approximating the same league in quality and build philosophy during those years.

[@kyivwithgeofftanya5546]

Memories of my 244, every other driver flashing me because I left my lights on. Idiot pulled out in front of me causing me to swerve into an oncoming JCB, car totalled but still drove home and all I ruined was underwear

[@alech8336]

I LOVE HEADLIGHT WASH/WIPE!

[@philpaxton2078]

I think the Volvo definitely has the edge on build quality. When you consider that the switchgear in that Granada looks identical to a Fiesta of the same time, it really wasn't good enough to cut it against BMW & Audi. The interior in my old 100 was miles ahead in terms of quality feel.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Furious driving covered both these cars

[@icascone]

I wonder how it would stacked up against the later Volvo wagon though as that one was on the way out.... I enjoyed the video though!

[@albatrosnaval]

Always Volvo!! My Father has one model 245GL from 1978. Gretings from Quilpue, Chile.

[@johndavies7188]

My old boss had one exactly the same colour and the same spec but in the 2 litre L reg massively comfy in the front not so in the back really nice car until someone took the front end off.

[@umarfarooq1380]

Beautiful

[@esssexboy]

Granada for me all day long

[@sbomorse]

I've owned a 240GLT and a couple of Granada Scorpio's. I prefer the Ford as it's much, much more modern and has better equipment.

[@christiankerbl2453]

Better equipment, better lights...all better in the Fords...dont forget the very comfy seats🥰

[@bobjohnson205]

I just went to the SCC website and found the Granada there, but couldn't find the Volvo. (?)

[@colinnewman6074]

Great vid. The fords great but love the Volvo.

[@philnewstead5388]

Having owned both these cars back in the nineties I would have the Volvo every time. The reason they last better then the Ford is because they used thicker steel for the bodywork and had proper corrosion treatment unlike the Ford which had sufficient corrosion protection to see it through the six year corrosion warranty and Ford at least to its dealers was quite open about the fact they expected serious corrosion at seven to nine years. Fun fact the reason Swedish cars came with day running lights so long before everyone else was because they went over a weekend from driving on the left to driving on the right and after the change the government said that everyone had to drive with their headlamps an and discovered it was quite a good idea and never repealed it.

[@parreraz]

You forgot to compare the space inside the cabin! Both width and leg room in the backseat is huuuuge in the Ford compared to the Volvo. Not to mention the equipment,the Ford was way ahead of the Volvo there.

[@MrTruth111]

omg where do you find the shiny better than new timecapsules?

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Stone Cold Classics in Kent, give them a look!

[@MrTruth111]

@@ClassicsWorldUK thank you :)

[@maxeluy]

I love Volvos, but that Granada... Men is beautiful!

[@GAIS414]

*are?

[@peterlampropoulos3505]

More volvos on the road than Ford of that year

[@MrSudanPresident]

They should have chucked in the Old Vauxhall Carlton Estate

[@anthonyperkins7556]

The Volvo's of the time were very palatial for load lugging seats folded and could easily take a 6 foot sofa in the back plus they were comfortable enough for 5 adults. If you were less concerned about load lugging space and wanted more opulence and luxury with a much posher feel but still needed the space for 5 adults and a fair old boot, the Ford Granada estate made an equally good choice. The fuel heavy V6 engines and 2.8 / 2.9 and 3.0 EFi Cologne engines on the Granada did cost more to run but were much smoother than the Volvo but if you specified the Turbo Diesel Volvo 240 estate or the Granada TD, the fuel economy goes from fair to excellent and you can go longer on a full tank of diesel with fewer fill-ups even carrying a full load.

[@DukeNukem500]

Volvo all The way

[@steve20664]

I think that’s the first time I’ve seen a Granada without the back wheels splayed out at angles and the rear end quite level, most of them look like they’ve 20 sacks of potatoes in the back. Difficult choice but I might go for the Volvo.

[@mrford70]

Ford scorpio great locking car.

[@danielrussell446]

A more accurate comparison would have been a mk2 Granada estate the generation before that one to be similar in age to the Volvo the mk3 moved things on a bit in design

[@christiankerbl2453]

I love the Ford Scorpio/ Granada more..cause of the design, the impressive comfy leather seats and so on...best car ever!!

[@smoothmicra]

I just love that Ford, makes me wish I had a large family so I would have an excuse to buy it. I don't like maroon as a colour, but that old bus manages to look sexy in maroon, so I think I'd be blind to the colour after, er, five minutes of ownership. The Volvo is a grand old girl but I never liked the brick like styling of the car: acceptable when you are buying a budget car, but they always commanded a premium price, so I think I'd be left wishing I'd spent my money on something that rings my bell when I looked at it...or drove it. Horses for courses of course, I appreciate that Volvo fans see beauty in the old tank, and of course reliability in an age of unreliable motors is not to be sneezed at. Shock horror, a balanced KZbin comment? Apologies, I will slope off and practice my prejudice!

