Ford Ka+ 1.2 85PS Zetec: Carmaker's Cheapest, Most Practical Hatchback To Date?

Sep 23, 2016 05:22 AM EDT | Julie Bedas

Ford's newest Ka+ 1.2 85PS Zetec might just the brand's cheapest and most practical car to date. Though it might now win any design competitions, if you want a quality dependable car on a budget, Ka+ is exactly what you need.

Ford's Ka first emerged in the nineties according to Autoexpress. But, soon the market forgot about it and a second generation was never revealed.

Jim Farley, CEO and Chairman of Ford Europe said, "replacing the Ka with the Ka+ as the B-car value segment is exploding." Ka+ was initially designed for the South American market with not much effort on the handling or the interior. However, Car Magazine reports that more "Fiesta" goodness will come in Ka+ with the brand's latest "One Ford" model.

Ka+ dimensions are close to the current Ford Fiesta - 40 mm shorter in length and 29 mm taller. It's a full five-seater with five-door practicality.

The Ka+'s price will start at $11,680. So for an affordable price, you'd get a really decent car with comfortable seats and more legroom inside thanks to its taller height. It's not a very stylish car, but Ford's target for the Ka+ are rapidly growing markets like India, where the model was built.

According to reviews, the Ka+ has a really effective soundproofing with impressive lack of wind and road noise while driving. Its engine is 1.2 litre petrol, in either 69bhp or 84bhp outputs. It's nor particularly fast nor slow, it runs mid-range and quite relaxing to drive.

You can choose between Ka+'s two trim levels: Studio starts at $11,680, and Zetec costs $1,300 more. The studio is equipped with door mirrors and electric front windows, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, hill start assist, a speeder limiter, a trip computer, an alarm and MyFord Dock, which clamps your phone to the dash.

The Zetec trim offers additional small car luxuries, including 15-inch alloy wheels, a DAB radio, aircon, cruise control, AppLink for improved connevtivity, SYNC system and MyKey system, which allows owners to put restrictions on a specific key. Parking sensors, heated front seats, automatic climate control and rear electric windows can also be added on the top trim level.

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

© 2024 Auto World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Get the Most Popular Autoworld Stories in a Weekly Newsletter

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics