Ford Ka+: small, yellow and a bit cheeky

Ford Ka+: small, yellow and a bit cheeky

Feel

Its Sahara yellow catches the eye, its shape is well-behaved, somewhat modern, the radiator grille suggests a small shark's mouth. There are small cars that are less sexy. But the color is still debatable. Inside, simplicity dominates. Lots of plastic, artificial leather, fabric seats. The low starting price is no coincidence. The feeling of space and ergonomics are right. All important controls are tidy and self-explanatory. The small, central screen in the center console forms the command center. Elements in black piano lacquer exude a very subtle touch of a little more luxury.

Drive

The 1.2-liter gasoline engine delivers either 70 or 85 hp and a maximum of 112 Newton meters of torque and passes this on directly to the front wheels. Shifting is done via a manual 5-speed box. Exciting: Despite the small displacement, the acceleration isn't that bad. Only at the top does the Ka+ no longer become faster but rather more reserved. If you drive much faster, a lot of fuel flows through: it can be around 7 liters. It will hardly be possible to use less than 6 liters in the inner city. Otherwise, the Ka+ presents itself as a small, agile city car with subtly sporty, direct steering and a less robust chassis. The seating comfort is okay, the armrest is practical.

Load

In 5-seater mode, the trunk swallows 270 liters. If you fold the second bench completely down, it's around 850 liters. That's definitely enough for a young couple, but for a small family it's borderline tight. You can also tell that the engine is in distress when it's full. 

Conclusion

With the Ford Ka+ you get a lot of car for your money. Not a fast car, but a practical car. The consumption was too high for my taste, that could be better. The material appearance is okay for the price category, the driving experience is appealing and even a touch sporty. A solid, modern small car with a bold color and potential for many years of driving pleasure, as long as you don't drive kilometers on the highway too often.