BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 – 2021) Review

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is, in many ways, the least BMW-like car in the firm’s recent history. Far from the driver-focused saloons, coupes and SUVs that are its usual fare, this is a front-drive MPV squarely aimed at family buyers. That’s no bad thing as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is pleasingly practical, while also being much better to drive than most rivals. And as our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review will explain, efficient engines keep running costs reasonable, but some competitors are more versatile. 

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is another niche-filling model from the German manufacturer. Larger than a BMW 1 Series but not quite an estate car, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is BMW’s rival for the Mercedes B-Class and also the Volkswagen Golf SV. It marked some firsts for the brand when launched in 2014, with three-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive.

It still feels every bit a BMW though. It’s impressively built, comfortable and good to drive. The interior is smartly designed and uses top-quality materials. There are some sumptuous upholstery choices on offer, including cream leather, plus various designs for dashboard inlays, with wood or metal finishes depending on the trim level.

There’s a lot of technology too, including a large infotainment screen with navigation linked to BMW’s intuitive iDrive system. There’s room for five in the cabin, plus there is a large boot with an electronically operated tailgate as standard. Space might not be as generous as a Mercedes B-Class, but it’s still ample for most families.

The chassis and certain engines in the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are shared with the MINI range of the same period, which is no bad thing. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer successfully blends ride comfort with a good level of grip through corners. There is very little in the way of body roll and the controls are perfectly weighted, making driving easy yet enjoyable.

There’s a broad range of engines on offer using typical BMW naming, which has little to do with the engine capacity and more to do with its ‘rank’ in a hierarchy. Entry-level petrol and diesel engines are 1.5-litre three cylinder units shared with the MINI and they are fine for most – but motorway or rural drivers will benefit from the extra power and torque offered by the more powerful 218d diesel or 220i petrol.

As an alternative to a Volkswagen Golf SV or Mercedes B-Class, or more mainstream offerings such as the Citroen C4 Picasso or once big-selling Ford C-MAX, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer holds a lot of appeal. A premium badge coupled to plenty of space and good drive makes it a prime choice among MPVs.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is built with practicality in mind – so there is a lot of space in the cabin. The back row has room for two adults, or even three at a push.

Head and legroom is generous and the seats can slide and be reclined, although not individually as in a Citroen C4 Picasso.

Boot space is impressive at 468 litres and practicality is enhanced by an electronically operated tailgate, which comes as standard. Also standard are the electronic, one-touch switches for flipping forward the middle row of seats. This frees up a total of 1510 litres of luggage space, with a useful flat deck to aid with loading and unloading.

The driver’s seat is comfortable and the driver-oriented centre stack has easy-to-use minor controls. Good vision in every direction is another trait of the Active Tourer, thanks to its raised driving position and large glass area.

There are numerous smaller storage compartments, including a centre armrest with a docking port for mobile phones built in.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is impressively finished, with typical BMW build quality. The materials used are solid, and it feels well screwed together, with soft-touch materials on the dashboard, plus hard-wearing plastics lower down.

BMW has an array of upholstery and trim finishes, with various leather choices and a range of wood or metal dash inlays.

The only area that lets down an otherwise impressive cabin is the front console tray, which is covered in a cheap, flimsy plastic that is obviously the result of cost-cutting. 

BMW’s iDrive system is standard in every BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and it’s worked through a 6.5-inch screen. Once you get to grips with the rotary-dial control set-up, it becomes second nature and is easy to use on the go.

The iDrive could be upgraded with a larger screen and a navigation system that was impressive for the time. Other options included a reversing camera displayed via the infotainment screen.

Starting point for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is £8000 for a 216d or 218i in SE spec with average miles for an early example.

This will have plenty of life left in it and be in good shape, or you could spend around £14,000 for a 2018 car in Sport or Luxury trim with around 50,000 miles.

A late version of this BMW MPV in 220i or 220d form and in one of the higher trim levels will require an outlay of up to £21,000.

