Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020) Review
Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020) Verdict
Impressive levels of comfort and refinement. Spacious interior and large boot. Well-equipped as standard. Good ride and very comfortable.
Not as efficient or as cheap to buy as its rivals. Bland styling. 1.2 petrol engine is characterless and slow.
Find out more about the Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020)
The Ka+ is the cheapest new Ford, with its sub-£9k price pitching it squarely against the best five-door small hatchbacks on the market. Good build quality and low running costs make the Ka+ easy to recommend, although some might be disappointed by the bland styling and sluggish performance.
Despite the name, the Ka+ is not actually related to the Ka - it’s actually based on the Fiesta. Yet, despite being shorter than Ford’s best-selling hatchback, the Ka+ is a proper five seater and has a useable 270-litre boot.
There are only two trim levels to choose from - Studio and Zetec - but both versions get lots of kit as standard, including front fog lights, electric door mirrors, Bluetooth and electric front windows. However, unlike the competition, there are no colourful customisation options for the interior, which means you have to make do with lots of dull grey plastic.
Despite being the entry-level car of the Ford range, the Ka+ doesn’t feel below par when it comes to quality. All of the doors shut with a satisfying clunk and the switchgear in the cabin feels on par with anything you’d find in the Mondeo or S-MAX. Soundproofing levels are also impressive, which means the cabin is quiet and a relaxing place to sit.
The Ka+ impresses on the road with a smooth ride that does a good job of ironing out bumpy roads and potholes. The steering is precise and light, which makes it easy to navigate tight urban streets and exploit gaps in traffic. The large windscreen and wide door mirrors also provide excellent visibility, which makes reversing and parking a stress free experience.
The engine and gearboxes choices are limited. In fact, there is just one engine - a 1.2-litre petrol that comes in two versions - 70PS or 85PS. And there's only a five-speed manual gearbox. Both versions of the four-cylinder engine return an official 56.5mpg, however, even in its most powerful form, the Ka+ is slow footed, with 0-62mph taking 13 seconds. Opt for the 70PS unit and you’ll be waiting 15 seconds to hit motorway speeds, which makes busy junctions and slip roads a frustrating experience.
Despite its shortcomings, the Ka+ is a decent small hatchback, even if it sorely lacks Ford’s excellent 1.0 EcoBoost engine. The interior gets all the basics right, with lots of space and impressive build quality. Running costs are also low, which makes the Ka+ an appealing choice as a second car. However, there’s no hiding the fact that the 1.2-litre engine is weak on performance. The dull interior only enhances the fact that the Ka+ desperately lacks the fun and style of its rivals.
Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's review of the Ford Ka+
Reviews for Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020)'s top 3 rivals
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Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2 70 to 1.2 85
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 39–55 mpg
As with all small cars, the Ka+ excels in busy cities and towns, with its compact dimensions and precise, light steering making it great for navigating rush hour traffic or fitting into narrow parking spaces on the school run. Refinement levels are also impressive, with the smooth ride and quiet cabin giving the Ka+ the feel of a much larger car.
Despite being 40mm shorter than the Fiesta, the Ka+ feels stable and sure footed, with minimal body roll in the corners or buffering in poor weather. Sometimes small hatchbacks can feel a skittish in the winter - or when passing a large HGV - but the little Ford has no such problems.
The handling, like many Fords, is strong, with the weigh of the steering increasing in tune with the vehicle's speed. This means you can navigate a series of twisty bends, without having to guess how much grip the front wheels may have. The five-speed manual gearbox is also slick, which well-judged ratios.
The weak link in the package is the 1.2-litre petrol engine, which has been derived from the old 1.25 unit from the Fiesta. Available with 70PS or 85PS, the four-cylinder engine feels lethargic above 50mph and even the most powerful version will only muster 112Nm of torque at 4000rpm. As a result the Ka+ is hard work on the motorway, with one or two downchanges required to build momentum to exit a slip road or pass slow moving traffic.
