IT DOES not seem all that long ago that Rover was such a prestigious car that the rich and famous would not be seen in anything else. Sadly, for the UK car manufacturer, times have changed. Today Mercs, BMWs and Audis hog the luxury market, with Volkswagen joining the fray in recent weeks.

Rover's recent flirtation with BMW a couple of years ago did little to improve its image. In fact the prestigious German manufacturer can be accused of dumbing-down the once-hallowed British marque.

But with Rover once more looking after its own affairs (marriage with BMW didn't last) the future is beginning to look more hopeful, although there is much ground to make up.

Which is a shame, because the Rover 75, the luxury saloon and estate, deserves greater recognition. The same can't be said of the 25 or the 45, both out of the running in the smaller family car market.

But the 75 is a different kettle of fish. It has retained the luxury feel that its predecessors of yesteryear laid down for its owners, and it has moved with the times.

It is still quite a big car, although nowhere near as heavy, and offers plenty of ride performance and comfort.

It comes with automatic air conditioning, driver, passenger side and front airbags, electric front and back windows, powered and heated door mirrors, front fog lamps, height adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, leather steering wheel, remote central door locking and perimetric alarm, and alloy wheels.

But such refinements need not stop there. The test car also carried an interior intruder alarm, monogrammed paintwork, CD autochanger, projector headlamps, power operated sunroof and side head impact protection ... which added together increased the car's on-the-road price of £20,680 by another £2,800.

The test car was powered by Rover's K-Series 1796cc, 16-valve 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with multi-point injection, just one of six variations available, topped by a 2.0-litre producing 131PS. The five-speed manual gearbox is pretty nifty, slick and smooth to use.

There is plenty to admire about the 75 when it comes to interior comfort. The Club SE specification for the test estate was impressive. A good looking dashboard with round and oval information dials, a touch of class with wood veneer, and a smart sandstone coloured seat trim.

Seating is comfortable, firm with plenty of back support. The rear seat can also be folded opening up acres of extra carrying space. There are also door bins, pockets and a roomy glovebox. For extra security, there stowage space under the luggage floor.

When it comes to folding the back seats this can be done one-handed, and the seat belts are specially positioned to avoid getting tangled during the operation. The car's back doors have been designed with longer windows, improving the outlook for rear-seat passengers.

There are several other pleasing touches. For instance the tailgate top window is hinged providing an opening for smaller items to be loaded, while the tailgate itself has good handgrips. There is also a roller blind loadspace cover, and a restraining net can be fitted if wanted. Lashing points are handily placed in each corner of the loadspace to secure any awkward-shaped packages. There is also a special compartment in the tailgate which houses a warning triangle for use if the event of a breakdown, a legal necessity abroad.

The driver can be fed with plenty of information by the car's electronic network, including service reminders, fuel economy guidance and wonder of wonders a special rainfall measure which automatically measures the raindrops on the windscreen and adjusts the wiper rate. Even the heated rear windscreen switches itself on at certain temperatures to avoid misting. There is a navigation system, too.

Window controls are handily placed in the door, while the air conditioning has separate controls for both driver and passenger.

Safety measures include special high strength steels in the body to protect again side impact, airbags front and side, reinforced footwells and seat pretensioners, while on the mechanical side there are anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and disc brakes all round.

Engine performance is quite surprising for such a large car: 150Ps at 5,500rpm, and torque of 215Nm at 2,100rpm, leading to 0-60mph in 9.5-seconds, and fuel economy figures of 25mpg at the urban rate, 46.3mpg out of town and 35.3 combined. The exhaust emission is rated at 193g/km, therefore on VED band D at £160.

If only the Rover 25 was as good, and this despite being the company's best seller. Despite its four cylinder 16-valve 1.4-litre engine producing 103PS at 6000rpm and 91lb/ft of torque at 4500rpm, it is a dull drive, although ride comfort is quite reasonable.

With an on-the-road price of £11,125, the 25 iL comes with standard features such as driver's airbag, split fold rear seats, electric glass sunroof, remote central door locking, electric door mirrors and front windows, body coloured door mirrors and audio controls on the steering wheel. Handily it has a traffic alert system. The test car was also fitted with passenger airbag, powered back windows, 12-spoke alloy wheels, part leather comfort pack, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and, ideal for York's cramped roads, rear parking sensors.

Updated: 12:26 Friday, July 11, 2003