Test drive Ford KA since 2008 hatchback

Kids

In the July issue, readers of the magazine have already met with inexpensive compact vehicles gradually gaining more and more popularity. Recall that then we were talking about Nissan Micra, Fiat Punto and Peugeot 106. Today we continue the conversation about representatives of the population of city babies ... This time, Suzuki Swift and Ford KA were in our vision. And although both of these cars have modest sizes and are equipped with an engine of the same volume of 1.3 liters, this is where their similarity ends, and the most fundamental differences begin.
Suzuki Swift
Aesthetics
I really do not want to turn to hackneyed stamps like Asian design, etc., especially since we know many interesting machines created by Asian stylists ... Unfortunately, Suzuki Swift does not belong to them. However, it is not entirely logical to demand an outstanding appearance from an inexpensive simple car. Yes, and it cannot be said that Suzuki Swift did not come out of his face ... no. Everything is very neat and quite modern. Just a little boring. 6 points.
General assessment of the design
The five -door hatchback, devoid of any extravagance, has an equivalent, a front -wheel drive, a transverse four -cylinder eight -valve engine, a manual five -speed brakes, and a drum in front of the drums ... In a word, no technical delights with any technical delights. Unless the front brake discs are ventilated, but this is difficult to attribute to the category of sensations. All used constructive solutions are simple, have long been worked out and tested by time, which, in theory, should guarantee high reliability and operational unpretentiousness of the car. Due to the injection of fuel (by the way, also a rather simple single -point) from 1.3 liters of the working volume, quite acceptable power is removed: 68 hp. For a machine with a length of 3.75 m and its own weight of less than 800 kg, this is enough for the eyes. True, 95th gasoline has to be refueled.
In general, you can’t call it a very modern design especially progressive, but it does not lag behind the requirements of time. Hard 7 points.
Suitability for Russian conditions
It is painful to search and add suitable shelters in the wheeled niches no longer the standard equipment provides for their installation in the arches of the front wheels to protect the coverage of body parts from the leading wheels of pebbles and sand. Also, the owner of Suzuki does not have a headache and the safety of gasoline in the tank, since the gas tank hatch is locked. Moreover, the same key with which the doors open and the ignition of the confusion is turned on. The reserve was sheltered under the floor in the trunk, which, with the well -known purity of domestic streets and roads, is probably the most practical place for her. Well, given the technical armament of the domestic car service, one cannot help but evaluate the fastening of the front wings with screws.
Looking ahead, we note the good energy intensity of the suspension. But more about this is a little lower, so far we state that Suzuki Swift has good inclinations to successfully take root in our conditions. So the little car deserved his 9 points honestly.
Comfort in the cabin
At external modesty and a rather moderate price of $ 12750 Suzuki Swift, it has a rather impressive set of equipment, designed to ease the road life in every possible way and, if possible, make the trip more pleasant. Of course, to the leather-dererial luxury of the Swift limousines is infinitely far away, but the car is distinguished by very neat plastic interior details and quite home-made velor upholstery. On a hot day, the air conditioning will take care of passengers. By the way, the air circulation can be closed inside the cabin, fleeing from suffocating exhausts in some traffic jam ... And although there is still a plastic plug in the place of the radio, it is not so difficult to install music.
In addition, SWIFT boasts an electric drive of mirrors, while electric windows in the front doors, a central lock and even a built -in immobilizer (!) Well, of course, everywhere in the front doors, the backs of the seats and even on the torpedo (right above the mess) are many all sorts of pockets for small things. If someone is not enough for someone for happiness, you should look at the option more expensive. For $ 14 thousand. In addition to all of the above, you will also get an automatic box and a power steering.
Given the class and cost, comfort in Suzuki Swift unconditionally pulls 8 points.
Ergonomics. Planting-casting
Of course, air conditioners and other things are pleasant, but the main thing in the car is still the comfort of driving. And here, whatever one may say, it all starts with the convenience of landing and control and, by the way, using these very things too.
So, we sit behind the wheel. The seats have a pair of traditional mechanical adjustments, and the longitudinal is characterized by simply a giant range. The position of the back is adjusted step. And although the steps could be smaller, a convenient position is selected quite quickly. The instrument shield is simple and informative to the driver all the necessary information. It is pleasant that the manufacturer did not save on a tachometer, as often happens on small cars. The location of the governing bodies and the driver’s place as a whole do not cause complaints.
