The previous Ka had been in production since 1996 and proved a roaring success for Ford. Sharp looks, practicality, immense affordability and go-kart-like handling made the blue oval’s baby a great choice, new or used, for new drivers, pensioners and everyone in between. So, 13 years on, the next generation has a lot to live up to, and, on the face of it, it’s not off to a bad start with fresh styling and appealing looks. Read on to see if it’s still up to scratch.
Speed freaks won’t appreciate the Ka but that’s not the point. The 1.2-litre 67bhp engine is far from hot hatch material, but it’s peppy and comes with a good dose of low down torque, which is similar to the old model and makes it nippier at town speeds. The sweetest spot is at 3,000rpm when the 76lb ft of torque is at its peak and it still feels punchy enough until around 4,000rpm. Take it any higher and the little engine begins to feel breathless – it only has a single camshaft and eight valves, so it doesn’t respond to hard revving as well as a twin-cam 16-valve unit, but that means it’s easier to access the power.
The latest Ka is heavily based on Fiat’s 500. Peel back the skin and there’s little to differentiate the Ford from the Fiat, so the driving experience is pretty similar and, unfortunately, the handling doesn’t feel quite as raw and sharp as the previous Ka. That said, it’s not unpleasant, though, as Ford has made its mark on the ride with a number of trick additions. The rear of the car is now 70 per cent stiffer thanks to a new anti-roll bar and new dampers and revised, softer springs make for responsive turn-in, a comfy ride and better steering feel than the Ka’s Italian cousin.
It’s a similar story inside: if you’ve sat in a current Fiat 500 then the Ka’s cabin will seem strangely familiar. Virtually everything is laid out in the same way from the air vents to the console-mounted gearstick. But that’s not a crime because it’s all within reach and easy to use. Interior plastics aren’t quite up to the exceptional standards of the rest of Ford’s range, but then this is a budget car. For what it costs, the Ka isn’t bad at all. Just don’t expect the sumptuous soft-touch plastics of the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. The Ka hasn’t been around for long, but it’s a relatively simple machine so reliability is unlikely to be a serious issue.
For a cheap little car, the Ka packs a generous amount of safety features. Punters get driver and passenger airbags as standard but side and curtain airbags are on the options list – they’re standard on the Fiat 500. The steel safety cage will take care of occupants in the event of a shunt, as will the collapsible steering column and pedals. Should you need to come to a swift stop then the hazard lights are automatically activated under braking to warn other drivers and the Emergency Brake Assist will lend a helping hand, too. Spend and extra £196 and you’ll get rear parking sensors as well, but ESP remains a costly £391 option and many rivals get it for less or even as standard.
Ford’s baby has impressive interior space for its size. The cabin has been carved out to the max, so there’s much more space in the front for driver and passenger. The 224 litre boot is a real trump card, too – especially when compared to the Fiat 500’s comparatively meagre 185 litres. That boot advantage comes a price, though. Space in the rear is a bit limited and leggy adults won’t be comfortable. The Ka is also a strict four-seater, with no belt for the central rear seat.
The second generation of Ka had it tough in the shadow of its truly brilliant forebear and, while it hasn’t done a bad job, it isn’t likely to be as cherished as the old model. The driving experience is good and will better many rivals – but it’s just not quite as satisfying as before and its competitors can top it in some areas – airbags, ESP and number of seats being the obvious ones. It’s worth remembering how much cash the Ka will save you, though. With a starting price of £7,827 for the entry-level Studio 1.2 model, it undercuts the cheapest Fiat 500 by £273. What’s more, the Ka is highly economical with average fuel economy of 55.4mpg. It’s clean too, kicking out just 119g/km of CO2 with resultant road tax charges of a mere £35 per year. Bear in mind the fact that the Ka has been built down to a competitive price and it makes sense. That sub-£8,000 starting point spells good news for used values, as there’s only so much money it can loose before it’s time to sell on.
