Used Rover 45 Hatchback 1999 - 2005 review

What's the used Rover 45 like?

The Rover 45 replaced the Honda Civic-based 400 in 1999, but it was far from an all-new model. The headlights, front grille and bumpers were revised, but much of the bodywork remained the same, although the engines and interior were revamped.

Two models were launched, a four-door saloon and this more practical, family-friendly five-door hatch. The petrol engines have always enjoyed a good reputation for refinement and performance, and the gearboxes are good, too.

Overview

Apart from some engineering strengths, the Rover 45 doesn't stack up against its rivals

Pros

• Good range of reliable, well performing petrol engines and decent gearboxes

Cons

• Slipped well behind the class leaders long before production ended in 2005

Although Rover steadily improved the 45's ride and handling during its six-year life, it's fair to say the car was never at the top of the class. The sense of feel and driver involvement never matched that of the much more enjoyable Ford Focus.

The cabin has a decidedly old-fashioned feel, and the driving position is poor, while any tall adults confined to the rear seats simply won't have enough space.

Our recommendations

Which used Rover 45 should I buy?

Ignore the diesel versions, for a start. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is available in two states of tune, 100 and 110bhp, yet even the more powerful version fails to do the business. It's short of low-down punch and, perhaps more crucially, it's unrefined. If you want a quiet, civilised life, it's best avoided.

The 2.0-litre KV6 engine was well received and worked well with the Steptronic CVT automatic gearbox, but whether such a small car merited such a large engine is debateable.

Certainly we have always favoured the smallest and simplest, in the form of the 102bhp 1.4, although the 107bhp 1.6 and 115bhp 1.8 are impressive, too.

In April 2004, the 45's exterior was revised and the interior freshened up. There were further enhancements in 2005, and before the end came, final-spec GLI cars had alloy wheels and leather trim. It's worth sourcing a GSI if you can, because that also gets air-con.

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