Ford Ka review (2008-2016) - Practicality, comfort and boot space
The Ka was roomy for those up front, and offered plenty of boot space. Only the rear seats are compromised
Despite its tiny exterior dimensions, the Ford Ka delivered reasonable practicality. Inside, there are a pair of usefully shaped door bins, a decent-sized glovebox and a number of cup-holders. Zetec models and above got stretchy storage nets mounted in the rooflining and on the side of the centre console.
The driving position could be better – you sit too high and there’s no reach adjustment on the steering wheel – but visibility is good.
Size
It wasn't the most spacious city car, but the Ford Ka is pretty compact – although at this end of the market the differences tend to be fairly marginal.
At 3,620mm end-to-end, the Ka was 25mm longer than a Renault Twingo, 80mm longer than a Volkswagen up! and 165mm longer than a Toyota Aygo. It was 20mm shorter than a Hyundai i10, but the Ford was at least 20cm wider than all of them.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
Legroom and headroom are both pretty good up front for driver and passenger. However, the Ka was hampered by its three-door layout, which made getting into the cramped rear tricky. On the plus side, Edge models and above got an easy access driver’s seat that tilted further forward to create a larger opening.
Used - available now
2021 Volvo
XC60
42,300 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £31,799
2024 Nissan
X-Trail
26,215 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £27,599
2020 Volvo
XC40
30,747 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £22,699
2023 Audi
Q3
30,000 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £22,599Once inside, rear passengers will find space isn’t a match for the class leaders’. Headroom is OK, but leg and shoulder room are compromised. Again, the Ka had to give ground to more efficient rivals – buyers will find more practical accommodation in the rear of the Hyundai i10, as well as in the near-identical Skoda Citigo, SEAT Mii and Volkswagen up!.
There was no centre seatbelt on the rear bench, confirming the Ka as a strict four-seater, although standard Isofix child seat mountings were part of the package.
Boot
The Ford Ka provided 224 litres of boot space, which was more than the Fiat 500, but trailed the Volkswagen up!, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo by 26 litres. From Zetec spec upwards, all versions of the Ford Ka got split-folding seats, so you could expand boot space to a useful 747 litres. It wasn't bad for such a small car, but it’s just a shame that there was such a high boot lip, which made loading bulkier items a bit of a pain. The luggage area couldn’t be configured with a flat floor, either, unlike a Citigo’s.
As the Ka wasn’t officially rated for towing by Ford, you can't fit a tow bar.
