Category: City Cars 
Price Range: No data available
Cheap, roomy, lively engine, your chance to support a struggling British company.
Citroen C2, Skoda Fabia, Fiat Panda... even the aged Ford Ka and Rover's own 25 are much nicer to drive, and feel more modern. And it's not even that cheap once you start adding essential "options" like power steering and ABS brakes.
MG Rover desperately needs a new small car. But not this one.
Plus points for the high driving position - something that many elderly or nervous drivers like. The CityRover manages to give a confidence-inspiring seat height and good all-round visibility without resorting to a van-like perched position, as in some budget mini-MPVs and city cars. It should prove easy to manoeuvre and park, and unlike many narrow, small but tall vehicles, it feels reasonably stable at motorway speeds. Minus points, however, for the large thin-rimmed steering wheel, which makes the otherwise obedient steering seem less direct, for the somewhat woolly brakes on the car we tested, and for that nasty gearshift action, not helped by the long, thin gearstick. The engine is willing, at least, and the suspension good enough to give some semblance of decent handling, but it's spoilt by the horrid feel from the steering and gearchange. The little tyres (on tiny wheels) grip onto the road alright, but the CityRover is really not an inspiring car to drive in any way whatsoever.
The Peugeot-sourced 1.4 engine is actually quite lively; it pulls away well from a standstill, has enough torque (pulling power) for overtaking and holds its own at motorway speeds. Shame it's so noisy and unrefined in the process, though, and that the gearshift is so vague and rubbery.
