Rover 25 1.4-litre RANGE
As A Small Car With A Lot Of Class, Rovers Little 25 Has Much To Recommend It Particularly In 1.4-litre Form. Jonathan Crouch Reports
You won't find the word Roverness in the Oxford English dictionary but its much in use amongst executives of the British marque.
According to them, the term denotes class - and many customers appear to agree. The problem with the old 200 range was that they werent prepared to pay extra for it. The 200 would have been a strong rival for
Fiat Puntos and VW Polos: instead, it was priced against Escorts and Astras. With the latest 25, the 200s replacement, things have been put right. It still exudes class even more in fact than its predecessor. Yet you can buy one of the current facelifted models from as little as £8,795 in the 1.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
 |
| Value |
|
4-litre form examined here. Previously, Rovers entry-level 1.4-litre unit was an ancient eight-valve engine. Thankfully, thats been replaced with a 84PS 16v powerplant, used in entry-level 1.
4i variants. You can also specify it in the better-equipped Si, GLi and SEi models (from £8,995), but most buyers at this level will probably prefer the more powerful 103PS 16v K Series 1.4, an engine carried over from the old 200 range - this is offered in Si,GSi, SEi and SXi form (from £9,995). As before, theres the choice of either three or five doors, the more versatile bodystyle offered at a premium of around £600.
"There's now a real confidence about Rovers supermini..."
The latest round of styling changes have done much to modernise the 25s appearance. The headlamps have been revised to offer a more integrated family look and feature twin halogen lamps behind a clear glass lens thats slightly
BMW in its execution. The front bumper and grille have also been revised and moving around the car youll then pick out the body coloured side rubbing strips and alloy wheel designs before getting to the back where the changes are rather more obvious. The bumper has been revised to take a lower mounting for the number plate.
This frees up the tailgate so that it now features bold
ROVER lettering in chrome and a 25 badge. The interior has been spruced up a little as well. The fascia design now includes four circular air vents finished in chrome. A wood fascia insert is also available in a range of finishes burr walnut for the Rover traditionalists, and for customers after something a little more contemporary, light oak and dark oak finishes are also offered.
Ash or Light Smokestone interior colour choices are offered while the centre console can be specified in either Light Oak, Black Oak or Walnut. This console now includes additional storage space under the stereo and theres even a pair of cup holders. The locking and alarm system has been thoroughly overhauled so that the 25 now features a remotely operable boot release and a master-locking switch. A rolling code on the plipper means that thieves cant grab your code and the 25 also incorporates a panic alarm, drive away locking to prevent carjacking and auto relocking after 30 seconds should you accidentally leave your vehicle unlocked.
Mechanically, things are much as they were but Rover have made tweaks to a few key areas. Brake feel has been revised to offer more responsive feedback. A lower positioned clutch pedal helps ergonomics and the throttle pedal has been altered. The steering geometry has been revised for a more direct feel and new bushes for the rear suspension again offer better driver feedback.
The 25 is a supermini. Not that you'd know that from lifting the tailgate. The 25's 10.7cuft with the split-folding rear seats up is class-leading, though access to the boot area is slightly hindered by a rather narrow opening. Not that it's such practical issues you'll remember after taking a test drive. Class and quality, as we suggested at the beginning, are what this car is about. On the road, rest to sixty in the 84PS 1.4-litre model occupies just 11.
8 seconds on the way to 105mph. More importantly, the little 25 feels good to drive. True performance after all, doesn't really have very much to do with speed. Rather, it's about two things; handling and ability. To put it another way, the dynamic response of the car when you apply the throttle and the manner in which it transmits the power onto the tarmac. In this 25, you feel that every inch of the engine's cubic capability is being used to its ultimate. As importantly, unlike many more performance-orientated small cars, you never feel that the car is in danger of being swamped by the power of its engine. Criticisms (if you discount the intentional diminutive size, which makes travelling four-up something of a friendly experience) are few. The driving position is rather high and boot space is, as you might imagine, at something of a premium.
Still, the class out-weighs the carping. All of which means useful residual values too, particularly as Rover now has a philosophy of avoiding constant-turnover rental-fleet sales. Thanks to Phoenix, this is now a company committed to producing fewer cars of higher quality. The 200 promised Roverness but its the 25 that has been finally priced to deliver it.
If youre spending your own money on a supermini, the current 25 is now a car you cant afford to ignore.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Rover 25 1.4-litre range
PRICES: [84PS] from £8,795 / [103PS] from £9,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 164 g/km
PERFORMANCE: [84PS] 0-60mph 11.8s / 0-60mph 105mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [84PS] (urban) 32.1mpg/ (extra urban) 53.1mpg / (combined) 42.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver's Airbag, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 3990/1690/1420mm
<< Back to Rover car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Rover Cars For Sale UK
