Ford KA is a small city car with lots of fascinating features. It is also reliable, efficient, and cheap to maintain. Nonetheless, it also comes with multiple problems that owners ought to know about. But is the Ford KA a good car?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re in the market for a subcompact city car, then you will love the Ford KA. It is also efficient, affordable, and cheap to maintain. But if you’re looking for a spacious, high-performance, and practical city car, you should look away.
History of Ford KA
The Ford KA is a small car made by Ford Motor Company from 1996 to 2021. Ford produced this model as a city car from 1996 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2021 as a subcompact car. The first generation was made from 1996 to 2008, the second generation from 2008 to 2016, and the third generation from 2014 to 2021.
Note that the first two generations have a three-door hatchback body style, with the first generation featuring a two-door convertible version that was sold as the StreetKa and a sporty hatch model, the SportKa. On the other hand, the third generation was produced as a five-door hatchback and as a four-door sedan.
Features of Ford KA
Appearance
In terms of looks, the Ford KA is neither good nor bad-looking. Nevertheless, its subcompact design makes it an ideal car for city driving. Some of the notable features that this model comes with are remote locking, heated mirrors, body-colored bumpers, alloy wheels, height adjustable driver’s seat, front fog lights, and folding rear seats.
The Ford KA has a wheelbase of 98.1 inches, a length of between 153.0 inches and 154.7 inches, a width of 66.7 inches, and a height of 60.0 inches.
Performance
The Ford KA comes with multiple engine options that allow interested buyers to pick a version that best suits their needs. Regardless, it is vital to know that the first-generation model only comes with the petrol version, while the second and third-generation models come with both petrol and diesel options.
The most popular and reliable Ford KA engine is the 1.2-liter engine. This engine delivers up to 68 bhp and 75 lb-ft of torque. It also has a top speed of 99 mph, which is exceptional. This car can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 12 seconds.
Comfort and cargo area
When it comes to comfort, the Ford KA is not one of the best options. This is because it comes with a close-packed cabin that taller people will have a hard time enjoying the ride. Moreover, the cargo area is too small and only suitable for carrying a few things. As a result, this is not a good car for long journeys.
Safety
Even though the Ford KA doesn’t come with lots of safety features, it is still a safe car. Some of the top safety features of the Ford KA include speed assistance, lane assist system, active bonnet, AEB pedestrian, AEB city, and AEB interurban. Other notable safety features of the Ford KA are electronic stability control, Isofix child seat anchor points, and three-point belts.
Fuel efficiency
The Ford KA is an efficient and eco-friendly car. Both engines produce less than 120g/km of C02, making them cheap to tax. Ford KA emissions are best with the diesel engine, and it can return up to 67 mpg. On the other hand, the 1.2-liter petrol engine isn’t far off with an economy figure of around 55 mpg.
Price
The Ford KA is not only a subcompact and exceptional city car, but it is also affordable. Nonetheless, the price varies from one region to another. For instance, the Ford KA+ has a starting price of about $10955.60 in the UK and $10561 in Germany. Besides, used models are even cheaper.
FAQ
Is Ford KA worth buying?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re in the market for a first car or a small city car, this is the ideal car for you. This car is compact, fuel-efficient, and reliable. Furthermore, it is easy to maneuver in traffic and park in public car parks. On the contrary, it is not suitable for those looking for a car for long-distance traveling.
Is Ford KA a reliable car?
Yes, the Ford KA is a reliable car. However, it’s not the most reliable car in its class. Most reliability rating agencies have provided it with an above-average reliability score. Nonetheless, this car has fallen behind in the safety category. This is because it received a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, which is quite lower compared to most of its rivals.
What are the common problems with Ford KA?
The Ford KA may be a wonderfully compact city car, but it also comes with several issues. Some of the common issues with the Ford KA are engine issues, idle speed control valve problems, engine misfiring, oil light being illuminated, rattling engine, steering problems, suspension issues, and braking problems.
How fast is the Ford KA?
Ford KA comes with multiple engine options with varying power. The most powerful Ford KA engine is the 1499cc Duratec Ti-VCT I4 petrol or ethanol engine. This engine delivers up to 105 PS and 105 lb-ft of torque. It also has a top speed of up to 99 mph and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 12.0 seconds.
Which cars are like Ford KA?
The Ford KA is a subcompact city car that competes with a wide range of small city cars on the market. However, its main rivals are the Suzuki Celerio and Vauxhall Viva. Other rivals include Skoda Citigo, Peugeot 2008, Volkswagen T-Cross, and Ford Fiesta.
Conclusion
The Ford KA is a subcompact city car with exceptional features. It is smooth to drive and cheap to maintain. It is also fuel-efficient, durable, and reliable. But if you’re in the market for a high-performance, faster, and practical city car, then you may have to look away.
