The New Ford KA+ at Barlo Motors Thurles - Sales Manager’s review

This little city car should have the title, “Ireland’s most underrated vehicle”. Why, because it is just an absolute joy to drive and what a bargain when compared to other vehicles in this sector. The car is that good, I actually bought one for my wife, Ann, and she adores it. The vehicle that we purchased, was The KA+ Zetec model. This little car, comes with a raft of specification, such as, alloy wheels, air conditioning, reversing sensors, cruise control, electric mirrors and windows, Ford Sync, and Bluetooth to name a few. They come in a 5 door hatchback, and are genuinely one of the nicest Fords available to-day.

When people first conjure pictures in their mind of a KA+, they immediately think about that small wedge shaped car that sold well, but won no style awards. Now, the new KA+ is a very stylish shape with that tell-tale Ford grill at the front and sleek lines throughout, whilst maintaining easy access. When you look at direct competition from the like of Volkswagen, Suzuki or even Kia, the Ford KA+ stands head and shoulders above them, not just for the looks, not just for the specification, not just on good old fashioned value for money, but on all three points.

Now, to drive one. The Zetec KA+ comes with the Ford 1.2 Ti-VCT, 85PSpetrol engine and the first thing you notice, is just how quiet it is. Supplied with a 5 speed gearbox which is silky smooth and nippy when pushed, what we noticed while owning our KA+, was just how economical it is. Now my wife is no Michael Schumacher, but she likes to get there, but we reckon we are edging the 60MPG mark, most weeks. Coupled with road tax of only €180 and a low insurance group, the ownership costs of the KA+ are among the lowest out there. Driving the KA+, it simply does not feel like a small car, the steering is sharp and quite responsive, the car takes bends in its strides and will cruise happily at 120KPH on the motorway, without screaming for assistance. There is plenty of room for 3 adults in the rear and the boot at 270 litres, when the rear seats are up, is ample, we manage to get a weekly shop in there and more. 

Would I recommend a KA+? I would have to say that it is possibly the best small car that we have ever purchased. It looks great from any angle, drives great, cheap to run and a real value buy. One thing I would also like to take note of, when comparing to other cars in the compact sector, is the quality of the interior. The mouldings and plastics are of a grade that you would normally discover in a much more expensive vehicle and the black upholstered seats, well, they simply eat up the miles, so comfortable. The KA+ seems to deliver on every front, that big car feel, that comforting, safe interior that sleek exterior and maintaining it’s fantastic value for money price. Although the KA+ has only been on the market for a short time, residuals are projected to be class leading and will be a popular used car buy when they start to surface on the used car market. So, the answer is yes, I would personally recommend a KA+, if it’s good enough for my wife, and she has always been my hardest customer, then it is good enough for you. 

So, come down to Barlo Motors Thurles and let me show you just how good this little car is, but get those memories of that older wedge shaped car out of your mind, because the KA+ will just blow you away.

Thanks for taking the time to read a blog post by James McVicker, Sales manager at Barlo Motors, Thurles.