Ford Ka 1.3 Zetec TDCi: On the Drive part 6 – Conclusion

Part 6 of our test of the Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi

Ford KA 1.3 Zetec On the Drive – Conclusion

Cars UK on the Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi – part 6 – Conclusion

The new Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi has caused a fair bit of head scratching at Cars UK Towers. And it would seem that the biggest problem has been the high expectations we have of Fords these days. The last Ford we had ‘On the Drive’ was the exceptionally good Ford Fiesta ECOnetic. The Fiesta is just such a great car in almost every way that we expected the Ford KA to be a smaller version of the Fiesta. But it’s not.

But it’s far from a bad car. And nor is the Fiat 500 on which it’s based. It’s just that it is a (understandable) compromise, foisted on Ford engineers by the bean-counters. And they have done a great job under the circumstances. It does feel like a Ford (just not Ford enough) and Ford has done a great job making it fit with the family feel (apart from the sides/doors).

Interestingly, it was John who found most to criticise. But then he is an old man with big feet. Hardly the typical Ford KA buyer. But Claire – a cute 20-something – found the KA much more appealing. And she probably fits the buyer demographic to perfection.

But both Claire and John disliked the driving position (something Ford could address to a fair degree by making the steering column adjustable for reach), but it was only John who complained about the hard seats (with his old-man bad back). Both found it a nippy and manoeuvrable City Car – fun to drive with good handling and decent economy. And from most angles it’s a very good looking car.

So although we don’t thinks the KA is up to Ford’s highest standards, we certainly wouldn’t condemn it as a bad buy. The UK is full of people who trust Ford as a quality mainstream car maker, and on the whole they wouldn’t be disappointed by the new Ford KA.

Just don’t buy one if you’re an old man with big feet and a bad back.

Ford KA 1.3 Zetec TDCi Quick Tech Specs

• Engine: 1248cc diesel – 75bhp
• Performance: 0-62mph 13.1 seconds / Top Speed 100mph
• Economy: 67.3 mpg  – Official / 58.9 mpg  – Test
• Emissions: 112g/km
• Price: £10,595  / Price as tested £11,665

Full Ford KA model range price, specifications and data

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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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