BMW SERIES 2 ACTIVE TOURER. POWER YOUR EVERYDAY.
Channel: Old Money
Date: 2019-09-17

It’s fair to say that the MPV has suffered somewhat at the hands of the SUV. While the people-carrier was once the high-rise family wagon of choice, it seems these days most folk would rather go for something altogether tougher-looking.

So how do you make the MPV more appealing? If your answer is to make it sporty and plonk a premium badge on its conk, then the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer might very well tempt you out of your ‘faux by four’.

Unlike the larger 2 Series Gran Tourer, the Active Tourer variant is strictly a five-seater. A range of three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are available, including a plug-in hybrid model. There’s even the option of four-wheel drive if things regularly get slippery in your neck of the woods.

As for rivals, cheaper models go toe to toe with the likes of the Citroën C4 Spacetourer and Ford C-Max, while pricier variants lock horns with the Volkswagen Golf SV and Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

Over the next few pages, we’ll investigate what the 2 Series Active Tourer is like inside and on the road, plus which variants are best. Should you decide it’s the one for you, have a nose at our New Car Buying section for big savings on this car and hundreds of others.

Although 2.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines are available, we’ve only driven the 2.0-litre diesel engine in the 218d and 220d, plus the three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the 218i and 225xe plug-in hybrid.

The 218d is punchy enough once it gets going at around 1800rpm, but if you let the revs drop too low or hit a steep hill, you’ll have to change down a gear to maintain your speed. You can add an optional eight-speed automatic – one of the best autos in the class – that does a good job of disguising the engine’s shortage of low-down response.

Even with the auto 'box, you’ll still notice that the 218d isn’t fast, so you’ll occasionally need to work it hard for decent overtaking performance. Given that the 216d is significantly down on power and torque, we’d recommend test driving one with a few people on board to see if it’s gutsy enough for your needs.

The 220d is worth looking at if you value a sportier-feeling engine or if you regularly carry a full load of passengers and luggage. It certainly makes the 2 Series Active Tourer feel significantly faster and more flexible, although this is in part down to the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. Just remember that the 218d is usefully cheaper to buy and will be more than adequate for the majority of buyers – even those who do lots of motorway miles.

There’s plenty of adjustment to the driving position, so it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel, and all models have a central armrest. The standard manual adjustment is a bit awkward to use, though, because you have to lift or drop your body weight to alter the seat’s height.

Sports seats, which bring better lateral support, are optional on entry-level SE trim; it’s worth paying extra for them because they come with variable side support and (manually) extendable thigh support. Adjustable lumbar support is an additional optional extra, as is electric adjustment with memory. Stepping up to Sport trim brings these improved front seats as standard. Our only complaint is that these sports seats have a long base, even with the thigh support pushed all the way in. This can make them a little uncomfortable for shorter-legged individuals.

BMW has kept the dashboard layout simple, with minimal yet clear buttons for the audio shortcuts and easy-to-use rotary dials for the climate control. Most functions are controlled through BMW’s excellent iDrive system, which is navigated via the standard high-set colour screen and large rotary controller, making for an intuitive interface. The Tech Pack is an expensive option available across the range, but does include a head-up display, which beams the car’s speed and a variety of other information that you can select onto a glass panel directly in the driver’s line of sight.

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