Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Ford Ka+ hatchback (2016-2020)

"The Ford Ka+ is practical and handles nicely, but it's let down by a lacklustre engine and poor safety rating"

Carbuyer Rating

2.7 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Impressive interior space
  • Great to drive
  • Well priced

Cons

  • Not a quick car
  • No diesel option
  • Poor safety rating

The Ford Ka+ takes a little bit of explaining, but makes a great deal of sense once you get it. Despite the name, the Ka+ is best thought of as the Fiesta minus. It’s a foot longer than the outgoing Ka, but only 4cm shorter than the seventh-generation Ford Fiesta, a car with which it shares mechanical underpinnings.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ka+ is also a little bit taller than the last generation of Fiesta, which translates into noticeably more headroom inside. Depending on your point of view, therefore, the Ka+ either competes with superminis like the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20, or smaller city cars such as the Volkswagen up! and Hyundai i10.

The new Ka+ is only available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with either 69 or 84bhp. Whichever you choose, don’t expect lightning-fast performance: the engine is the Ka+’s main weak point. Going from 0-62mph takes 16 seconds with the less powerful engine, while upgrading to the 84bhp version reduces that time by around 2.5 seconds. Fuel economy is poor for a city car, with fuel economy of less than 50mpg. A 1.5-litre TDCI diesel is slightly better, managing up to 56.5mpg, but it also costs around £1,500 more to buy.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

We’ve long been fans of the way the Mk7 Fiesta drives, and it’s pleasing to see the Ka+ is just as engaging on the road. Ford hasn’t diluted the driving experience for what – in its eyes – is the Fiesta’s smaller sibling.

The good news continues inside, where the Ka+ makes the best possible use of its compact dimensions. Headroom is a high point and while rear passengers adopt a relatively upright seating position, this ensures legroom is adequate. Long journeys with adults in the rear should be perfectly doable, even though it’s probably kinder to put two, rather than three back there. The 270-litre boot is only about 10% smaller than the Fiesta’s, but it’s a more upright shape, so it doesn’t feel quite as usable. Not bad for a city car by any stretch, though.

All Ka+s come with air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and front electric windows. Spending an extra £1,000 moves you from Studio to Zetec trim, at which point the more powerful version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine and the diesel become available. Most buyers are expected to plump for Zetec, partly because Studio does without alloy wheels.

A Ka+ Active model was added to the range in the summer of 2018 with the intention of adding some fashionable SUV style to the standard car. Design features of the Active include a raised ride height, protective black plastic body trim, faux skid plates on the front and rear of the car and a pair of roof rails. Naturally, the changes don't turn the Ka+ into a fully fledged SUV, but they do make it more visually appealing.

One black mark against the Ka+ is its below-par three-star Euro NCAP crash-test score. Adult and child occupant protection scores were reasonable, but the Ford was only rated 29% for safety assistance due to a lack of up-to-date active safety systems.

If you're a budget-conscious city car buyer, then the Ka+ makes a practical, appealing choice. If you're able to spend a little more, however, there are rivals such as the Skoda Citigo e iV, SEAT Mii, Volkswagen up! and Renault Twingo that are far more stylish and offer modern, turbocharged three-cylinder engines that put the 1.2-litre in the Ka+ firmly in the shade.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades
2025 Toyota Yaris front quarter
News
29 Nov 2024

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades

More on Ka+

Special edition cars: the best, worst and weirdest
News
15 Dec 2020

Special edition cars: the best, worst and weirdest

Take a look at the best and most memorable special edition cars
Rugged Ford Ka+ Active leads raft of model changes
News
5 Feb 2018

Rugged Ford Ka+ Active leads raft of model changes

SUV-inspired Active model and a diesel engine among 2018 Ford Ka+ changes

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024