Ford Ka (2008 – 2016) Review
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Ford Ka (2008 – 2016) Verdict
Easy to drive and economical. Based on the Fiat 500 but handles much better. More room in rear than 500.
Diesel engine not worth the extra. Never got TwinAir engine.
Find out more about the Ford Ka (2008 – 2016)
As you may well have read or seen elsewhere, I have a FIAT 500. And I'm not going to pretend the new Ford Ka has nothing in common with it.
It's basically the same car, or Ka, however you spell it.
The market quite likes it, but is not prepared to pay as much for a Ka as for a FIAT 500.
Reviews for Ford Ka (2008 – 2016)'s top 3 rivals
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Ford Ka (2008 – 2016) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2 to 1.3 TDCi
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 36–67 mpg
The future will apparently bring us a Ka with a new 900cc two cylinder petrol turbo engine developing up to 110bhp and 120Nm torque and capable of 60mpg. And an ultra-economical 900cc turbodiesel ECOnetic emitting just 80g/km CO2.
But, in the meantime, we have to settle for FIAT's 1,242cc 69PS petrol engine and 1,248cc 75PS Multijet diesel, with Ford names attached to them.
No problem there. My 500 1.2 petrol is returning 51.1mpg in mixed use and, while no ball of fire, is a decent, relaxed and pleasant performer.
Its Achilles heel is its handling. Get it on a roundabout and while the entry is fine, the left turn onto the exit road can have the back end lifting a wheel and hopping across the road. It's simply too stiff.
Lowering the tyre pressures a couple of pounds curbs its tendency to head towards the kerb and improves ride quality a bit, but doesn't entirely eliminate the deficiency.
Happily, Ford chassis engineers weren't having any of this. If anyone knows how to make a car both ride and handle well, they do. So the first thing they did was stiffen up the twist beam rear axle by 70% with a torsion rod. And the second thing they did was soften the rear springs by 30%. They also played around with the electric steering mechanism and software.
The result is a transformation of the car's ride and handling. Bumps and ruts are absorbed as if they didn't exist. And you can actually feel both back tyres clinging to the surface of the road rather than attempting to leave it. The rumour is that once FIAT found out what Ford had done they adopted exactly the same tweaks to the back axle of the Punto Abarth, and that's why that car is getting rave reviews.
Prices kick off at £7,995 for the base version, rising through £8,495 and £8,995 to £9,495, with the diesel engine a mere £700 more on the top Zetec version. (You can see what you get with the four trim levels in the specifications section.) Ford expects the model mix to be 20% base ‘Style' models, 32% Style and Style + and 48% Zetec.
A bonus over the 500 is an expected 1E or 2E insurance rating compared to the 500's ABI Group 4. But Ford is only banking on a 4 star NCAP score because side curtain airbags are not standard as they are on the 500.
Did I like it? Too right I did. It's comfortable, stylish and great fun to drive.
It isn't as complete a car as the cheaper 5-door, 5-seater Hyundai i10, but its fun looks and endless options list should appeal to younger drivers and to fans of the blue oval who haven't been bitten by the FIAT 500 bug.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 55–58 mpg | 13.1–13.4 s | 115–119 g/km |
| 1.3 TDCi | 69 mpg | 13.6 s | 109 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Ford Ka (2008 – 2016)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
82%
Real MPG
36–67 mpg
MPGs submitted
148
Ford Ka (2008 – 2016) interior
- Boot space is 224–747 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3620–3969 mm |
| Width | 1658–1894 mm |
| Height | 1413–1505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2300 mm |
Inside, Ford's designers and stylists have done their best to disguise the Ka's 500 and Panda origins by a completely different twin dial dash and a facia cut away in front of the passenger with a decent size glovebox underneath. That's on LHD Kas anyway. Can't say for RHD because I don't know if anything might intrude in to the glovebox with RHD.
There are some really cheerful fabrics used on the seats, and a long options list allowing you to personalise the car. I thought there was a bit more legroom in the back than in my 500, and the more upright rear profile gives the Ka a 39 litre bigger 224 litre boot. But, like the 500, and the new Fiesta, the rear seats don't fold flat. Only the backrests flop down. (Ford might be thinking of improving this and adopting proper, double folding rear seats to leave a flat luggage deck like the Hyundai i10's.)
An irritation is that there's no space inside the rear hatch handle to fit a microswitch, like the 500's. So the only way to open it is either with the key or to press the boot opener on the remote twice. Ford's response to our criticism of this is to change the ESP switch on the dash to a boot switch and make switchable ESP one of the stalk and button menu functions.
