The Ford Ka city car is being replaced in Britain by a more practical, five-door supermini called the Ka+. Orders have begun for this car and first UK deliveries will take place this October.
While previous Ka hatchback models have been sold as a three-door only, this new five-door Ka+ is significantly larger and almost as practical as a Ford Fiesta.
But it’s also noticeably cheaper than the current Fiesta, with pricing starting at just £8,995. That’s over a grand less than the Fiesta’s current starting price.
This price also means the Ka+ is cheaper than the starting price for the five-door Volkswagen Up and it’s only slightly more expensive than the Vauxhall Viva city car (which comes only with five doors).
Changes coming for European markets
While its pricing is similar to numerous city cars, the Ka+ is mainly targeting other budget five-door superminis like the Kia Rio and Dacia Sandero. The latter though is still a few grand cheaper than the Ka+ in its most basic form.
Since last year, the new Ford Ka+ has been built and sold in India, where it is marketed as the Ford Figo. However, the car will be heavily revised for European markets.
For instance, the ride height of European models will be lower, and components including steering and suspension will be changed to better suit European roads.
Trims and engines for Ka+
Here in Britain, the trim levels for the Ka+ will include Studio and Zetec. Studio is the entry-level trim, while the Zetec version will start from £9,995.
In either trim, the Ka+ will use a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with outputs of 69bhp and 84bhp available. Pricing for the 84bhp Ka+ starts at £10,295.
Standard equipment for the Ford Ka+ in Studio trim includes electric front windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors and MyFord Dock. The latter feature is a storage bin on top of the car’s dashboard which can be used to charge and mount smartphones, allowing drivers to use the phone’s navigation system while on the move.
Air conditioning is not standard for the Studio specification, but can be added via an option pack. Go for the Zetec trim and you get manual air conditioning as standard, plus more kit like Ford’s SYNC infotainment system that comes with a small colour display similar to that found in the current Fiesta.
Options available for the Ka+ Zetec includes cruise control, DAB radio, climate control, electric rear windows, heated seats and 15-inch alloy wheels.
