An object lesson (Ford Ka in general)

Member Name: AR156

Product:	Ford Ka in general
Date:	08/02/01 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Top notch handling, steering. Funky

Disadvantages: Engine can be gruff. Not to all tastes

Ford have made a quite staggering leap forward in the quality of their products over the last 7 or 8 years. They have successfully gone from producing vehicles that epitomised conservative mediocrity to making cars that are individual, innovative and dynamically superb.
If one car embodies this transitition more than any other, then it is the radical KA.
Not only is it impossibly funky in a love it or hate way but it has the kind of chassis dynamics that would shame bigger, sportier and more expensive cars.
A wheel in each corner layout gives the KA a wonderfully crisp accurate turn in and there is barely any roll. This, coupled with meaty well weighted steering, means that the littele Ford is an absolute hoot to throw along your favourite stretch of twisty road.
But the real ace with this car is that despite such fine, sports car like handling it has a truly excellent ride and boasts the best high speed stability of any car I've driven.
If the KA has a dynamic weak point, then it is the engine which although torquey,is gruff at high revs. I share a common opinion that the 1.25 Yamaha unit would be much better suited to the nature of the car.
Aside from being fine to drive, the KA is also a good place to be sat in. The interior is very airy and for front passengers at least very spacious. There is tons of headroom although if you're a sixfooter such as myself, you may find yourself pushing the seat to the very back of its runners. Space only starts to get tight in the back which seats only two and the small boot. But then this is only a very small car.
The cabin architecture is just as stylish as the exterior and is fairly well put together. The standard equipment is also excellent with all but the base model having power steering, central locking and electric windows.
Overall the KA is an absolute cracker and hopefully Ford will give us more like this.

Summary: