Ford Ka review
The Ford Ka is a fun-loving city car that’s cheap to run and surprisingly enjoyable to drive, making it a brilliant choice for new drivers or as a budget-friendly runaround.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
7th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
Some cars just have a certain charm, and the Ford Ka is definitely one of them. When the first one bounced onto the scene back in 1996, its curvy, bug-eyed look was unlike anything else on the road, and it quickly became a massive hit. It was fun, affordable, and had a cheeky personality that people loved. That spirit of fun and value has been at the heart of the Ka ever since. The second-generation model, which shared parts with the Fiat 500, kept the stylish looks and zippy driving feel. More recently, the car evolved into the Ka+, a more grown-up and practical five-door model that’s closer in size to a Fiesta. While it might have lost some of its quirky styling, the Ka+ gained a huge amount of space and versatility. Whichever version you choose, you’re getting a car that’s easy to drive, cheap to own, and packed with Ford’s trademark fun handling.
Pros
- Fun and engaging to drive, especially around town
- Very cheap to buy, run, and insure
- Earlier models have a unique and stylish design
Cons
- The newer Ka+ model has quite a bland design
- Interior space is limited, especially in older three-door models
- Engine choices are limited and can feel underpowered
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the Ford Ka is simple, functional, and built for a life in the city. The dashboard layout is straightforward and easy to get used to, with chunky, user-friendly controls. It’s a no-fuss environment that prioritises ease of use over flashy design.
In the later Ka+ models, you'll find more modern features. A clever touch on entry-level models is the ‘MyFord Dock’ on top of the dashboard. This is a simple but brilliant cradle that holds your smartphone securely, allowing you to use it for satellite navigation and music. Higher-spec Zetec models get Ford’s SYNC infotainment system with a small screen and Bluetooth connectivity.
Comfort
For a small city car, the Ka is surprisingly comfortable. The seats are supportive enough for daily driving, and the ride quality is one of the car’s biggest strengths. Ford is brilliant at tuning suspension, and the Ka does a great job of soaking up bumps and potholes, which is a real bonus on Britain’s less-than-perfect roads.
There’s plenty of room for the driver and front passenger, and the high roofline means headroom is good. It’s also a surprisingly refined car on the motorway, feeling more stable and quiet than many of its small-car rivals.
Quality
The interior of the Ka is built to be durable rather than luxurious. You’ll find lots of hard, scratchy plastics, which is common in cars at this price point. While it might not feel particularly plush, everything feels solid and well put together. It’s a cabin that feels ready to stand up to the knocks and scrapes of everyday life, from carrying shopping to surviving the school run.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
Practicality really depends on which generation of Ka you’re looking at. The first two generations were strictly three-door models, and while space in the front is fine, the rear seats are quite cramped and best reserved for children or occasional use by adults.
The later Ka+ model is a completely different story. It’s a five-door car that’s much closer in size to a Fiesta. This makes a huge difference, as getting into the back is much easier, and there’s enough legroom and headroom for adults to sit comfortably.
Boot space
The newer Ka+ is the practicality champion of the range. Its boot offers 270 litres of space, which is only a little less than you get in a Ford Fiesta. It’s a really useful size, big enough for the weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags. The rear seats also fold down in a 60/40 split if you need to carry larger items. In the older three-door models, the boot is much smaller and more suited to carrying a few shopping bags.
Versatility
The Ka+ is a surprisingly versatile little car. Its five-door layout and spacious interior make it a viable option for a small family, bridging the gap between a tiny city car and a more expensive supermini. The earlier Ka models are less versatile, being better suited to single people or couples who rarely need to use the back seats.
Driving
Driving experience
This is where all versions of the Ka shine. Ford has a knack for making mainstream cars that are genuinely fun to drive, and the Ka is a perfect example. The steering is light but direct, making it incredibly easy to nip through city traffic and into tight parking spaces.
On a twisty road, it feels agile and eager, with a well-balanced chassis that gives you plenty of confidence. It’s a car that feels playful and engaging, which is a rare treat in the city car class. The only thing that lets the side down slightly is the lack of engine power, which can feel a bit strained when you’re trying to get up to speed on a motorway.
Performance
Engine choice in the Ka has always been quite limited and focused on economy. The most recent Ka+ model came with just two options, both versions of the same 1.2-litre petrol engine, producing either 70bhp or 85bhp.
Both engines are fine for driving around town, but they have to be worked quite hard to get up to speed on faster roads. They are not designed for performance, with 0-60mph taking over 13 seconds. The focus here is very much on low running costs.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
The Ka is a very cheap car to own and run. The 1.2-litre petrol engines in the Ka+ can return around 56mpg, which is decent, though not class-leading. Some rivals like the Volkswagen Up are even more economical. CO2 emissions are also a little disappointing for a modern city car, which means road tax isn’t as cheap as it could be.
Value for money
Value is the Ka’s ace card. It was very competitively priced when new, and on the used market, it’s a real bargain. You can pick up a stylish and fun-to-drive city car for very little money. Because they were sold in high numbers, there’s plenty of choice out there. Insurance costs are also incredibly low, with the entry-level models sitting in the very cheapest insurance group, making it an ideal first car.
Reliability & Warranty
The Ford Ka has had a bit of a mixed reputation for reliability over the years, with some known issues on earlier models. However, the mechanical parts are simple and widely available, so repairs are generally inexpensive. From new, all Fords come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. As always, a full service history is key when buying a used example.
Safety
Safety features
This is one area where the Ka falls a little short of its rivals. The most recent Ka+ model was only awarded a three-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP. It scored well for protecting adult occupants but was marked down for its lack of modern safety assistance technology. It comes with six airbags and hill start assist as standard, but you won't find features like automatic emergency braking that are available on many competitors.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Ka+ was available in two simple trim levels.
- Studio: The entry-level model is quite basic. It comes with 15-inch steel wheels, electric front windows, Bluetooth, and the clever MyFord smartphone dock.
- Zetec: This is the one to go for. It adds much-needed features like 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Ford SYNC infotainment system with a 4.2-inch screen and DAB radio.
Engines
The engine choice in the Ka+ is very simple.
- 1.2-litre Ti-VCT Petrol (70bhp): The entry-level engine, best suited for town driving.
- 1.2-litre Ti-VCT Petrol (85bhp): Offers a bit more power, which makes driving on faster roads a little more relaxed. Both engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox.