Ford Ka

Not quite as lovable as the original but still an excellent small car

March 2009

What do you get if you cross a Ford Fiesta with a Fiat 500? The new Ka. When it came to launching a replacement for the original, the blue oval cut costs and joined forces with the Italian giant.

So the new model gets underpinnings, including a 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine range, from the 500 with a Fiesta-inspired body on top. Inside, it's the same story with lots of Fiat switchgear – although at least it's a vast improvement on its predecessor.

Not much of the original version's verve has been carried over, with numb, vague steering and a choppy ride, but the new Ka is refined, well made and spacious too. Our £8,000 limit will buy a 1.2 Studio, which doesn't get air-con as standard but does come with electric windows, power steering and two airbags.

It's peppy and thrifty, doing 0-60mph in 13 seconds, 55mpg and emitting 119g/km of CO2. It might not be as fun as the original, but it all adds up to a stylish and good value small car.