Ford Ka (2008 – 2016) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3620–3969 mm |
| Width | 1658–1894 mm |
| Height | 1413–1505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2300 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 907–1055 kg |
| Boot Space | 224–747 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Tyre-repair kit | ||
| Alternative | Full-size spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £8,995–£12,225 |
| Insurance Groups | 3–4 |
| Road Tax Bands | B–C |
| Official MPG | 55.4–68.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | 4 |
On sale until July 2019
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 69ps Edge 3dr | £9,945 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Studio 3dr | £8,995 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Style 3dr | £9,745 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Titanium 3dr | £11,995 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Zetec 3dr | £10,695 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Zetec Black Edition 3dr | £10,995 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 69ps Zetec White Edition 3dr | £10,995 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
On sale until April 2015
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Edge 1.2 69 3dr | £9,945 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| Grand Prix 1.2 69 3dr | £11,445 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| Metal 1.2 69 3dr | £11,445 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
| Studio Connect 1.2 69 3dr | £9,445 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
On sale until July 2013
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Metal 1.3 TDCi 3dr | £12,225 | 68.9 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Titanium 1.3 TDCi 3dr | £11,975 | 68.9 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Zetec 1.3 TDCi 3dr | £11,475 | 68.9 mpg | 13.6 s |
On sale until December 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Digital 1.2 3dr | £11,225 | 57.7 mpg | 13.4 s |
On sale until December 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Style 1.2 3dr | £9,648 | 55.4 mpg | 13.1 s |
| Style+ 1.2 3dr | £10,261 | 55.4 mpg | 13.1 s |
Model History
October 2008
Ford Ka revealed
Based on Fiat 500 and built alongside it with front drive and same petrol and diesel engines including 1.25 Multijet diesel. Later to come with a new 900cc two cylinder turbocharged engine developing 90bhp to 110bhp and 120Nm torque and using stop-start technology.
Said to be capable of 60mpg. 900cc base model to sell from around £6,000. Also talk of a super clean Eco 80g/km CO2 Ka with 2 cylinder turbodiesel and dual-clutch low-friction 6-speed manual transmission like VAG's DSG.
Ford chassis engineers inserted a torsion bar into the twist-beam rear axle, softened the rear springs and fitted progressive rear dampers. This transformed the handling into much more sporty than the 500 and was later adopted by Fiat for ther 500 Abarth, the 500C and eventually the 500 hatchback itself, from 2010MY.
The bodyshell is combined with an Intelligent Protection System (IPS), which integrates airbags, restraint systems and seating technologies to provide a highly effective occupant safety system. The new Ford Ka was available in four series -Studio, Style, Style + and Zetec - each offering a combination of value and equipment. Option packs are available to provide customers with maximum choice when specifying their vehicle.
Specify the Bluetooth-enabled Connectivity Kit, and the Ka comes equipped with Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a USB port to play music files through the sound system and steering wheel controls. Unique among vehicles in the small-car segment, the all-new Ka also offers heated windscreen and heated seats, invaluable for safe and comfortable driving in cold winter conditions.
Three factory-fitted packs have been specially developed for the new Ka, offering a combination of exciting interior and exterior designs based on very different themes:
Ka Digital - Vibrant 'street fashion' style, using a fresh, high-contrast green as the base colour. The exterior pack features patterned body stripes and solid green grille surround and door mirror cappings. The interior pack includes seats with patterned inserts and green headrests, green door panels, and a solid green finish to the centre console bezel, door pulls, instrument cluster shroud, steering wheel and the rings around the air vents. Finishing touches include a gear knob and handbrake handle combining green leather with an aluminium finish, and velour floor mats with green stitching.
Ka Grand Prix - An exciting motorsports theme with a chequered flag motif based on either a red or white exterior colour scheme. The exterior pack comprises patterned body stripes with solid colour grille surround and door mirror cappings, and can be combined with a rear spoiler and white alloy wheels. The interior pack features red seats with an embossed white pattern and white headrests, red door panels and red leather trim on the steering wheel. A gear knob and handbrake
combining red leather with an aluminium finish, and velour floor mats with red stitching complete the package.
Ka Tattoo - A fashionable and fun tattoo design with a heart at its centre, created in bold metallic colours. The exterior pack includes a large decal of the tattoo logo on the roof and a smaller decal on the fender. The interior pack features seats with silver-grey fabric inserts and the tattoo logo embossed on the backrest, silver-grey headrests and door panels, and anthracite leather trim on the steering wheel. Velour floor mats with silver stitching and embroidered tattoo emblem round things off, along with a gear knob and handbrake combining anthracite leather with an aluminium finish. There is also a unique leather seat option which has a special metallic finish on the insert panels and an embossed tattoo emblem.
Original List Prices:
1.2 petrol Studio: £7,995
1.2 petrol Style: £8,495
1.2 petrol Style +: £8,995
1.2 petrol Zetec: £9,495
1.3 TDCI Zetec: £10,195
Available January 2009.
January 2009
CAP set new Ka residual values (RVs) over three years / 60,000 miles. All petrol models are valued at 39 per cent after three years / 60,000 miles with the diesel Zetec valued at 41 per cent.
