The Ford Ka+ Active takes a fun and affordable small car and gives it a neat SUV makeover, but loses some of its fun and affordability in the process.
Pros Raised driving position Smart SUV styling Good boot space
Cons Not terrific value Petrol engine a little rough Hard to get comfortable driving position
Pros Decent to drive Good value at lower end of the range Reasonably roomy for passengers
Cons Unappealing interior Small boot Gutless engines
Pros Sensibly priced, surprisingly spacious, not at all awful to drive
Cons None of the vim of the original car, none of the vim of a Fiat 500, none of the vim of a Mini
If you want a small car that’s well-equipped, relatively spacious and styled like a chunky SUV then the Renault Captur is in with a shout
Pros Cheap running costs Spacious for a small car Funky looks
Cons Noisy diesel engines Not much fun to drive No four-wheel-drive option
The updated Renault Captur is still a looker, and is cheaper to own and run than you might imagine. The flagship Zen is an interesting Hyundai Kona/Toyota C-HR/Mazda CX-3 rival.
Pros Looks great, brimming with character Agile urban dynamics None of your friends own one Cheaper to own/run than you'd think...
Cons No airbags for rear passengers Unsettled over sharp bumps EDC transmission less suitable than a torque-converter-style unit
Pros Spacious Well-equipped Good value
Cons Interior quality Gearbox Limited engine choice
