New Car Reviews / Ford / Ford Ka Review
Ford Ka Review & Road TestReview by www.new-car-reviews.co.uk
Drivers
With power steering standard across all Ford Ka models, the basic 1.3 8v engine is near perfect for darting around the inner city. Front visibility is good, but rear parking tricky due to the small rear window. It takes some getting used to and you can often find objects are further away than they seem. Handling is good and the car has a surprisingly low centre of gravity for its dome shaped exterior. In the cabin the controls are logically presented, but seat height adjustment is not standard in the basic model. And, ABS is not available on any model, for any price. The engines feel a little weak at times.
Passengers
The ride can be quite harsh at times, although there is plenty of space for a super-mini. Headroom is grand with its dome shape. Getting in and out of the ford Ka 3-door rear is relatively hassling free and quite roomy for two in the back. It feels solid and rides bigger than a super-mini, with engine noise subtle.
Practicality
A very practical and economical car with low emissions. The Ford Ka is great to drive around the city and relatively easy to park (see above). Boot space is only average and rear light clusters are obtrusive to boot access, but split rear seats extend its capacity.
Equipment
You don't get much in the basic Ford Ka models, though electric windows, central locking, seat height adjustment and metallic paint is standard in the Ka Collection. If you're really feeling flush, the Ka Luxury version comes with leather seats and air-conditioning.
Safety & Security
An airbag comes, as standard for the driver, but passenger and lateral air bags are extra at £300 together. The Ford Ka performed ok on Euro NCAP tests (3/5), with good side-impact protection but lower than average front impact protection. The Ka only scored a 1/5 for pedestrian test rating. There is an engine immobiliser, but the car is easy to break in to, with the boot a no contest.
Quality & Reliability
Fords quality is evident throughout the Ka, although the stylish interior in prone to being out-dated soon. There have been a few electrical niggles, but the Ka is a long way into its production run that these have been sorted now.
Owning
Not the most glamorous of vehicles and the un-colour coded bumpers look a little cheap, but the Ford Ka does have unique styling. It's fun to drive, relatively economical, cheap to run and easy to park once you get used to it. Re-sale values are better than average for a Ford vehicle and the car is classed in insurance group 1 or 2.
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