January 2010
Revised model line-up, including new 'Individual' variants. Continues with the existing engines - 1.2-litre petrol (69PS) and 1.3-litre diesel (75PS) - and realigned models: Studio, Edge, Zetec and the all-new Titanium.
The Ford Ka Studio adds rear head restraints to the standard specification. The Ka Edge replaces Style and includes air conditioning as standard. The Ka Zetec gains a flexible accessory holder and leather steering wheel as standard. The top-of-the range Ka Titanium includes the following features over Zetec: 16in alloys, advanced music pack, chrome handles, tailgate handle and tailpipe and Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC). The advanced music pack includes uprated speakers, amplifier and 100w subwoofer.
Four new 'Individual' variants replace the previous option packs, based on the Zetec specification. The Ka Grand Prix includes 16in seven-spoke alloys, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust pipe and a bespoke Grand Prix interior/exterior. The Ka Digital also includes 16in seven-spoke alloys and a chrome exhaust pipe with a unique Digital interior/exterior. The Ka Tattoo includes the same Digital features with added door and tailgate handles, scuff plates and Tattoo interior (cloth) and exterior. The Ka Tattoo Premium combines the standard Tattoo features with a leather interior.
March 2011
Ford's new 'Metal' Ka goes on sale in March. The Metal Ka replaces the Tattoo version and sits alongside the Grand Prix and Digital models which add an extra layer of style and fun to Ka for customers who want to make a bolder statement.
With its dark styling the new Metal Ka is a stark contrast to the highly colourful Ka Grand Prix and Digital models. Using the Zetec model as a base, Metal Ka combines dark, glossy and metallic elements to give customers an expressive and contemporary package that includes exterior and interior treatments.
Exterior styling features on Metal Ka
- Chrome door and tailgate handles
- Large chrome finish 'Ka' badge on the rear
- Chrome finish tailgate handle
- Small chrome 'Ka' badge on the B pillars
- Standard silver 16" alloy wheels
- Optional black 16" alloy wheels
- High gloss black painted grille surround
- Optional metallic paint in midnight, Strobe or Moonlight.
Interior styling features on Metal Ka
- Leather steering wheel with gloss black spoke shell, top-stitched with silver thread
- Leather, high gloss black and chrome gear shifter
- Handbrake lever in leather and chrome effect
- Silver top-stitched floor mats with metallised Ka emblem
- Chrome effect air vent surrounds
- Chrome effect Ka badge on centre console
- Chrome effect rings on seat squab and cushion
Metal Ka is available with the 1.3-litre diesel and 1.2 litre petrol engines (1,248ccc and 1,242cc). As part of Ford's commitment to deliver enhanced fuel consumption and low CO2across the range, all Ka models are already fitted with Auto-Start-Stop technology as standard.
December 2014
Haynes manual for 2009-2014 Ford Ka released. Covers 1,242cc petrol engine, not diesel. Price £20.00 online from haynes.co.uk
What to watch out for
See FIAT 500
Wipers of early production can tangle. TSB modification to solve this.
15-06-2014:2013/63 KA Titanium suffering from oscillating revs for 8 months. Probably a fault with the mass airflow sensor. Ford dealer offered to buy the car back less an allowance for the 8 months use.
31-03-2015:2012 Ford KA failed its first MoT due to damaged rear seatbelts, both damaged near to the point where they enter the inertia reels.
01-06-2015:2015 Ka reported as having the same EU6 fault as FIAT 500s. Difficult to do hill starts, having to rev over 3000 rpm and then slip clutch otherwise car feels as if about to stall. FIAT dealers now have a software fix for this, so if Ford dealers haven't, take it to a FIAT dealer and dump the cost on the supplying dealer. Also be sure to run it on Shell V-Power Nitro Plus petrol to maximise torque at low revs.
24-07-2015:August 2014 Ford KA 1.2 cut out and stopped while driving and would not re-start. AA daid electrical fault. KA taken to Ford dealer who spent two days "investigating". Suggested the dealer contact a FIAT dealer and maybe take the KA there to get the EU6 problem software patch.
29-07-2015:Timing belt failure reported in engine of 11 month old Ford Ka resulting in two bent valves.
28-04-2016:Complaint of Ford KA bought new in March 2016 being difficult to drive off smoothly from a standstill. Either the car would judder or the engine would race. Once the car was on the move everything was fine. Dealer could find no problem with it, but later admitted that the garage was waiting for Ford to come up with a software update. This is very peculiar because FIAT 500 1,242cc EU6 engines with this problem were fixed by summer 2015.
10-12-2017:Report of gears of 2010 Ford Ka completely stuck in first. Suggested to check linkage first, then clutch, then box itself. RAC came out and found that due to minus 9 centigrade temperature the gear linkage had frozen. Applied some warm water. Defrested it. Then it worked perfectly.
