Ford KA+ Parts | 2019 - 2020 | SOHC Duratec Dragon #8A8AK075K
Ford Ka+ is a city car at affordable prices, competing with a huge range of superminis, but especially Vauxhall Viva and Suzuki Celerio. It replaces the old three-door Ka and sits below the Fiesta in Fords lineup. The five-door Ka+ is longer than the outgoing Ka, so practically its a big selling point due to the impressive legroom in the front and back. A 270-liter boot is almost a match for the Fiesta. The Ka+ is based on the Ford Figo, which is sold in India, but the suspension setup has been successfully revised for UK roads, and body modifications help reduce wind noise. Low rolling resistance tires and brake force regeneration help reduce fuel costs. The Ka+ is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine offered in two states of tune - with 69 HP or 84 HP. Both achieve fuel economy of around 56mpg, although the more powerful engine is better if you regularly drive on highways. The Ka+ comes in two trim levels, and even the base models are generously equipped with front electric windows and door mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, six airbags, and remote central locking. Ford Ka+ is part of the companys One Ford policy of selling global models. If you opened this review expecting a new Ka, as characteristic and stylish as its predecessor, youre in for a surprise, probably a bad one. However, if all you want is a safe way to get from A to B, with three other adults and their luggage, in reasonable quiet and comfort, even with a hint of driving fun, there are much worse ways to spend 10,000 euros than the Ford Ka+. How is it to drive? Ford really wants to emphasize how much the Ka+ has been "Europeanized," which under the skin is an Indian market Ford Figo, based on a Brazilian version of the previous generation Fiesta. The Ka+ deserves an EcoBoost engine. Ford Ka+ interior Inside, the Ka+ is not the usual explosion of color or attractive shapes we would expect in the supermini class, but instead has a very serious design, function over form. Simply put, everything is black, from the durable grain plastic on the instrument panel to the dark dashboard, which is well built, and the seats that Ford says are upholstered in Charcoal color. To our eyes, they are also black. No amount of money you put in Fords pockets will get you a simple solution, as there isnt one available - as standard, you get a simple stereo with a volume knob. Look for the more expensive Zetec model, and youll get a 4.2-inch display in the middle of the dashboard, but its small, hard to read, and hardly matches the larger seven-inch touchscreen you can have in a Toyota Aygo. Most modern cars have a 12-volt socket and a place to store your smartphone on the go. What Ford has done is put two above the dashboard in what they call MyFord Dock. What is essentially just a plastic phone holder is actually an excellent way to use your phone as a satellite while its charging. Ford Ka+ requires a bit of explanation, but it makes a lot of sense when you get it. Despite the name, the Ka+ facelift is best thought of as minus the Fiesta. Its a foot longer than the outgoing Ka, but only 4 cm shorter than the seventh-generation Ford Fiesta, a car with which it shares mechanical supports. The Ka+ is also a bit taller than the last generation Fiesta, which translates into more sensible headroom inside. Therefore, depending on your point of view, the Ka+ either competes with superminis like the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20, or with smaller city cars like the Volkswagen up! and Hyundai i10. The new Ka+ is only available with a 1.2-liter petrol engine, with 69 or 84 HP. Whichever you choose, dont expect lightning-fast performance: the engine is the main weak point of the Ka+. Going from 0-100 km/h takes 16 seconds with the less powerful engine, while switching to the 84 HP version can reduce the time by about 2.5 seconds. Fuel economy is poor for a city car, with fuel economy below 50mpg. A 1.5-liter TDCI diesel is slightly better, managing up to 56.5mpg, but it also costs around 1,500 euros more to buy. Weve long been fans of how the Mk7 Fiesta drives, and its delightful to see the Ka+ just as engaging on the road. Ford hasnt diluted the driving experience for what - in its eyes - is the Fiestas little brother. The good news continues inside, where the Ka+ makes the best possible use of its compact dimensions. Headroom is a high point, and while rear passengers adopt a relatively upright seating position, this ensures that legroom is adequate. Long journeys with adults in the back should be perfectly achievable, even if its probably kinder to put two rather than three there. The 270-liter trunk is about 10% smaller than the Fiestas, but its a more vertical shape, so it doesnt feel as usable. Still, its not bad for a city car. All Ka+s come with air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and front electric windows. Spending 1,000 euros moves you from Studio to Zetec, at which point the more powerful version of the 1.2-liter petrol engine and diesel become available. Most buyers are expected to opt for Zetec, in part because Studio does without alloy wheels. A Ka+ Active model was added to the range in the summer of 2018, with the intention of adding some trendy SUV styling to the standard car. Actives design features include a raised ride height, black plastic body protection, faux skid plates on the front and rear of the car, and a pair of roof rails. Of course, the changes dont turn the Ka+ into a full SUV, but they make it more visually appealing. A black mark against the Ka+ is the lower three-star Euro NCAP crash test score. Adult and child occupant protection scores were reasonable, but Ford was rated only 29% for safety assistance due to the lack of updated active safety systems. If youre a budget-conscious city car buyer, the Ka+ makes a practical and attractive choice. However, if you can spend a little more, there are rivals like the Skoda Citigo e iV, SEAT Mii, Volkswagen! and Renault Twingo, which are much more stylish and offer modern, turbocharged three-cylinder engines that put the 1.2 liters in the Ka+ to shame. Ford Ka+ petrol engines However, things are a little rosier. While the Ka+ is on the same platform as the old Fiesta, it doesnt have the more attractive engines. Instead, Ford has decided to offer the Ka+ with a slightly old-fashioned 1.2-liter petrol engine in two power outputs. The 69 HP version takes 16 seconds to go from 0-100 km/h, and that, with the best will in the world, is slow. Switching to 84 HP means youre forced to choose the more expensive Zetec model (itself a 1,000 euro option), but after doing that, getting an extra 15 HP is just 300 euros. We recommend doing this because the extra power means the Ka+ takes 13.6 seconds to go from 0-100 km/h; by no means an impressive time, but significantly faster than the base model. Whichever variant you choose, the engine doesnt impress. The limited power and performance offered mean you have to work the engine quite hard, and its not so eager to rev or please you. Its a shame because if you can get past these limitations, the Ka+ is truly enjoyable to drive. Even when faced with bad asphalt, there are few underlying flaws with the Ka+s suspension, it remained smooth and comfortable all the time. Interior of a 2020 Ford Ka plus You sit upright in the Ford Ka+, in comfortable seats surrounded by plenty of glass and decent interior materials. Ford has deliberately ensured that four six-foot-tall adults can fit in the Ka+ without having to fold with their legs over their ears. The excellent suspension and strong visibility complete what is an impressively comfortable small car. Those seeking maximum travel comfort should opt for the Active model, as the extra suspension travel helps isolate the cabin from bumps and jolts. The Ka+ has a newer and nicer dashboard than the larger Fiesta or smaller Ka it replaces. Clear dials, good fit and finish, and reasonable material quality all help here, but the overall look is most impressive. It feels less busy and cluttered than its siblings, and although its somewhat in the direction of the minimalist design of the VW up!, its much improved over the older small ones. Ford Ka+ reliability The 1.2-liter petrol engine is larger and can be tested, as well as quite uncomplicated, so it should be robust enough over time. Ford ranked 13th out of 30 car manufacturers in the following period in which we satisfied a 2020 owners survey. Owners report or can be reliable (14.8% of vehicles suffering a major failure within 12 months) and can create quality issues from their cars, while operating costs are slightly positive.
2026