Ford Ka 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 3

John on the Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi – part 3

Although a nice-looking place, there are also some issues with the interior. It does look quite stylish and funky, with its white coated facings on the centre console and more than passable layout. And this Zetec has lots of toys like AirCon, Heated Screens, Power Steering, Electric Windows and  Power Mirrors. But it suffers from the same drawback as most Italian cars (remember its Fiat 500 DNA) – the long arms and short legs driving position. Couple that with what are unnecessarily hard seats (did the designer think it would be good for a bad back? I have a dodgy back and the seats played havoc.) and the KA is not all that pleasant a place to be for any distance.

It also suffers from a lack of room for your feet. I know, I have big size 11s, but I managed to catch my foot on the trim every time I changed gear. There is a space for your foot at the side of the clutch – but only if you were a Geisha in a previous life. But then I suppose the KA wasn’t designed for over-sized, middle aged men like me, but cute little 20-somethings instead.

But that’s the bad stuff out of the way. I just have to add that I don’t see the point of this diesel KA. Did Ford do it just because they could? Even they reckon only one in 25 KAs will be diesel, and given the extra cost and the marginal difference in economy I fail to see the point.

To drive around town it is actually quite fun. The diesel engine is punchy and pulls well, if a little rattly low down. But once you’re on the move it sound quite nice and makes the KA an easy car to zip around (but if you want to make decent progress you need to keep it between 2 & 4,000rpm). The suspension has been ‘Fordified’ but it still doesn’t feel as good as the rest of Ford’s range. It betrays its roots and really feels like a stiffer Fiat 500, but it handles well with very little understeer, making it fun on the twisty stuff too.

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Go directly to section:

1. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive
2. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 2
3. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 3
4. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 4
5. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 5 – Claire’s drive
6. Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive – part 6 – conclusion and quick tech specs

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