BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

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Editor’s view: BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Story: Ralph Morton | Posted 30 September 2014 

MPV, hatchback, Golf rival, B-Class rival – the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is all of these. And likely to be a big company car hit we reckon.

Why not?

The Active Tourer is another example of BMW filtering its brand into areas where the blue and white propeller badge can be more accessible to SME small fleets and their company car drivers.

Could the Volkswagen Golf be feeling the heat from the new BMW MPV?

It stands toe to toe with the VW Golf, if perhaps a little more expensive on P11D value. The Volkswagen Golf 5 Door 2.0 TDI Match 150PS has a P11D value of £22,650 while the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 218d SE has a P11D value of £24,150.

But the company car tax bands are identical (17%), the BMW is just marginally more expensive on benefit in kind company car tax (from £51 more than the Golf) and fuel consumption – at 68.9mpg – is identical on both cars.

So should VW be worried? Yes, is the answer, as should every other car maker in that family hatchback sector.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer might not be the most stylish BMW in the range, but it certainly delivers on all the areas that concern company car drivers from small businesses: low tax, low running costs, and a premium badge.

All that’s left to BMW now is to explain this newcomer clearly in what has become a complex and possibly over complicated car range.

BMW 218d Sport Active Tourer
BMW’s first front-drive car and first MPV, offering boot space similar to a 3-Series Tourer (468 litres), with the interior room of a 7-Series.
Why front-wheel drive you might ask? Well, the success of the MINI brand has made Munich think again about its previously rear-drive only policy.
However, the 2-Series Active Tourer has more in common with the MINI than just front drive. It shares the new UKL1 underpinnings and the choice of diesel and petrol engines too.
At launch there will be the choice of 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel from the MINI Cooper D, fitted in the 218d that we are reviewing here and the 218i with the 138bhp three-cylinder 1.5-ltr turbo petrol from the Cooper. 
Later this year, 220i, 216d, 220d and finally 220d xDrive four-wheel drive versions will be launched to take the fight to the key opposition in the form of the Mercedes B-Class.