Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec

Can new city car maintain Ka’s reputation?

The latest Ford Fiesta is one of the most impressive cars of the last 12 months. Distil the charms of the full-sized supermini into a smaller package, and you should have a winner.

However, the new Ka isn’t as simple as that. Unlike the Fiesta, which was designed from scratch by Ford, the newcomer is essentially a rebodied Fiat 500.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Hold the key in your hand, and you are immediately reminded that this isn’t a Ford at heart – the blipper is a rebadged Fiat unit. Park the Ka next to a 500, and it comes out second best on styling. Designers were given the shape of the
500 and asked to add Ford features – the result being that the Ka looks like a Fiesta that’s been squashed in a vice.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Ford Ka

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69796","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Climb inside, and you can see that all of the switchgear is in the same position as it is in the 500, too. The dash has been reskinned, yet you can’t help but think Ford could have revised the layout further.

So, is there any point in taking a test drive? Yes. The Ka shares a lot with the 500, but that’s no bad thing, as the Fiat is one of the best city cars money can buy. As a result, the Ford has adequate space front and rear, and a healthy 224-litre boot. Where the engineers have put in more work is with the Ka’s mechanicals. The firm has carried out extensive revisions to the chassis to make the newcomer handle as well as the rest of its range.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Jumping into the Ka after the 500 is a strange experience – the controls are in exactly the same place, yet they have a different feel. The Ford offers more direct responses to any input from the driver. Changes of direction come with less
body roll, while the steering is more accurate. However, ride quality and driver entertainment are well behind the Fiesta.

The Ford’s 1.2-litre petrol engine is one of the stronger performers here. It delivered brisk acceleration and the best economy, yet it felt breathless on the road. However, our car had only covered 300 miles, so this should improve once the motor has loosened up.

The final ingredient of any city car is price. With a list figure dipping below £6,000, the original Ka became excellent value towards the end of its life. Its replacement is available from £7,827, while our Zetec test car costs a pricey £9,295. However, that’s still £205 less than the Fiat. Will it be enough to secure victory, though?

What will it cost you?
The second most expensive car in our line-up – yet only the Renault has weaker residual values than the new Ford. After three years and 30,000 miles, the Ka is expected to retain only 40.6 per cent of its showroom price. 

As with its Fiat 500 twin, the Ford emits 119g/km of CO2, so owners will shell out only £35 a year in road tax. Company buyers will be drawn to its low 10 per cent tax rating, too. But strangely, the Ford is the most costly car in our test to insure.

In detail
* Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 68bhp
* 0-60mph: 13.5 seconds
* Economy: 39.4mpg
* Annual road tax: £35
* Euro NCAP rating: Four star

Details

Price: £9,295
Model tested: Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec
Chart position: 2
WHY: Replacement for long-lived original Ka is finally here. We see if it lives up to legend.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,743 off RRP*Used from £25,098
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,155Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Used from £8,199
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,075Avg. savings £1,664 off RRP*Used from £14,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025
Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored
BYD Seal - front cornering

Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Chinese electric cars. We’re here to separate the fact from the fiction
Features
7 Feb 2025