Rover 200: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Rover 200 choice depends chiefly on whether you want the light, straightforward Sedan of the 1 generation, the broad performance range and Cabrio body of the 2 generation, or the Mini 5-doors practicality and Diesel option of the 3 generation. Across the supplied data, every model uses FWD and a front, transverse Inline engine.
The Rover 200 choice depends chiefly on whether you want the light, straightforward Sedan of the 1 generation, the broad performance range and Cabrio body of the 2 generation, or the Mini 5-doors practicality and Diesel option of the 3 generation. Across the supplied data, every model uses FWD and a front, transverse Inline engine. The clearest enthusiast choice is the 2 generation 2.0 MT with 200 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and 240 km/h. For lower measured fuel consumption, the 3 generation 2.0 MT Diesel records 6 l/100 km in the city, 4 l/100 km on the highway, and 5.6 l/100 km combined. Buyers seeking the lowest kerb weight should examine the 3 generation 1.1 MT at 985 kg, while those wanting an Automatic must look to the earlier generations because the 3 generation data offers Manual and Variable transmissions only.
Rover 200 generations compared
The 1 generation, produced from 1984 to 1989, is a Sedan with 6 versions. Its engines cover 1275–1598 cc and 69–103 hp. Buyers can choose Manual or Automatic transmission, while every version has FWD, 160 mm of ground clearance, Independent, spring front suspension, and front Disc brakes. Performance, fuel-consumption, weight, tank, wheel-size, rear-suspension, and rear-brake figures are not measured in the supplied data.
The 2 generation, produced from 1989 to 1995, is a Cabrio with 24 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. This generation provides the widest documented transmission selection: Manual, Automatic, and Variable. Output ranges from 75 hp to 200 hp, while measured kerb weight ranges from 1010 kg to 1185 kg. Ground clearance is 150 mm. It is the generation to choose for the quickest measured acceleration and highest measured top speed.
The 3 generation, produced from 1995 to 2000, is a Mini 5-doors with 15 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. It offers Gasoline engines from 1113 to 1795 cc and Diesel engines of 1994 cc. Output ranges from 60 hp to 145 hp, and measured kerb weight spans 985–1210 kg. All listed versions have 120 mm ground clearance and a 50-litre tank. Compared with the 2 generation, it sacrifices 30 mm of clearance but introduces the only Diesel choices in the supplied data.
Rover 200 engine specs
Repeated version names are separated by generation and power because their specifications differ.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation 1.3 MT, 69 hp | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.3 AT, 69 hp | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.6 MT, 103 hp | 103 hp | 138 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.6 AT, 103 hp | 103 hp | 138 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.6 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 132 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.6 AT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 132 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.4 MT, 103 hp | 103 hp | 127 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT, 122 hp, 1995 stop | 122 hp | 140 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 CVT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 140 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT, 111 hp | 111 hp | 145 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT, 122 hp, 1994 stop | 122 hp | 140 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.8 MT, 145 hp | 145 hp | 174 Nm | 1795 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 2.0 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 180 Nm | 1994 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 2.0 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 237 Nm | 1994 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.4 MT, 75 hp | 75 hp | 117 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.4 MT, 103 hp, 1994 stop | 103 hp | 127 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT, 112 hp | 112 hp | 138 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 AT, 112 hp | 112 hp | 138 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 3 generation 2.0 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 170 Nm | 1994 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.1 MT, 60 hp, consumption not measured | 60 hp | 90 Nm | 1113 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.4 MT, 75 hp, first entry | 75 hp | 117 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.8 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 165 Nm | 1795 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 2.0 MT, 105 hp, 1210 kg | 105 hp | 210 Nm | 1994 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.6 CVT, 112 hp | 112 hp | 145 Nm | 1589 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.4 MT, 103 hp | 103 hp | 127 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.6 MT, 112 hp | 112 hp | 145 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.1 MT, 60 hp, consumption measured | 60 hp | 90 Nm | 1113 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.8 MT, 145 hp | 145 hp | 174 Nm | 1795 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 2.0 MT, 105 hp, 1135 kg | 105 hp | 210 Nm | 1994 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.4 MT, 75 hp, repeated entry | 75 hp | 117 Nm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
Power density clarifies what each engine delivers for its size. The 2 generation Turbo 2.0 MT produces about 100.3 hp per litre, compared with about 70.2 hp per litre for the naturally aspirated 2 generation 2.0 MT. Among the 3 generation engines, the 1.8 MT with 145 hp provides about 80.8 hp per litre, narrowly ahead of the 1.8 MT with 140 hp at about 78.0 hp per litre. The 1.4 MT with 103 hp produces about 73.8 hp per litre, whereas the 75 hp version produces about 53.7 hp per litre.
