Words by Marcus Boothby
Back in the early 2000s, the European car market was slightly different to how it is now. Most people were still buying conventional hatchbacks by the dozen, with some of the most popular models coming from the supermini segment meaning that the Ford Fiesta and the like were a very common sight. Sure, the Fiesta is still one of the most popular new cars in Europe, but over the past 5 years, more and more small crossovers have appeared on the scene with popular models in the form of the Nissan Juke, Volkswagen T-Cross and Peugeot 2008.
However, in the early 2000s, some manufactures started toying with the idea of raising some of their smallest offerings with more ride height, plastic cladding and even 4WD in some models. Big SUVs were very popular in the higher end of the market and the manufactures teased the waters with tougher versions of their superminis. Some of these offerings were either independent models or a top-level trim, as a more ‘active lifestyle’ alternative.
MG Rover’s stroke of genius
In order to enter a new market and appeal to a younger audience, the product team at MG Rover decided it would be a great idea to make the existing 25 supermini taller and more, mainstream by giving it the Streetwise treatment.
At the time, Rover was associated with an older audience, with most Rover’s being bought by pensioners only to go to the shop once a week and maybe go to the local bowls club to share gossip with their friends about how their neighbours were cutting the grass on an early Sunday morning. The kind of buyers liked their cars to be more ‘traditional’, with light colours on the interior and lots of wood to remind them of the good ol’ days.
Despite an attempt at modernisation in 1999 while MG Rover was still under the control of BMW, their cars were still fairly old school, while competitors offered far more compelling products to a mainstream audience. Thus, the Streetwise was created and went on sale in 2003 in what was at the time, a niche market long before the term compact crossover was coined.
Powertrain
All Streetwise models had a 10mm increase in ride height over a standard 25, but only offered with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive never being an option. Engine choices consisted of four petrol powered models, and one diesel, with the most common being the 1.4-litre petrol which came with either 83bhp or 102bhp. Other choices included a 1.6 petrol with 109bhp, a 1.8 petrol with 115bhp and the 2.0 turbodiesel which offered a mighty 100bhp but made up for it with a reasonable 177lb ft of torque.
Gearbox wise, the Streetwise was offered with a 5-speed manual on all models barring the 1.8-litre petrol which was only offered with a CVT automatic which, weirdly wasn’t the fastest model, despite having the most horsepower. If, for some reason you’re buying a Streetwise for performance, you’re best off finding a 1.6 petrol which offered a 0-60mph time of 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 118mph.
Design
Being based on the 25 supermini, a lot of visual characteristics were shared between both models, but with the Streetwise having unique plastic front and rear bumpers, with unique front indicators which differentiates it from the 25. Wheels were either 15-inch steelies or 16-inch alloy wheels being optional extras on some trim levels.
The Streetwise was also offered in 12 different exterior colours with some being very in your face, with our favourite being Trophy Yellow. For the interior, there was a part leather trim as standard which came in black, and three optional full leather interiors with either black, red or blue accents. It’s also worth noting that the Streetwise came with four individual seats as standard, with two up front, and two in back with a three seat rear bench being an option, making it a five seater.
A missed opportunity?
At the end of the day, the Streetwise didn’t save MG Rover, nor did it help broaden the appeal of the marque to a younger crowd as at the end of the day, it was too similar to your nan’s 25, despite all the cladding and ‘sporty’ interior bits.
Marketing it as a Rover didn’t make much sense looking at it now as it represents an MG more than a Rover to us. Even though it had more rugged styling on the outside, the interior looks like it was lifted out of the MG ZR, which was the sporty version of the 25. It should have been marketed as an MG from the very beginning.
Other than badging issues, MG Rover couldn’t have done much more with the Streetwise, as it was a cheap way of entering a new segment, while also creating a new model for the then dying company. At the end of the day, it was no more than a trim level for the 25. The Streetwise went to die with MG Rover in 2005 but, it did resurface in China in 2008 as the MG 3 SW, where it was later replaced by the current MG 3 in 2011.
Where can I buy one?
Well, if you really want a Streetwise that badly, your only option is to buy one second hand. At the time of writing, there are no Streetwise’s for sale on AutoTrader, and only four on eBay, with prices ranging from £600 to £3000. Your other alternative is going to Facebook Marketplace and hope there’s one near you for sale.
If you’re into weird small cars from the early 2000s, the Streetwise should be on your wish list.
Rivals
VW CrossPolo/Polo Dune, Fiat Panda 4x4, Citroen C3 XCR, Suzuki Ignis 4Grip.