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		Feature Article Ford Ka
Model	Review website	Link
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	Ka Channel 4	Ka Channel 4

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This weeks car review

Ford Ka

Compiled by Malcolm Ogston cars-to-buy.com motoring consultant

Ford's curvy, cuddly Ka still looks as fresh as the day it was launched in 1996, and at long last, the Ka family has expanded to include the Streetka roadster (reviewed separately) and the Sportka, which has a 1.6-litre, 95bhp engine. The 1.3-litre Ka continues, with a new, more powerful and more refined engine. Although the Ka's basic underpinnings are based on those of the last-generation Fiesta, Ford says that the Ka range will continue for a few years yet, and indeed, last year, record numbers of Ka 1.3s were sold - it belies the age of its design and engineering in many ways.

This cheaply-priced city car continues to be popular for good reason: it's easy and fun to drive, and surprisingly spacious for something so small. The Ka is ideal for around town yet is comfortable and capable on the motorway, and although it's not especially well-equipped, it is good value for money and, well, just so cute and lovable. The new Sportka is not really a properly sporting hot hatch, but it has a good bit of extra zip and should prove both amusing and insurance-friendly

All the mechanical elements are tried and tested, and the Ka and Sportka are relatively unsophisticated in terms of electronic engine management or complex electrics, so there's not a lot that can go wrong. Commonly-recorded problems with earlier Kas included premature rust and water leaks, but these issues should be sorted by now. The Ka tends to wear well, with tough interior upholstery, though some of the cabin plastics are flimsy and the fat bumpers are easily marked

Driving
The Ka has excellent all-round vision, and its short front and rear overhangs make parking and tight manoeuvring simple. The steering is light, yet remains communicative at high speeds, so you always feel directly connected to the wheels and chassis. Ford intended the Ka and Sportka to be entertaining for keen drivers but remain user-friendly, predictable and safe for novices (or those whose enthusiasm might outweigh their actual skills), and has been successful in achieving this. The only black mark is the gearbox in the Sportka: we found the low-ratio, short-throw 'box awkward and stiff at times, but we'll give it the benefit of the doubt as the car we tested was very low-mileage, and should loosen up with use. Like the old Fiesta, the Ka is one of the most amusing little cars around in terms of its handing and sheer fun factor - only the MINI is some way ahead. It might not be the quickest, even in 1.6 Sportka form, but you can use every little bit of power it has, with its adept, agile chassis, responsive, direct steering and excellent balance. You can tell that the Ka also shared its basic underpinnings with the excellent (but now sadly discontinued) Puma coupe, and that the Sportka's suspension is derived from that of the competent old Fiesta Zetec-S. Grip is good, and you'd have to misjudge things very badly to get it out of shape on a bend - both Ka and Sportka are set up to be safe and predictable, and to flatter the less experienced driver. The Sportka has a low-ratio, short-throw gearbox (derived from that of the Puma) which enables more rapid acceleration and hill-climbing, though both versions have well-spaced gears. The Sportka also has its exhaust intake and muffler tuned slightly for a more sporting sound, which adds to the general effect.

Performance
The Sportka is on the lukewarm side of hot hatch-dom, but sheer power and speed are only small parts of the story (see Fun To Drive category). Both models are nippy and responsive around town, quick to please and instantly amusing, and cruise easily at motorway speeds. The Sportka has a bit more power in hand for overtaking and progress up steep hills, though you do have to work it hard, and you will rarely get a chance to engage the higher-ratio gears away from the motorway; still, it will give a Citroen Saxo VTR, Fiat Punto Sporting or Vauxhall Corsa SXI a run for their money, though the MG ZR 105 and MINI One are both quicker and feel more like grown-up warm hatches.

Safety and Security
The Ka has performed well in the Euro NCAP crash tests considering the age of its structural design, though its three-star result now lags behind the more modern competition. Only Sportka models get standard ABS anti-lock brakes - these must-have safety items are cost options on other versions (although they may feature on some special-edition models). Passenger and side airbags are also only optional, and there are only two rear three-point seatbelts and headrests. It's all a bit basic by modern standards. Sportka models have an alarm, remote central locking and locking alloy wheel nuts, but independent tests have found the Ka easy to break into. Rear parking sensors are a useful option, too.

Running Costs
Insurance is low (Group 2 or 3 for the Ka 1.3, TBC for the Sportka but expected to be inexpensive), and servicing and maintenance are cheap. Fuel consumption is quite frugal; the 1.3's new Duratec engine is more economical than the old Endura unit it replaces, despite being more powerful: it returns 43.5mpg, and the Sportka does 37.2mpg, officially, at least - we suspect real-life consumption, when you put your right foot down, will be somewhat thirstier. The Ka is also popular as a second-hand purchase, so it will hold its value well for a city car. The Ka is popular second-hand, so you won't find good ones dirt-cheap, but there are enough around to source a decent one at a sensible price. Independent car supermarkets and large-scale retail outlets usually offer good savings, and there are always lots of private cars in local classified ads. Look out for signs of premature rust, water leaks into the cabin (usually around the footwell), and tired, hard-worked old 1.3 engines and gearboxes. It may be essentially an aged design, but the Ka isn't about to become obsolete, and it's still good value for money. Watch out for special editions and limited-run models, but currently, the Ka Collection, with central locking, electric windows and metallic paint (plus optional air-con and ABS) looks the best all-round value. Luxury Ka models come somewhat dearer, but have leather seats, alloy wheels and electric door mirrors, and Sportka models are quite well-equipped too, though in price they're going to be close to the more accomplished, better-specced, and more refined 115bhp MINI One. The most basic Ka models are really only for misers.

Comfort and Equipment
The Ka rides well for a small car, even with the stiffer suspension, lower-profile tyres and larger wheels of the Sportka, though it's not as quiet and refined as some of its more modern rivals, such as the MINI One. The Ka 1.3 is noticeably softer-sprung and slightly more wallowy, with the more compliant low-speed ride. The new 1.3 engine is much smoother than its predecessor, and both this and the Sportka's 1.6 rev sweetly, so the noise isn't too intrusive or offensive. Its seats are supportive and comfortable on long journeys, and wind noise is well-suppressed thanks to the Ka's aerodynamic shape. There isn't much provision for oddments, though, apart from a small capsule-like glovebox (made from very flimsy plastic) and narrow door pockets, and although the upper-spec Kas are well-finished with a nice feel to their trim and upholstery, the base models do seem rather dated and spartan. The interior is positively Tardis-like, say Ka owners, and there's certainly a lot of space inside for such a small car, thanks to the long wheelbase and wheel-at-each-corner design. There's loads of room up front, with even very tall drivers well accommodated, plenty of headroom and a generous boot; the rear legroom is a bit tight, but better than that of, for example, the Lupo or Arosa. The cabin isn't that wide, however, and two adults up front can end up elbowing each other if they're not careful. All a bit basic here; most versions of the Ka have a radio/cassette only, which is no more than adequate. A CD player is optional on base versions, standard in upper-spec models and the Sportka, though its sound quality is not that great and audiophiles will want to fit an aftermarket upgrade. Satellite navigation is optional in Luxury models.

Ford Ka photographs courtesy channel 4

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