Running costs also lag behind the competition, with the 70PS and 85PS units returning an official 56.5mpg and emitting 114g/km of CO2. In comparison, the best small hatchbacks will officially exceed 65mpg. But, as always, we recommend prioritising Real MPG ratings over anything the car manufacturers tell you.
While the engine might fall behind on performance and economy, it does have a good reputation for reliability in the Fiesta. It is also smooth and quiet, which makes the Ka+ a tranquil motorway cruiser, once you’ve eventually reached 70mph.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 70 | 55–57 mpg | 15.3 s | 114–117 g/km |
| 1.2 85 | 50–57 mpg | 13.3–13.5 s | 114–129 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020)
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
88%
Real MPG
39–55 mpg
MPGs submitted
32
Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020) interior
- Euro NCAP rating of three stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3929 mm |
| Width | 1911 mm |
| Height | 1521 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2489 mm |
Despite measuring just four metres in length, the Ka+ is a proper five seater. However, owing to its upright stance, it actually feels more spacious than the Fiesta it is based on.
This is because the five-door Ka+ is 29mm taller than the Fiesta, which means even tall adults will fit in the back, without their head bouncing against the roof of the car.
The Ka+ gets one of the largest boots of any small hatchback, with 270 litres on offer, including a 13-litre underfloor storage compartment. This can be extended to 849 litres, with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats, but even with the rear seats in place there is enough space for a couple of large suitcases, although the high boot lip makes it tricky to load heavy items without catching the paintwork.
Unlike some bargain basement hatchbacks, Ford hasn’t scrimped on the quality of the trim and fittings. Everything feels solid and there are no rattles or creaks, which reinforces the impression that the cabin is built to last.
The dashboard does look and feel old fashioned though. The design is similar to the Fiesta, which makes it easy to read and use, but there is little colour or imagination with the layout. There are also no colourful customisation options for the interior, which means you are stuck with lots of dull grey and black plastics.
Standard equipment is good across both the two trim levels though. Entry-level Studio versions gets all of the basics, with front fog lights, electric door mirrors, remote central locking and a docking clamp for your phone. Zetec models add 15-inch alloy wheels, air con, cruise control and Ford’s Sync system, with improved smartphone integration with the infotainment system.
Standard Equipment (from 2016):
Studio has 15-inch steel wheels with 8x2 spoke wheel covers, body coloured bumpers, chrome upper grille, electrically operated door mirrors with side indicators, front fog lamps with daytime running lights, AM/FM radio with device dock, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, speed limiter, Ford EasyFuel, electric front windows, hill start assist, engine immobiliser, trip computer, perimeter alarm, remote central locking, centre rear head restraint, tyre repair kit and deflation detection system (DDS).
Zetec adds 15-inch 5x2 spoke alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, DAB radio with 4.2-inch TFT screen, Ford SYNC, MyKey, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls and cruise control.
Ford Ka+ (2016 – 2020) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3929 mm |
| Width | 1911 mm |
| Height | 1521 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2489 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1013–1088 kg |
| Boot Space | - |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £9,245–£12,600 |
| Insurance Groups | 1–5 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–D |
| Official MPG | 49.6–56.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 3 |
On sale until April 2020
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 70ps Studio 5dr | - | - | - |
| 1.2 70ps Zetec 5dr | - | - | - |
| 1.2 85ps Active 5dr | - | 49.6 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec 5dr | - | - | - |
On sale until March 2020
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 70ps Studio 5dr | £11,300 | 55.4 mpg | 15.3 s |
| 1.2 70ps Zetec 5dr | £12,300 | 55.4 mpg | 15.3 s |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec 5dr | £12,600 | 56.5 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec Black Edition 5dr | £12,095 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec White Edition 5dr | £12,095 | 56.5 mpg | - |
On sale until April 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 70ps Studio 5dr | £9,245 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.2 70ps Zetec 5dr | £10,245 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec 5dr | £10,545 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec Black Edition 5dr | £11,095 | 56.5 mpg | - |
| 1.2 85ps Zetec White Edition 5dr | £11,095 | 56.5 mpg | - |
Model History
- June 2016: New Ford Ka+ launched
- September 2016: Ford Ka+ now on sale in the UK
- February 2018: Updated Ford Ka+ arrives
June 2016
New Ford Ka+ launched
The Ka+ provides an attractive new alternative for buyers who want a stylish, well-equipped small car at a price point starting at £8,995.