[@sirbum1918]

Why chose? Get both.

[@nitrorory]

A 740 would be a fairer comparison to that Granada

[@thomaspersson688]

Volvo for sure .

[@TheSoupdragon1968]

Surely a 960 Volvo would of been more the competitor....

[@username.858]

Was thinking exactly the same.

[@herrapippelsson671]

Volvo for the win

[@chrispritchard4676]

I have never driven a Volvo despite their excellent reputation. I had numerous new Granada's culminating in a 93 Cosworth, which was amazing in comfort and all round capability. It was only surpassed by a Lexus LX 430 but that's another story!

[@nissankillen]

Volvo 🤗 🇸🇪

[@lyricalkwamepartan8311]

We have 2 best Cars in the world 1 Volvo 2 Volvo

[@tonypacke6954]

When you look at the styling of the Ford and compare it with the looks of the euro shit boxes where did things go wrong?

[@harmonicres]

Every car today has a premium feel! You must be kidding. Compared to my 05 Saab 9-5's interior to a 2020 Kia or VW Jetta the Saabs interior is still better looking and most importantly has BETTER quality materials. Most cars today have shabby plasticky uninspired cookie cutter interiors. Love the "boxes" from Sweden!

[@charliemillar3040]

How much would that Volvo be worth?🤔

[@liamcinq]

That volvo only has 48k miles. 28k for the Granada.

[@4WDIESEL1]

Volvo 240 please.

[@TG-pd3ft]

I know which seats I prefer....

[@drd6416]

Volvo seats look crap but trust me,they're orthopedic and last years... I love the Scorpio armchairs but they will sag in time... And I have had a few motors in my time and have my first volvo and love it.... !

[@35deedub]

You should of compared the Scorpio with a 940....The Volvo with a few mods is a way better performance car than the Scorpio could ever be with mods...

[@Maring0418]

The Volvo 200-series was a 70's car

[@owenshebbeare2999]

Only kind of...it was mostly a 1960's 164 design.

[@Maring0418]

@@owenshebbeare2999 well the groundwork for the Volvo 200 series was laid with the VESC concept car from 1972. It was a new generation of cars and it greatly influenced the 240 at its launch in 1974. The front of the VESC was still recognisable when the five door estate was discontinued in 1993. The design language introduced in the early 70s carried into the 740 and its legacy could still be seen in the 940/S90/V90 of 1998.

[@websurfer1585]

I prefer the volvo exterior to the ford, but the interior of the ford.

[@user-gd2sf3ee2f]

Like

[@poehaaa4642]

The Volvo is a classic. The Ford is just an old car.

[@geoffdecorator1701]

My first Volvo was a H reg 1970 140 column change auto ,followed by the 240s and then the 940s ,the V70s though were a disaster in my opinion as many dedicated Volvo lovers were put off by them and they are lower than the 940s meaning you bang your head on the tail gate if your 6ft tall .Next came the Ford takeover of Volvo around 96 followed by now Tata ,lost their way has Volvo along with all the electronics and computers in them making them nothing but a nightmare for the average owner to work on .Auto sales sites are full of the later Volvos going cheap as nobody wants them but you try and find 240 estate today and the prices are enormous for cars that are 30 years or older .

[@drd6416]

I have to say that being a first time volvo owner,I can't fault the safety but it is somewhat compromised in terms of space. I have a modern v40,which despite being platform shared with the focus,seems a whole lot tighter in terms of interior space and boot space than the Ford. Maybe I should have bought the v60 instead of the v40! However it's solid,reliable,really frugal for a 5 pot diesel. Compared to the endless Honda I've owned,its no great handler but I can sort that out and I'm surprised that volvo still use cam belts instead of chains, terrible omission in terms of reliability if you ask me.

[@leesmith3448]

Owned by Geely. Not Tata. Volvo had to move on to keep in business. The old ones were great but the new ones are too - in a different market place. I own a 240 and its great but my S80 beats it in every area except simplicity. The old ones fetch a fortune now as most have rotted away or been trashed by owners. Simple as that. I respect old Volvo's massively but I respect new ones too.

[@Kiinell]

The Volvo is a classy lady to take on a date and the Ford is the tart with a heart who wears too much makeup. I'm afraid I have to have both.

[@garethshaw4634]

Volvo all day long

[@pm-06gaming55]

England The only country where Ford Scorpio had to be called Granada so the sales will rise

[@michaelweinman9051]

I hate SUVs. Too expensive. We have a 1993 240 in triple black. Slow, plodding, but ok. Looks nice but boxy. 157 ,000 miles. 3 speed Automatics are painfully slow getting on the freeway. But seems to like freeway cruising best. Ha. Cheers!