Ford Ka (2003-2008) Review

On the road

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The Ka has excellent all-round vision, and its short front and rear overhangs make parking and tight manoeuvring simple. The steering is light, yet remains communicative at high speeds, so you always feel directly connected to the wheels and chassis. Ford intended the Ka and Sportka to be entertaining for keen drivers but remain user-friendly, predictable and safe for novices (or those whose enthusiasm might outweigh their actual skills), and has been successful in achieving this. The only black mark is the gearbox in the Sportka: we found the low-ratio, short-throw 'box awkward and stiff at times, but we'll give it the benefit of the doubt as the car we tested was very low-mileage, and should loosen up with use. Like the old Fiesta, the Ka is one of the most amusing little cars around in terms of its handing and sheer fun factor - only the MINI is some way ahead. It might not be the quickest, even in 1.6 Sportka form, but you can use every little bit of power it has, with its adept, agile chassis, responsive, direct steering and excellent balance. You can tell that the Ka also shared its basic underpinnings with the excellent (but now sadly discontinued) Puma coupe, and that the Sportka's suspension is derived from that of the competent old Fiesta Zetec-S. Grip is good, and you'd have to misjudge things very badly to get it out of shape on a bend - both Ka and Sportka are set up to be safe and predictable, and to flatter the less experienced driver. The Sportka has a low-ratio, short-throw gearbox (derived from that of the Puma) which enables more rapid acceleration and hill-climbing, though both versions have well-spaced gears. The Sportka also has its exhaust intake and muffler tuned slightly for a more sporting sound, which adds to the general effect.

The Sportka is on the lukewarm side of hot hatch-dom, but sheer power and speed are only small parts of the story (see Fun To Drive category). Both models are nippy and responsive around town, quick to please and instantly amusing, and cruise easily at motorway speeds. The Sportka has a bit more power in hand for overtaking and progress up steep hills, though you do have to work it hard, and you will rarely get a chance to engage the higher-ratio gears away from the motorway; still, it will give a Citroen Saxo VTR, Fiat Punto Sporting or Vauxhall Corsa SXI a run for their money, though the MG ZR 105 and MINI One are both quicker and feel more like grown-up warm hatches.