Available to order from June 2016 with first deliveries "later" in 2016, the all-new Ford Ka+ is based on Ford’s global small-car platform, in this case built in Brazil.
At less than 4 metres, the Ka+ is slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29mm taller, providing class-leading front headroom and best-in-class legroom for rear passengers. It offers 270 litres of luggage space, plus 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and 21 stowage locations throughout the cabin for small items.
Stowage areas include 'MyFord Dock' in the centre of the instrument panel that enables storage, mounting and chargging of mobile devices such as phones and navigation systems, and front door bins that can each hold a 1.0-litre bottle, a 0.6-litre bottle and a small umbrella. A hidden stowage bin within the end of the instrument panel is only accessible when the driver’s door is open, allowing valuables to be hidden out of sight.
The interior features a grained finish on the instrument panel and hard-wearing, contemporary trim materials in a stylish dark charcoal colour scheme. Distinctive chrome accents are applied in tactile and highly visible areas such as the door release handles, centre console control knobs and air vents.
The Ka+ features a simplified powertrain line-up based on an efficient 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine with a choice of 70PS and 85PS power outputs and derived from the the 1.25-litre engine in the Fiesta, featuring twin-independent variable camshaft timing to enhance performance and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
With a standard five-speed manual transmission, the 1.2-litre engine has been tuned to deliver smooth and responsive performance, with a broad spread of torque.
Regenerative charging saves fuel by maintaining efficient charge levels in the vehicle battery by capturing ‘free’ electrical energy when drivers coast or brake. Low rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic details, such as an optimised front lower spoiler lip and grille openings, also contribute to improved efficiency. Both engine options achieve CO 2 emissions of 114g/km, with combined fuel consumption of 56.5mpg.
To deliver the desired dynamic performance, the Ka+ features a unique chassis specification with specially developed features including steering system, springs and dampers, front anti-roll bar, rear torsion beam axle and tyres, along with re-engineered front sub-frame and engine mounts.
September 2016
Ford Ka+ now on sale in the UK
Ka+ Studio 1.0 Ti-VCT 70PS £8995
Ka+ Zetec 1.0 Ti-VCT 70PS £9995
Ka+ Zetec 1.0 Ti-VCT 80PS £10,295
February 2018
Updated Ford Ka+ arrives
The Ka+ gets Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps.
It also has a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder Ti-VCT (Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing) petrol engine offering 70PS or 85PS, and Ford’s 95PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine.
Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system enables drivers to control audio and connected smartphones using voice commands, or via the tablet-inspired 6.5-inch colour touchscreen, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Further technologies available to make driving easier include rain-sensitive wipers, headlamps that turn on automatically as daylight fades, and Ford’s Quickclear heated windscreen for faster getaways on frosty mornings. Heated front seats, Electronic Automatic Temperature Control and rear parking sensors are also offered.
All Ka+ models offer a comprehensive standard specification including power front windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, Hill Start Assist, Speed Limiter, and Ford Easy Fuel. The engine now starts with the push of a button, and in response to customer feedback, the bootspace is easier to access with a tailgate-mounted switch for easy opening, in addition to the convenient interior release accessible from the driver’s seat.
Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System protect occupants, and available Ford MyKey technology allows owners to set maximum speed and audio volume limits, and ensure safety features are not disabled when young and inexperienced drivers drive Ka+.
What to watch out for
Report of clutch failing on September 2018 Ford KA+ at 500 miles on 1-11-2018. Now 1-12-2018 and supplying dealer still unable to obtain a replacement clutch. Cannot give customer date to repair. Advised to reject the KA.
