THE trend to offer bigger versions of established city cars has brought a new tranche of small cars to market.

We’ve seen bigger Minis with more doors and an expanded Fiat 500, to name a couple, and joining these grown-ups is the Ford Ka+.

Sitting between the three-door Ka and the Fiesta in Ford’s line-up, the Ka+ will make sense to those who are torn between the two models.

The humble Ka was so good at its job that Ford was reluctant to introduce something new that would genuinely move the game forward. However, with an increasing number of small cars finding favour with cash and space-conscious buyers, getting ahead of the game once again was the priority.

With the new family ‘look’ firmly established with the latest Mondeo and Fiesta, it was entirely predictable that Ford’s smallest offering would share the same edgy, racy and contemporary design. The same is true inside the Ka+ and its smaller sibling, with the overall ambience one that’s a million miles away from the initially cheap and cheerful interior of the original Ka.

Plush upholstery has been combined with high grade plastics to create cabin that’s more closely aligned with the Mondeo and Focus than some bargain basement runabout.

And it’s fair to say that it all works rather well. The combination of plush interior, sensibly placed switchgear and clear instruments all add considerable value to the ownership experience. The claim that you can get three adults in the back is a genuine one.

The tested Ka+ came with a 1.2-litre 85PS petrol engine matched to a smooth five-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Historically city cars have been associated with small capacity petrol units, and the Ka+’s 85PS motor proves more than adequate. A 70PS alternative is also offered, but the bigger engine is surely the one to choose.

The more powerful unit’s quiet character makes it ideal for urban motoring, while its economy and CO2 credentials should endear it to both private and company drivers.

Given this Ka’s more grown-up personality and size, you might be inclined to travel further in it. Overall the driving experience is an enjoyable one, with Ford demonstrating that despite the car’s more refined character it’s still possible to have some fun when behind the wheel.

Just like with the original rounded Ka, this Ka+ has been styled to attract attention and provoke discussion. You might view it as either a bigger Ka or a smaller Fiesta.

Like the Fiesta’s cabin, the Ka+ provides space for five passengers with class-leading front headroom and rear legroom, plus 21 stowage locations, within a sub-four metre total length. It certainly packs a lot into a modest space.

That new 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine with twin-independent variable camshaft timing offers responsive performance with 114 g/km CO2 emissions and 56.5 mpg fuel efficiency.

The Ka+ is slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29 millimetres taller, enabling a two-metre tall passenger to sit behind a similarly tall driver.

There’s also 270 litres of luggage space – enough to accommodate two large suitcases – plus 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

The Zetec version also comes with manual air-conditioning and Ford’s Sync voice-activated communications and entertainment system with AppLink that enables voice-activation of a range of smartphone apps.

All Ka+ models come with power front windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, electronic stability control with hill start assist and speed limiter.

When choosing the 85 PS model, customers can specify a range of optional features including electronic climate control, rear parking sensors, power rear windows and heated/power folding door mirrors and privacy glass.