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.
It's cheap(ish) to buy, and as Rover owners tend to be loyal to the brand, second-hand values usually stay quite strong. However, most used buyers may well still prefer the 25, so residual (resale) values for the CityRover could well be poorer than for that model. Insurance groupings are quite low for a 1.4 - Solo and Sprite models in Group 4E, Select and Style in Group 5E. Fuel economy is a respectable 37.9mpg, and carbon dioxide emissions, determining tax banding, are not too bad at 167g/km. This may turn out to be the second-hand bargain of the century. Or maybe not. It's doubtful that there'll be any used CityRovers about in any great number, anyway. Lightly-used 25s and sportier MG ZRs will always look like better value. Well, it's cheap. But then so are many more modern, more stylish and better-equipped vehicles (see our 'alternatives' list, right). Once you add in power steering (£400) and ABS (£300), the bare minimum of extras, you've tipped the £7000 mark. We just can't see a decent argument for opting for this car. And if you're still determined to support the MG Rover cause, bear this in mind: dealers are so desperate to sell anything they can right now, we reckon they're open to offers on the 25, bringing decently-equipped versions down to CityRover-level prices. Aged it might be, with a cramped cabin and dark, gloomy interior finish, but the 25 still has far superior driving dynamics and is a much classier choice.
