Rover 400 XW 416 GSI (111 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.1 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.5 / 5
Value 3.5 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Rover 400:

The Rover 400 Series, and later the Rover 45, are a series of small family cars that were produced by the British manufacturer Rover from 1990 to 2005. The cars were co-developed as part of Rover's collaboration with Honda. The first-generation 400 was based on the Honda Concerto, and the Mark II 400 was based on the Honda Domani/Civic.
Honda petrol engines were used in some Rover models, while the market competitive Rover L-series diesel engine was used from the mid-1990s in Hondas, before they designed their own diesel engine....(Read more on Wikipedia)

XW Overview:

Rover 400 (XW). With 137 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~9.8 l/100km). Weighing only 1075 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 9.5 s). The top speed reaches 190 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Rover 400 (XW) generation was produced before Euro NCAP testing began in 1997, so no official safety rating is available. Safety features were typical for its era, including basic crumple zones and optional ABS on higher trims.

416 GSI (111 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

A competent and smooth performer for daily driving, offering adequate power for most situations. The 9.5 sec 0-100 km/h is respectable for its class.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption of 9 l/100 km is average for a 1.6L petrol engine of this period, not particularly frugal but acceptable.

Best Use Case: Mixed city and highway driving, daily commute.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Honda-derived platform offered good handling and reliability for many components.
  • • Comfortable ride quality for its class.
  • • Wide range of engines, from economical diesels to the potent 420 Turbo.
  • • Relatively spacious interior and boot for a compact saloon.
  • • Distinctive British styling with a more premium feel than some rivals.

Cons:

  • • Some Rover-specific components could be prone to issues (e.g., head gaskets on K-series, though not the primary engines here).
  • • Interior plastics and build quality could feel dated compared to later models.
  • • Lack of modern safety features (no Euro NCAP rating).
  • • Resale value depreciated quickly compared to German rivals.
  • • Older diesel engines were quite noisy and unrefined.

Specifications:

General:
Brand:Rover
Model:400
Generation:XW
Modification (Engine):416 GSI (111 Hp)
Start of production:1990
End of production:1995
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:111 Hp @ 6300 rpm.
Power per litre:69.8 Hp/l
Torque:137 Nm @ 5200 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:K16
Engine displacement:1590
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:4
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:DOHC
Engine oil capacity:3.5 l
Coolant:5.5 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:75 mm mm
Piston Stroke:90 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.1:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:9.8 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:7 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:9 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:9.5 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:9.5 sec
Maximum speed:190 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:9.7 kg/Hp, 103.3 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7.8 kg/Nm, 127.4 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:9 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1075
Max. weight:1550
Max load:475
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:410 l
Fuel tank capacity:55 l
Size:
Length:4370 mm mm
Width:1680 mm mm
Height:1400 mm mm
Wheelbase:2550 mm mm
Front track:1475 mm
Rear (Back) track:1470 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc
Rear brakesDisc
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size175/65 R14
Front suspensionWishbone
Rear suspensionCoil spring

If you could change one thing about the Rover 400, what would it be?