Rover 200 performance and mpg
The performance leader is the 2 generation 2.0 MT with 200 hp: 0–100 km/h takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is 240 km/h. It is 1.2 seconds quicker and 29 km/h faster than the 2 generation 1.8 MT with 145 hp, which records 7.8 seconds and 211 km/h. The 3 generation 1.8 MT with 145 hp reaches 100 km/h in 8 seconds and 205 km/h, making it 1 second quicker and 3 km/h faster than the 140 hp 1.8 MT.
For buyers comparing transmissions, the 2 generation 1.6 MT with 122 hp and the 1.6 CVT with 122 hp have the same 1590 cc engine output and 140 Nm. The Manual records 9.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 190 km/h; the Variable records 10.4 seconds and 185 km/h. The Manual is therefore 0.5 seconds quicker and 5 km/h faster. It also uses 10/5.8/7.3 l/100 km city/highway/combined, while the Variable uses 12.2/6.5/8.6 l/100 km. The Variable consumes 2.2 l/100 km more in the city, 0.7 more on the highway, and 1.3 more combined.
The 3 generation 1.6 CVT with 112 hp records 10.4 seconds, 185 km/h, and consumption of 11.3/5.8/7.8 l/100 km. The 1.6 MT with 112 hp records 9.9 seconds and 190 km/h, so it is 0.5 seconds quicker and 5 km/h faster; its fuel consumption is not measured.
The lowest measured combined consumption is 5.6 l/100 km for the 3 generation 2.0 MT Diesel entries with 6 l/100 km city and 4 l/100 km highway figures. The measured 3 generation 1.1 MT returns 8.4/5.7/6.4 l/100 km, and the other 1.1 MT has consumption not measured. All 1 generation acceleration, speed, and consumption figures are not measured.
Rover 200 dimensions, weight, and capacity
Exterior length and other body dimensions are not measured for any generation, and wheel sizes are also not measured. Ground clearance is the useful generational comparison: 160 mm for every 1 generation version, 150 mm for every detailed 2 generation version, and 120 mm for every detailed 3 generation version.
Among versions with measured weight, the 3 generation 1.1 MT is lightest at 985 kg. With 60 hp, it carries about 16.4 kg per hp. The 3 generation 1.8 MT with 145 hp weighs 1060 kg, or about 7.3 kg per hp. The 2 generation 2.0 MT with 200 hp weighs 1185 kg, or about 5.9 kg per hp—the strongest measured weight-to-power result in the data.
Gross weight in the 3 generation ranges from 1460 kg to 1620 kg. The 2 generation includes measured gross weights from 1550 kg to 1650 kg, although several versions have gross weight not measured. Kerb and gross weights for every 1 generation version are not measured.
The detailed 3 generation versions all have a 50-litre tank. Several 2 generation versions have a 55-litre tank, while tank capacity is not measured for the remaining 2 generation entries and every 1 generation version.
Which Rover 200 version should you buy?
Choose the 2 generation 2.0 MT with 200 hp if acceleration and top speed matter most. Its Turbo engine provides 60 hp and 57 Nm more than the naturally aspirated 2 generation 2.0 MT with 140 hp, while the measured kerb-weight increase is only 35 kg. Fuel consumption for both is not measured.
Choose the 3 generation 2.0 MT Diesel with 105 hp if measured economy and torque are the priorities. It supplies 210 Nm at 2000 rpm and returns 5.6 l/100 km combined. Compared with the 86 hp Diesel, it adds 19 hp and 40 Nm, although both are listed at 10.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 185 km/h. One 105 hp entry weighs 1210 kg and another weighs 1135 kg, so the exact specification should be checked by power and weight rather than version name alone.
Choose the 3 generation 1.8 MT with 145 hp for the best performance in the Mini 5-doors generation. At 1060 kg, it is 10 kg lighter than the 140 hp 1.8 MT, while offering 5 hp and 9 Nm more. Its 8-second acceleration time beats the 140 hp car by 1 second.
Choose the 3 generation 1.1 MT if low kerb weight and measured Gasoline economy matter more than speed. The measured-consumption entry weighs 985 kg and returns 6.4 l/100 km combined, but requires 16.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h and tops out at 155 km/h.
Choose the 2 generation 1.6 MT with 122 hp over the otherwise comparable 1.6 CVT when the supplied performance and economy numbers decide the purchase. The Manual is quicker, faster, and uses less fuel in every measured cycle. Choose the 1.6 CVT only when the Variable transmission itself is the priority.
Finally, choose a 1 generation version for its Sedan body, 160 mm clearance, or Automatic availability—not for a data-backed performance or economy advantage, because those measurements are absent. Within that generation, the 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT with 103 hp provide 34 hp and 36 Nm more than the 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT, while the 86 hp 1.6 alternatives sit between them. The decisive Automatic comparison is transmission count: the 1.3 AT has a 3-speed Automatic, while both 1.6 AT versions have a 4-speed Automatic.