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The last version of the Ford KA+, sold between 2018 and early 2020, offered a crossover-themed 'Active' variant which offered a trendier take on citycar motoring. It aimed to appeal to people who wouldn't have considered the ordinary version - which of course was just the point. But does it make sense as a used buy?
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History
Need a really small used citycar with an added dose of attitude? If so, here's one you might like - the Ford KA+ Active, sold between 2018 and early 2020. Remember the original Ford KA? If you do, you might recall that though small and cheap, it had character by the bucket load. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the Polish-made second generation design - or the Indian-built KA+ model that replaced it in 2016. So Ford, in the Spring of 2018, moved to refresh the KA+ with a package of changes including the introduction of this 'SUV'-style KA+ 'Active' derivative.
The idea of Crossover styling being applied to a little runabout isn't a new one but until a few years ago, it was a concept we only saw applied to superminis, not cars like this one competing in the smaller citycar sector. In 2017 though, we suddenly saw a number of jacked-up little city sector hatches launched with roughty-tufty styling and a more characterful attitude to life, the Fiat Panda Cross quickly followed by the Suzuki Ignis, the Kia Picanto X-Line and the Vauxhall Viva Rocks. These were the cars this KA+ Active competed against: like them, it obviously never quite had what it took to be a fully-fledged small SUV.
For likely buyers, this won't matter one jot. People who would never have considered the KA+ in its unremarkable standard guise will be much happier with the car in this more extrovert form. They'll note that it offers class-leading standards of interior space and be keen to believe Ford when the company insists that this derivative's extra 23mm of ride height hasn't harmed this model's traditionally agile handling. This Active variant vanished from the price lists when the KA+ range was discontinued by Ford in early 2020.
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What you get
There's no doubt that this KA+ Active model will stand out a little more than the standard version on the school run. Does it have the visual character of earlier KA designs? Possibly not. But it's more fashionable and will probably appeal to a wider audience than anything else from this model line. This variant gets a unique black finish for its upper and lower front grilles, plus a silvered lower skid plate.
Inside, once you've stepped over the branded sill plates, you'll find yourself in a cabin that's been subtly tweaked over the one you'd get in a standard KA+. A 'Sienna Hazel'-coloured theme features in the seat fabric and the door trim inlays and there are all-weather rubber mats to protect the interior from muddy shoes and boots. This being a converted citycar, you won't be expecting a properly commanding SUV-style driving position - and, despite this lifestyle variant's 'Rough Road Suspension' package, you don't get it either. Mind you in our experience, a lot of small SUVs that are purpose-designed for the Crossover segment lack this too. Standard is a 6.5-inch 'SYNC 3' centre-dash infotainment screen which allows you to activate audio, 'phone or Mobile App options via either voice control or the touchscreen icons. You can't have navigation built into this package but you can stream a navigation app in from your 'phone thanks to this set-up's standard 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' compatibility.
Enough. Let's move to the area of this car that might really sell it to you - the back seat. This is where the above-average body length for the segment really pays off, providing for a wide door that makes this the easiest citycar in the class for rear passengers to get in and out of. And once inside? Well there's certainly not much to complain about for a model of this kind, unless you're irritated by the lack of things like grab handles, coat hooks and door pockets. We've certainly been in plenty of Fiesta-sized superminis from the next class up that feel more cramped than this KA+ model's cabin. That tall, glassy roofline certainly helps and there's enough legroom for two six-foot adults to sit behind two front-seated friends of similar size.
As for the boot, well an immediate irritation is the lack of any sort of tailgate handle but with this facelifted model, you do at least get a button to release the tailgate latch - you can also use the button on the ignition key or the one provided on the dash. Once the tailgate's raised, the 270-litre space revealed is the largest in the citycar class.
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What to look for
The KA+ is built from tough mechanicals and designed to withstand the rigours of third world markets but we did come across a few issues in our owner survey that you'll need to look out for. One owner had an electrical problem that disabled the mirrors, saw all the dash warning lights come on and rev the engine constantly at 2,000rpm; it turned out the air mass sensor had broken. Another owner complained of rattly trim, struggles to engage gear, a creaking exhaust and a reluctance to start. In another case, there were water leaks - into the boot and the passenger footwell; check these areas. In another case, there were idling problems, fuel pressure issues and squeaks from the rear. Apparently, the wheels are very susceptible to pothole damage, so check them carefully.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2018 KA+ Active 1.2 Ti-VCT - Ex Vat) An air filter costs around £18 and an oil filter costs around £8. Brake pads costs around £66 for a front set. A starter motor is around £140. Wiper blades cost in the £8 bracket. A wing mirror glass is in the £22-£24 bracket.
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On the road
At least the KA+ Active won't be burdened by unrealistic customer expectations when it comes to its SUV prowess. No one expects a citycar to be able to function properly off road - not even one dressed for a hiking trip, as is the case here. Still, a bit of extra ride height can get you a surprisingly long way and this variant was raised by 23mm over the standard model. That's actually 5mm more than the increase you get in Ford's only slightly larger Fiesta Active model, though this KA+ Active lacks that car's useful 'Slippery' driving mode.
It does though, get a wider track, a larger front anti-roll bar and uniquely tuned Electronic Power Assisted Steering, for optimised crossover handling. Retuned dampers feature a hydraulic rebound stopper for a smoother ride over harsh surfaces, and 'Active Rollover Prevention' works within the Electronic Stability Control system to offer additional security when carrying roof loads. As for engines, well most buyers will choose the three cylinder 1.2-litre Ti-VCT 85PS petrol unit, which makes rest to 62mph in 13.5s on the way to a maximum of 105mph. The minority-interest alternative is a 95PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel, which offers nearly twice as much pulling power (215Nm) and improves those stats to 11.4s and 111mph.
Whatever your engine choice, you'll find that the ride and handling is just as good as it ever was in this model. True, KA+ regulars might notice that this Active variant delivers a touch more body roll than you'd get with the ordinary version of this car, but it's nothing significant; certainly not enough to detract from the kind of handling poise that's a world away from what you'd get in a small SUV. Venture onto the highway and refinement is OK by class standards but not exemplary. The petrol engine has quite a coarse note and there's enough road and wind noise to make a really long trip a little wearing. Of course, this little Ford is much more at home within the city limits. We found it agile around town, easy to park and perfect for parents thanks to its spacious size. In short, it ticks a lot of boxes.
All of this is of course of much greater significance than what this car can do off road - which isn't very much. But we tried it around a field to find out anyway and found that, as advertised, those special hydraulic rebound stoppers do indeed smooth out the ride a bit over clumps and bumps. But on such terrain in this car, you'd always get the feeling of being a bit of a fish out of water. The 'Active' badging here doesn't designate any sort of SUV. Just a car a little more ready for the real world.
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Overall
Back at the turn of the century, there was no doubt that the beetle-browed little Ford KA was an inherently characterful car. In its standard forms, the later KA+ just wasn't, which is why this 'Active' version was pretty well received. It's not our job to tell you whether it's better looking or more interestingly styled than its direct segment rivals from this period. But we will say that the 'Active' package of visual changes made a world of difference to this car's showroom appeal.
And in summary? Well it's true that this Active variant may be more geared up for the perils of off street parking rather than off road expeditions, but that's really all potential buyers will care about. In today's SUV-obsessed used car market, it's a citycar of its time. And if you're shopping in this segment, we can see why you might want one.
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