The climate management scheme carries hereditary Asian features all regimes, starting from the distribution of flows to the speed of the fan, are selected using levers. However, many are familiar to many in domestic cars. Problems arose, oddly enough, when trying to open the windows for a long time did not want to look for the keys of the windows, which were discovered after some time ... on the cladding of the central tunnel, a little behind the front seats!? We did not find logic in this witty solution, since using the front lifts turned out to be more convenient for the rear passengers. However, this is perhaps the only major mistake. Well, except that the adjustment of external mirrors and the liquid crystalline display of the watch for some reason were still far from below on the beard are still located. But this is already a nit -picking, but the visibility from the place of the driver arranged without reservations.
Small dimensions of the car did not affect the space for the rear passengers too much, which was confirmed by a small experiment. Having set up a driver's seat for himself, one of us (height for 180) moved to a place located behind. The traditional inconvenience with the knees rested on the back of the chair was not found. There is enough space over your head, but the three of them are already a little crowded at the back of the back.
The trunk, as one would expect, fell victim, so to speak, the improvement of the rear passengers will not turn it on a big language. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to load the contents of a couple of carts from the supermarket there. Well, if there is a transportation of values, the back of the rear seat folds in parts, freeing the place of the luggage. The lug of the luggage compartment, by the way, can be shut off with a lever located next to the driver's seat.
In general, here everything turned out to be at a good average level of 7 points.
Safety
Suzuki Swift does not offer anything supernatural in terms of protection. If you have something to hope only for seat belts, which, by the way, are adjusted in height in front. It can, if desired, fasten each of the three possible passengers from behind.
The above, however, refers to the test version of the machine, the list of options also contains two air pillows, as well as the ABS package installed with them. As a result, the safety potential is not bad, but this equipment is only 6 points.
Dynamics and economy
The engine of Suzuki turned out to be quite reserved for the red tachometer zone begins at six and a half thousand revolutions, and the maximum power develops at exactly 6000 rpm. At the same time, the motor is quite burdened, which is not surprising with a two -valve scheme and a large course of the piston. So, even despite the decently stretched gearbox, the engine is very confident and without failure already pulls from a thousand revolutions. The peak of the moment occurs at about three and a half thousand revolutions, and somewhere at the same time (if you move calmly and measuredly) there is a desire to switch the transmission. With such a manner of driving, Suzuki Swift fits into the city stream without much stress.
Well, to go quickly, you only need to turn the engine more hard, switching to increased gears later. You can, of course, twist the motor and until it stops, but there is little pleasure and meaning in this, because after 4.5-5 thousand rpm, the vocal engine begins to act strongly on the nerves. Yes, and the pace of set of revolutions is not the same ...
In short, driving Suzuki Swift in a sports manner is too tiring. Still, the element of this machine is a leisurely moment riding, which really gives pleasure on a small Japanese.
An extra argument in favor of such an assessment is the nature of the brakes that, frankly, did not like it. Pressing on the pedal causes a light, as if reluctant slowing down, and only at the very end of its course the brakes seem to wake up and significantly grab it. At the same time, the pedal force grows strongly. Therefore, in order to get used to this and accurately dose slowdown, it takes time.
But fuel consumption figures declared by the company and, it seems, are true, on the contrary, look very attractive.
Considering that Swift is still not a sports car, but the possibilities for the city of this car are more than enough, we set up a government certificate of 7 points.
Shodal qualities
It is difficult to say whether the Eastern European origin played a role here (Suzuki Swift is produced at the factory in Hungary) or something else, but the character is quite tough and energy-intensive suspension, which has never given slack and did not work on a breakdown, for our roads it is close to it. Ideal. And at the same time, the suspension can not be called shaking or uncomfortable. Apparently, this is the same golden mean.
It looks worthy and comfortable, moderately sharp, with a good returning force steering, giving an exact feeling of a car. Unambiguous and well -predicted reactions of the machine to the actions of the steering wheel, giving the driver confidence,, coupled with the operation of the suspension, allow you to award Suzuki Swift 8 points.
