Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Ford Ka

Read Auto Trader’s 10 point Ford Ka Zetec Climate 1.3i Car Review – covering Ford Ka Car specification, price, Ford Ka 1.3i insurance group, look, performance and Practicality.

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 81%

Since its arrival in 1996 the Ford Ka has been a favourite among city car drivers. But, in its eleventh year, is it starting to get a bit long in the tooth?

Its combination of a nimble chassis, comfortable interior and low price was enough to win over buyers a decade ago. Today, however, it’s up against the likes of the Fiat Panda and Toyota Aygo.

We took it for a spin to see if the old timer can still keep up with its young rivals.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

The Ka is a brilliant example of how a simple, bold design can triumph. Despite being on the market for a decade, its smart lines and distinctive features give it a more pleasing and coherent appearance than many of its newer and dearer rivals.

Some may find the styling a bit long in the tooth, however, and others will dismiss its compact size and ample curves as being too feminine for their tastes.

Even if you are completely at one with the styling there’s no denying it forces a couple of compromises on practicality. The opening to the boot is a bit small and the long doors can be a struggle to squeeze through in tight parking spaces.

But it is still one of the best designed cars and most original cars in its class.

9/10

2. Looks inside

The same clear-cut simplicity of design has been applied inside the cabin too. A curving fascia accommodates the instrumentation and sweeps across into the middle of the car, presenting the stereo and heating controls.

Its far more ambitious than you’ll find in many other cars of this kind, and the simple construction means Ford can knock them out cheaply while maintaining high build quality. Clever stuff.

There are a few problems though: the swooping dashboard leaves too little room for story space in the tiny glove box. And some of the switchgear might kindly be described as looking a bit ‘My First Car’.

7/10

3. Practicality

As a city runabout the Ka does everything you could reasonably ask from it. Headroom and visibility in the front is more than adequate, though admittedly not so good in the back.

Given its compact dimensions it’s not the best in its class for storage space and the rear light clusters also inhibit the loading bay. The rear seats split down the middle, though, which gives it useful flexibility.

7/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Ka is a treat to drive. Based on a Fiesta chassis from the mid-nineties with the wheels pushed right out to the corners it handles like a go-kart. The steering is rapid and direct so you can twist through narrow city streets with ease.

Being light and nimble you can chuck it into corners and it gives bundles of grip. The suspension dampens the bumps well and maintains consistent feedback to the driver. It’s difficult to think of another city car that has such well-sorted driving dynamics.

The flipside of this is that the steering can be too quick to react, making it fidgety at speed on motorways. In its natural territory of tight city roads it can even make mini-roundabouts enjoyable.

10/10

5. Performance

There’s a choice of two engines and the smaller of the two – the 1.3 litre we tested – proved sufficiently punchy for quickly nipping out of junctions and flowing through city traffic.

On the motorway, however, it was clearly starting to run out of puff as it reached 70mph and became intrusively noisy. If you’re expecting to do a lot of motorway miles, consider the 1.6 litre SportKa which should feel more comfortable at speed.

The gear ratios match the car’s power well and aided speedy acceleration. But I found the gearbox itself a little vague and selecting reverse was particularly tricky.

7/10

6. Running Costs

Because there’s so many of them about you can expect reasonable service charges and parts prices.

The 1.3 engine may have been doing the rounds for a while but it still gets decent fuel mileage – 45.6mpg combined. Its CO2 output of 147g per km could be better, though. Fuel consumption is, naturally, higher in the 1.6 litre – 37.2mpg combined and 182g of CO2 per km.

Insurance costs shouldn’t be too much of a worry as it’s only in group three.

8/10

7. Reliability

Again, as the Ka’s been doing the rounds for years the reliability should be exemplary, and getting cheaper repairs shouldn’t be difficult if you do have a prang.

Some buyers have complained that the lower front wing can be susceptible to damage from stone chips, but otherwise the solid Fiesta underpinnings mean there’s little to worry about.

9/10

8. Safety

Driver’s airbag, side impact door beams, locking fuel cap and an immobiliser is fitted as standard to all models.

The passenger’s airbag (and deactivation switch) are only available as options. They are bundled into the Reflex Pack, a £350 option that also includes extra storage pouches and better head restraints, which is definitely worth considering.

Security-wise the stereo has an anti-theft device and all but the base Studio model gets central locking.

7/10

9. Equipment

The options list is bristling with extras for you to customise you Ka with. And, in keeping with its image as being a fun little city car, the choice of paintwork offers more colours than a bag of Smarties.

We tested the Zetec Climate model which included an in-dash 6-disc CD changer (£200) and a basic alarm (£150).

I was less convinced by the privacy glass, which was pure vanity on something as small as a Ka, even at £50. Rear parking sensors were a £250 option – but I can’t think of another car that needs them less than the nippy little Ka.

7/10

10. X-Factor

Don’t be put off by the fact that the Ka’s well into its dotage - if you’re looking for a comfortable, affordable city car it’s up there with the best.

The Ka has fun and personality in spades – two things many of its rivals are conspicuously lacking. It’s cheaper than a Citroen C2 and classier than a C1/107/Aygo (all three of which share the same platform).

If you need a bit more space then a Fiat Panda is worth considering. That aside, the Ka is top of the class.

10/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:

Citroen C1
Perodua Myvi
Smart ForTwo

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