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When BMW introduced its first people-carrier 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.
Models covered
- • BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Mk1 (2014-date) - Premium MPV is a fine alternative to an SUV.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
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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-wheel-drive 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.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer reviews
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer in-depth review
BMW 218i Active Tourer review
BMW 220d Active Tourer review
BMW 225xe Active Tourer review
Which one should I buy?
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.
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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 seven-seat editions; the SE has 16-inch alloys, dual- zone 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 to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
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.
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What to look for
Transmission
A manual gearbox is standard on all variants except the 220i and xDrive models, which get an eight-speed auto.
Seating
Parents should note that, although there’s room for three children in the Gran Tourer’s middle row, the centre seat has no Isofix mountings.
Fuel tank
For just £40 extra, original buyers could specify a larger (by 10 litres) fuel tank. It’s worth finding a car with this option fitted if you can.
Third row
The Gran Tourer comes with seven seats, but the third row is suitable just for small children, and best thought of as occasional seats.
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Interior
This is a highlight, because all cars are well equipped, ergonomically sound and built to a high standard. It’s a brilliantly user-friendly cabin, and this can also be said of the iDrive infotainment system. The high roof gives plenty of headroom, while legroom is fine for rows one and two. Versatility is boosted by a middle row with a back rest that folds 20:40:20; the seat itself is a 60:40 sliding bench.
Prices
You can buy a nearly new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer for between £10,099 and £30,791 on our sister site BuyaCar.
Running costs
Gran Tourers emit 6-10g/km more CO2 than Active cars so can cost more to tax, yet fuel economy is similar.
Condition-based maintenance means up to two years and 18,000 miles between services. A minor service costs £182, intermediate £258, and major £406; discounts of around 25 per cent apply to cars over three years old. All engines are chain-driven, with no cambelts to replace.
Recalls
The 2 Series range as a whole has had 10 recalls, but only two affected the Tourer models. In January 2015 1,502 cars built between September 2014 and March 2015 were recalled for a driver’s seatbelt which could fail to unreel; a new mechanism fixed things. In August 2018, 4,025 Active/Gran Tourers built in May and June 2018 were recalled to replace faulty crankshaft sensors.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
While the Active Tourer hasn’t appeared in our new or used Driver Power surveys, BMW came 25th out of 30 manufacturers in our brand results, with high servicing costs being one gripe. Owner reviews on sister title Carbuyer.co.uk give the Active 3.6 out of five and rate the larger Gran at 3.9; among a number of five-star reports are tales of electronic and mechanical glitches.
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