Ford plans to rock the small car scene later this year with its larger new KA+ model.

It joins the brand’s compact line- up alongside the Fiesta and has a starting price of £8,995.

A five-door hatchback with the promise of generous space for five people, the newcomer has an overall length of less than four metres, making it slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29mm taller.

And with a package that Ford says will provide class-leading front headroom and best-in-class legroom for rear passengers, it’s an appreciably more spacious vehicle than the Ka that made such an impact back in the 1990s.

Not only does it look different to KA models of the past, it’s also more practical with 270 litres of luggage space – enough for two large suitcases – plus 60/40 split-folding rear seats and 21 cabin stowage spots.

The latter includes a MyFord Dock for storing and charging mobile devices and front door bins that can each hold a 1.0-litre bottle, a 0.6-litre bottle and a small brolley.

There’s also a hidden stowage bin that’s only accessible when the driver’s door is open, allowing valuables to be kept out of sight.

Style-wise, all KA+ models come with chrome detailing on the front grille, bodycoloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors while the cabin dark charcoal colour scheme with chrome accents.

Beneath the bonnet is a new 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine with a choice of 70PS and 85PS power outputs and a fivespeed manual transmission is standard. Both engine options have a CO2 emissions