Rover 25 SEi RANGE
Rover's Latest 25 Is Still One Of The Classiest Superminis You Can Buy and Makes A Lot Of Sense In Well Equipped SEi Guise, Thinks Jonathan Crouch
So, youve decided to buy a Rover 25. No doubt you were seduced by its combination of charm, equipment and value. Now its a case of choosing the right variant hardly a simple process when there are so many on offer.
Adding up all the specification tick boxes, you may well end up feeling that the mid-range SEi models represent the best value for your pound hence the need for the review we feature here. After all, it doesnt end there. Even after youve decided upon this trim level, there are still no fewer than five different engine options to select from, the option of manual or automatic transmission and a fuel choice between petrol, diesel. But first, back to specification.
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What would probably have attracted you to SEi level in the first place is the useful package of extra features that these variants enjoy over and above the reasonable specification already fitted to their humbler i and Si stablemates. All of the latest facelifted 25 models get central locking, power steering, a drivers airbag and ABS with EBD. The Si adds body-coloured electric door mirrors, electric windows, a height adjustable drivers
seat and a CD stereo. So the SEi romps home with all that plus 15" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, front fog lamps, a leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and a centre arm rest. Not a bad haul,
Rover think youll agree and its only bettered by the range-topping SXi models. Three-door SEi prices start at £10,595 for the 84PS petrol 1.4 SEi, or £11,395 for a more powerful 1.
4-litre model with 103PS. Go for the 5-door only 109PS 1.6-litre variant and you can expect to pay £12,795 and at this level, you can also opt for a Stepspeed CVT automatic model. In each case five door models come at a premium of around £600.
If youre considering a diesel, theres a £12,395 101PS model. And, if you really want to save money, theres an LPG option on 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol models.
" the mid-range SEi models represent the best value for your pound..."
Like all current Rover 25s, the SEi models feature a traffic congestion warning device built into the digital fascia clock. This uses signals from the Trafficmaster network to provide live traffic information, warning of congestion on motorways and trunk roads in three zones three motorway junctions or up to 5, 10 or 15 miles on trunk roads from the cars current position. A Becker Satellite Navigation unit is an optional extra and incorporates a high-spec CD tuner capable of playing music at the same time as guiding you to a destination anywhere in the UK or Europe. 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 while the front bumper and grille have also been altered. Moving around the car youll 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 and the centre 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 Continuously Variable (CVT) 'Stepspeed' automatic transmission system comes mated to 1.6-litre petrol power and is the same set-up pioneered on the MGF. Though unlike that car, there are no steering wheel buttons to allow you to flick up and down the 'box yourself, you can do so by flicking the gearlever back and forth. Alternatively, you can leave it in Drive, just like a conventional auto. Interior space isnt huge: to travel five-up, you'd need to be pretty friendly with your companions. Still, this 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 close to 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. A classy package then, which in plush SEi form makes plenty of sense if youre looking for a high value Supermini thats easy to live with. It may not be at the cutting edge of technology but the facelift has created a more modern look and it's the kind of family car you'd be proud to have on your driveway. At the end of the day, if you're spending your own money, that's surely what counts.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Rover 25 SEi range
PRICES: £10,595-£12,945 on the road
CO2 EMISSIONS: 150-164g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.4 84PS] 0-60mph 11.8s / 0-60mph 105mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4 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/Height" 156/66/56"
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