You shouldn’t have to worry about city-wide low emission zones with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, as its diesel engines meet the Euro 6 standard, although it’s always a good idea to check before you travel into a new town centre.

The diesel engines emit between 99 and 139g/km depending on whether you choose the 216d, 218d or 220d. They also return a combined economy of up to 74.3mpg (claimed at the time of launch), so fuelling the BMW is not onerous.

Petrol engines offer up to 57.6mpg coupled to as little as 115g/km carbon dioxide emissions, so again it won’t break the bank to put fuel in or pay road tax.

Servicing varies on mileage depending on use, but reckon on a yearly service or every 12,000 miles. Insurance is reasonable as the Active Tourer falls into groups 12 to 24.

The manual gearbox of the BMW isn’t quite as slick as that in a Volkswagen Golf SV, with a little notchiness. But regardless of engine and gearbox, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer offers nicely weighted and accurate steering.

However, being front-wheel drive, there isn’t quite the same feeling of poise and balance as you’d get from a BMW 2 Series Coupe. The drive is still enjoyable, though.

Comfort impresses, too. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer soaks up speed bumps, potholes and damaged road surfaces with aplomb, especially at speed, yet body roll is kept in check unless the car is pushed particularly hard. Low-speed ride isn’t quite so serene, but it’s still very impressive.

The only thing that lets the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer down is noise. It isn’t at all bad, but the engines can be heard grumbling away under acceleration – particularly the three-cylinder units. It’s a minor gripe however, doing little to detract from the appeal of an otherwise impressive car.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is offered with three petrol options and three diesels. There are 218i, 220i and 225i xDrive petrol variants along with 216d, 218d and 220d diesel models.

Even the entry-level 216d engine produces a healthy 116PS, along with a useful 270Nm of torque, plus it’s economical with official fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and emissions from 99g/km. It’s all the engine most buyers will need.

Similarly, the entry-level 218i petrol is perfectly capable of propelling the Active Tourer up to speed and it does a good job at a cruise too. Peak power is 136PS and peak torque is 220Nm, yet emissions are respectable at 115g/km and official economy is 57.6mpg.

Larger engine options offer more torque and power, with the top, all-wheel-drive 225i xDrive producing 231PS. Emissions, while fairly high at 148g/km, are respectable for such a powerful AWD model, as is economy at 44.1mpg. It also offers all-weather capability, although it is pricey. 

The sweet spot in the engine range is probably the 218d diesel. This produces a useful 150PS and 330Nm of torque, yet it remains economical, with an official figure of 68.9mpg and emissions of 109g/km.

That means it’s affordable to run, yet more than capable in any road situation. It’s especially good when paired to the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was among the first to include automatic emergency braking as standard across an entire model line-up. It’s fitted to all models, along with front, side and curtain airbags, ESC traction control and ABS anti-lock brakes.

There are twin Isofix child seat mounts in the two outer rear seats, and all models have rear parking sensors.

In Euro NCAP crash tests at the time of the car’s launch, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer scored a full five-star rating, although this has now expired as testing methods have been updated.

Even so, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a very safe place to carry your family.

All BMW 2 Series Active Tourers can pull an unbraked trailer with a weight of up to 750kg. With a braked trailer, that rises to 1300kg for the smaller-engined models and as much as 1600kg for the larger petrol and diesel motors. 

That makes them the best choices for anyone thinking of towing a caravan.

If you choose the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer SE model, you’ll get 16-inch alloy wheels, 6.5-inch colour iDrive display, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and electric front and rear windows as standard.

There’s also DAB radio, rear parking sensors, climate control, drive mode selection, keyless start, automatic wipers and automatic headlamps.

Upgrade to BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Sport trim and you enjoy Sport styling inside and out, plus sports seats and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Luxury trim adds specific interior and exterior styling and unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

With the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer M-Sport, you have M-Sport styling inside and out, plus 18-inch alloy wheels and M-Sport specific suspension, and a sports steering wheel.