Summary
What kind of picture is drawn in the end? A small but rather roomy car, simple in design and at the same time well equipped, adapted to local conditions, with a calm confident character and an attractive price. This is generally a portrait of a family car for the middle class, a kind of workhorse. What is not an option for those who are going to transfer from the domestic car to anything else?
Suzuki Swift 1.3 GLS
The number of places and doors 5/5
Engine volume, cm3 1298
Power, L.S. 68
at rpm 6000
Torque, NM 99
at rpm 3500
Compression degree and octane number of gasoline 9.5/95
The number of programs is 5
Tire size 155/70r13
Wheel base, mm 2265
The track of the wheels, mm:
front 1365
rear 1340
Length, mm 3745
Width, mm 1590
Height, mm 1350
Fuel tank volume, l 40
Equipped mass, kg 780
Maximum speed, km/h 165
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, from 13.0
Fuel consumption, l/100 km 4.7-6.5
Retail price, $ 12750
 
Ford KA
Aesthetics
It seems that any words are unnecessary before us a little masterpiece. In addition, the car became the founder of the new New Adge style, now professed by Ford designers. There is nothing more to add. 10 points!
General assessment of the design
Surprisingly, a very tiny (just 3.6 meters in length) a car with a three-door body weighs nearly 900 kg. Not so little in the present time, especially for a very fresh development. Perhaps the genealogy affects, because the Ford KA platform was taken from another Ford Little Little Science Fiesta. Accordingly, the Ford KA has a front -wheel drive, an independent front -line front suspension with a reptile stability stabilizer and the rear half -dependent on longitudinal levers. Brakes in front are disk, drum on the back. The power unit is a four -cylinder engine and a five -speed manual transverse. Everything is extremely simple and unpretentious.
But the engine itself is a bizarre mixture of modern technologies and obvious anachronisms. How do you like, for example, a combination of a standard valve drive and a multi -point injection? Most likely, on an old, long -worked motor, they simply attached a modern power system to ensure compliance with existing environmental requirements. Well, the scheme with two valves on the cylinder even has its advantages, especially noticeable on the engines of small kubatures, it is so easier to achieve a high torque at low speeds. Excess confirmation of this Ford KA engine. With moderate power of 60 hp. The maximum moment 105 Nm is developing already at two and a half thousand revolutions.
The technical level deserves an estimate of 6 points.
Suitability for Russian conditions
The smaller the car, the worse it is adapted to our specifics. With this axioma, nothing can be done just the case when the size matters. So buyers of kids deliberately compromise. But they can help them with purely constructive measures. On Ford KA, for example, shelters in the arches of the front wheels are already installed. The reserve, however, hangs from behind under the bottom, and we will not paint the picture of its replacement in the colors once again. What else? A locking cork on the neck of a gas tank? Not bad, of course, but in total there are not enough 6 points.
Comfort in the cabin
The car that came to our test was from the garage of the local representative office of Ford. Naturally, the service car was far from fully equipped. But almost all installed equipment is characterized by individuality. Only the clock is worth it ... just a masterpiece of design art! Although the most simple of the three possible, but also, nevertheless, shouts about its uniqueness, since, like the other two, it was designed specifically for Ford KA. And certainly no one else has such a funny glove compartment, a small box of intricate shape with two compartments is completely freely removed from its lodgent on a torpedo. The opening rear side windows, of course, cannot claim such exclusivity, but the extra opportunity to ventilate is still pleasant. Like, however, tinted glass.
Not too rich set of standard equipment is easy to supplement, since the list of options is quite extensive. We mention only air conditioning, CD changer (placed in the trunk), additional adjustment of the driver's seat in height, central castle, immobilizer, windows ...
Since the setting of the standard version is very modest, although it differs in originality, the assessment of only 7 points.
Ergonomics. Planting-casting
Designer twisted the diving information to the disappearingly small size on the shield remained only a speedometer and a indicator of fuel level. True, the shield itself was reliably protected from glare with a developed visor. Ford KA creators made a tape recorder even more, although this, however, did not affect the convenience of playing music. And thank God that the search for stylists did not affect the heating and ventilation system, because the three traditional rotating handles are still out of competition. But four round, turning in all directions of the deflector came in handy.
