The Ford Ka has been around since way back in 1996, but it wasn’t until 2009 that the second generation of Ford’s smallest car was released. It has proved a real hit with the British public, and though it was replaced in 2016 by the 5-door Ka+, the 3-door Ka still has plenty to offer for first-time buyers and those living in cities in particular. It’s a great little car, offering practicality, cheap running costs, and all the reliability you’d expect from a Ford.
Exterior
The original Ka burst on to the scene with an eye-catching, innovative design and it proved popular with buyers. More recent models are more conventional-looking but it’s still a cute car with a neat exterior design and those distinctive slanted Ford headlights. Some of the trim packs allowed buyers to personalise their Ka with distinctive colours and graphics – watch out for those on the used market if you fancy something a little bit different.
Interior
Despite being a small car, the Ka has an impressive amount of space in the front. In particular, there’s plenty of headroom thanks to the curved roof. The boot is a decent size too and you can increase it by folding down the rear seats, a sensible option for most as this car is likely to have only one occupant most of the time, given its target market.
Driving
The Ka is fantastically agile, making it ideal for navigating busy city streets and an enjoyable driving experience. It can entertain out of town too, with the good grip and handling making it lots of fun on country roads. The smooth suspension makes it a comfortable drive as well.
Practicality
This is a highly practical choice if you’re after a city car. The size and handling make it ideal for this sort of environment, and reliability is very good too. It’s easy to repair and maintain, while running costs are low; all features that will appeal to first time buyers.
