The Rover 25 is a reworked 200 - and far better for the revisions.

Steer clear of the diesel, and you won't have any complaints about the engine. All the petrols respond willingly for their size and go easy on the juice. They can sound a little rowdy when you're going for it, though.

And you'll certainly do that, because the 25 handles well enough to make back roads fun. The ride is firm at town speeds, but the suspension works well once the car's going a bit quicker and it absorbs motorway creases well. The car's also nicely refined on a cruise.

However, with nothing else to concentrate on, you can't help but notice the cabin, which is bland and drab: it's a bad combination. Still, it's all laid out logically, and, fiddly stereo buttons apart, easy to use. The driving position isn't the best, though.

Inside, you get reasonable space for passengers, and the boot is family-shop friendly. However, getting at the back seats in the three-door is difficult.

What alternatives should I consider to a used Rover 25 hatchback?

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