A pair of adjustments of the front seats provides a convenient landing. I would only like the longitudinal to be a little more for tall drivers to have problems. Otherwise, it is difficult to find fault with the convenience and location of the governing bodies. I really liked the small chubby two -spoke steering wheel and a convenient handle of the gear lever. What was injured (again at the hands of designers) is the sightseeing. The back right stand of the body overlaps the fair sector, and with maneuvers in the flow of cars you have to reinsure.
And how is it sitting there? Frankly, not too sweet. On the one hand, you seem to be placed there, and on the other, knees stick out on the sides of the back of the front chair. You won’t go far like that. However, Ford KA is not designed for this. By and large, the car is double. True, children are unlikely to complain about inconvenience from behind. And it’s ridiculous to demand something more from such a crumb.
The size of the trunk is purely symbolic, and in order to transport the suitcases, you will have to remove the back of the rear seat (folds in parts in a ratio of 50:50).
As a result, we did not find obvious mistakes in ergonomics and set 7 points.
Safety
Ford KA in standard equipment and there are not enough stars from the sky, active and passive safety is provided only by seat belts and protective beams in the doors. The next level of configuration already provides for a driver's pillow and adjustment of the front belts in height. Well, the passenger Air Bag, the headrests of the rear seats and ABS are listed in the list of additional equipment. So on this point, alas, only 6 points.
Dynamics
A converged row of gearboxes and a painful motor do their job, the Ford KA is quite cheerful. And while driving you immediately feel confidently as if you wrapped more than one thousand kilometers on this bug. Very convenient and expected car reactions to the driver’s actions make the driving calm and pleasant. The right moment of gear switching is felt intuitively and the desire to look at the absent tachometer has never arisen. I liked the clarity with which the mechanism of shifting the box, short moves of the lever, slight efforts and excellent information content work.
The rainbow picture is spoiled by the brakes. More precisely, their drive, because they themselves are very good for the car stands with a stake. The problem is that such stops are more often more often than you want: too light pedal completely deprives the feedback driver. Moreover, the effort on the brake trunk is almost invariably along the entire length of the course. But this is perhaps the only thing that will require addiction.
Reliable behavior of the car is quite worthy of an estimate of 8 points.
Shodal qualities
The suspension was a little puzzled. It’s not that she didn’t like it, just Ford KA was soft, which is not quite traditional for a small European machine. However, this positively affected comfort, and in corners the car is reliably retained from excessive rolls with a powerful reptile stabilizer. So there are generally no reasons for the nit-picking, and that’s all.
The horse of this form is controlled. Thanks to a sharp steering wheel with convenient reactions, the car obeys any driver's desire and behaves perfectly in any situation. And in the city stream feels like a fish in water. This is especially noticeable into the crowd traffic jams, where Ford KA confidently squeezes into any resulting gap. Here he can’t find competitors. So 9 points are a well -deserved result.
Summary
Of course, Ford KA is insanely far from mundane utilitarianism and therefore to evaluate it only from a practical point of view would be a mistake. After all, this car is designed not so much to move its owner from point A to point B, but to emphasize his personality and style. And the car copes with this task perfectly. We were convinced of this during the test of the attention of others. Probably so there should be a car for women. Or for young people? ..
Ford KA
The number of places and doors 4/2
Engine volume, cm3 1299
Power, L.S. 60
at about/min 5000
Torque, NM 105
at rpm 2500
Compression degree and octane number of gasoline 9.5/95
The number of programs is 5
Tire size 155/70r13
Wheel base, mm 2448
The track of the wheels, mm:
front 1395
rear 1411
Length, mm 3620
Width, mm 1631
Height, mm 1368
Radius of turn, m 4.93
Trunk volume, l 205
Fuel tank volume, l 42
Equipped mass, kg 871
Maximum speed, km/h 155
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, from 15.4
Fuel consumption, l/100 km 6.7
Retail price, $ 11500
 
In terms of consumer qualities, both cars scored almost equal number of points: Suzuki Swift 58, and Ford KA 59. In our opinion, they are quite worth the money that they ask for, and they will certainly find customers in their market sectors.
 
Alexander Stolyarov
Photo by Alexei Skirdov
 

Source: Cars