Model tested: Rover 75 Tourer 2.0CDTi Connoisseur SE
Price: £22,995
Date tested: February 2009
Road tester: Richard Dredge

Overall rating: 78%
Because of its less able siblings, the 75's biggest problem was its image; potential buyers assumed it was outclassed by rivals. Nothing could be further from the truth though, as the car could compete on equal terms with some prestigious adversaries.

1 Looks
You'll either love or hate the Rover's exterior design; few people fall in between. Early cars were unashamedly retro with their twin circular headlamps, lost when in a 2004 facelift; the Tourer is better proportioned than the saloon.
6/10

2 Looks inside
Earlier 75s were shamelessly retro in their interior design; the facelifted car features a more low-key cabin. More importantly, all 75s feature an interior that's solidly screwed together and feels very durable.
7/10

3 Practicality
The focus is on form rather than function, so while the Tourer looks good, it isn't as capacious as it should be. With the rear seats up there's just 400 litres of load bay capacity; tip the seats forward and this rises to just 1222 litres.
7/10

4 Ride and Handling
This is where the 75 excels, because although the handling is tidy, the ride comfort is something special. It's not just when pottering about that the 75 delivers though; press on and it can cope with whatever you throw at it, within reason.
10/10

5 Performance
The BMW-sourced 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine provides the perfect balance between performance and economy. Smooth, refined and frugal, the engine is a peach, but things are let down by an over-generous kerb weight.
7/10

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6 Running costs
With these cars so cheap to buy, depreciation isn't much of an issue for the 75 owner any more, so it's servicing and fuel consumption which are the key factors. Maintenance costs vary according to the fuel type and cylinder count as well as the transmission type.
7/10

7 Reliability
Despite a reputation for fragility, the 75 is strong. The 1.8-litre petrol cars suffer from weak head gaskets, tyres wear unevenly through misaligned suspension, coil springs can break and cabins fill up with water when the plenum chambers block up.
8/10

8 Safety
The 75's four-star EuroNCAP rating puts it on a par with key rivals; if the optional side-mounted head airbags were standard, the 75 would have a five-star EuroNCAP score.
9/10

9 Equipment
Most 75s feature lots of standard equipment; even the entry-level Classic has air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows, an alarm and CD player. The Connoisseur adds powered windows all round, leather trim, alloy wheels and climate control.
9/10

10 X-Factor
The 75 is a cracker; it offers an all-round package that's hard to beat – and especially for the money. Comfortable, refined, well-built, well-equipped and generally reliable, the 75 offers more car for the cash than most of its rivals.
8/10