BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
What to look out for on second-hand MPV
Richard Dredge
WHEN BMW introduced its first peoplecarrier in 2014, it raised a few eyebrows. At a time when most makers were moving away from MPVs and building in-demand SUVs, BMW, which had an array of SUVs already in its portfolio, launched a people-carrier in five (2 Series Active Tourer) and seven-seat (2 Series Gran Tourer) formats, and both cars have proved winners in the showroom.
One of the reasons is the spacious and versatile interior, achieved partly thanks to the use of front-wheel drive. This was the first BMW to have its power going only to the front wheels, yet it seems that not many buyers noticed or cared about this; but then there’s plenty more to like about the 2 Series Active and Gran Tourer than the drivetrain.
History
UK orders opened for the 2 Series Active Tourer in May 2014, and deliveries began in September. At first only 218i petrol and 218d diesel engines were available, but by November there were also the 220i, 216d and 220d, as well as the four-wheeldrive 225i xDrive and 220d xDrive. At the same time, M Sport trim was added to sit alongside the SE, Sport and Luxury models.
The Gran Tourer that arrived in June 2015 came with seven seats and was 21cm longer than the Active; it was offered in 218i, 220i, 216d, 218d and 220d guises. From April 2016 the plug-in hybrid 225xe Active Tourer became available, powered by a 1.5-litre 135bhp three-cylinder petrol engine with an 87bhp electric motor – although this powertrain was not fitted to the Gran Tourer.
Which one?
ACTIVE Tourers are cheaper and more plentiful than Gran Tourers, and while the latter offers significantly more carrying capacity, it’s only usable as a seven-seater if you’re putting children in the third row.
The four-cylinder engines are noticeably perkier than the three-cylinder units, but the latter do the job perfectly well. Equipment levels are identical between five and sevenseat editions; the SE has 16-inch alloys, dualzone climate control, an electric tailgate, nav, a DAB radio and rear parking sensors.
Sport spec features 17-inch wheels, extra chrome, sports seats and upgraded cloth trim, while Luxury editions come with leather. The M Sport brings 18-inch alloys, leather trim, ambient lighting and a black headlining, plus sports suspension and bodystyling.
Alternatives
PREMIUM brands have largely stayed away from MPVs, so if you want a posh badge you’ll generally have to buy an SUV or estate. One exception is the Mercedes B-Class, which comes in five-seat form only.
You could also consider a Volkswagen Golf SV, which is more of a high-roofed Golf. If seven seats are key you could consider a
VW Touran, which has efficient engines and is very user-friendly, but it’s a bit dull to drive and look at. Offering a bit more flair are the Renault Scenic and Citroen C4 Picasso, which are both available in seven-seat Grand forms, and it’s also worth having a look at the Ford C-Max, which is another five-seater that comes in seven-seat Grand form.
Verdict
THE 2 Series Active Tourer is just 2cm longer than a 1 Series hatchback, but thanks to its higher roofline it’s much more practical. As well as being able to seat seven, the Gran Tourer can carry up to 1,820 litres, which is almost on a par with the big estates such as the Skoda Superb and Mercedes E-Class.
Even better, despite their fairly low profile, these cars are plentiful; we found almost 1,500 for sale, 40 per cent of which were seven-seaters. With petrol, diesel and plugin hybrid variants, some with four-wheel drive, there’s an Active or Gran Tourer for all tastes. As efficient and user-friendly MPVs, these BMWs are brilliant alternatives to the SUVs that proliferate the market today.