MG Rover Streetwise

So far, it scores 10 out of 10 for effort. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the 25-based MG ZR has just replaced the Citroen Saxo VTR as Britain's top-selling hot hatch - helping to re-establish the MG brand as a credible choice for drivers aged under 30. Now it's time to do the same with Rover. But is the Streetwise - on sale this week - the car to do it? Clad in chunky protective plastic body mouldings and marketed as a budget alternative to leisure SUVs such as Toyota's RAV4 and Land Rover's Freelander, the Streetwise aims to put a bit of fun into Rover ownership.

To a degree, it works. The butch styling may be at odds with the 25's traditional reputation, but in profile the fat wheelarches, raised ride height and neat alloys look perfectly credible. The grey plastic snout isn't too bad, either, and it's only the rear which appears questionable, where the plastic mouldings give the car a very fussy appearance.

It's not bad to drive, though. Rover's 1.4-litre K Series engine may have been in business for 14 years, but it still gives impressive performance and economy, while strong brakes, a sporty exhaust note and tidy enough handling add further weight to the Streetwise's case.

But there are drawbacks. The unit becomes buzzy and frantic at motorway speeds, while at idle vibrations from the engine bay can be felt through the steering wheel. We're not big fans of the gearchange, either. Swapping cogs is effortless and slick enough, but the long lever has an awkward, oversized feel and doesn't fall easily to hand.

Inside, the front of the cabin is pretty much standard 25 fare, although it has been updated with alloy-effect trim. The door pockets are bigger and incorporate useful partitioned storage areas and integral cup-holders, but the driving environment is still ergonomically flawed. The seating position feels a touch too high and offset to the left, while the centre console rubs against your shin. Furthermore, some of the switchgear is very tacky and old-fashioned, and in places can trace its roots back to the Metro or first-generation 200-series.

But in the back, there's a completely redesigned layout. Instead of the flat rear bench offered in the 25, the Streetwise boasts a pair of separate sports seats with a large storage bin between them. As a result, the interior feels far more spacious than that of the 25, with better elbow and legroom. An optional five-seat arrangement is available for an extra cost of ΂£150, but this doesn't provide the same levels of comfort.

Overall, though, the Streetwise is a brave effort, and hints that Rovers of the future are set to get much cooler.