Test Bmw 218d Xdrive Active Tourer

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| First Drive | Solen, Austria | BMW 2 Series Agile Tourer |

Key Facts

Model driven: BMW 218d SE Active Tourer
Pricing: �24,205 as tested (starts at �22,125)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body way: five-seat compact MPV
Rivals: Citroen Picasso, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Volkswagen Golf SV
CO_two emissions: 109g/km
Combined economy: 68.9mpg
Tiptop speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 8.nine seconds
Ability: 150hp at 4000rpm
Torque: 330Nm at 1750rpm

In the Metal:

The 2 Serial Active Tourer is a fleck of a diversion for the Bavarian firm that usually makes sports saloons and SUVs. A sensible i, in every way, as the market place is certain to lap up a BMW-badged machine with a bent on family-friendliness. Its looks are, unsurprisingly, dictated by the need for interior space, and so information technology's a simple, tall hatchback shape, with only the slightest hint of a bonnet. There are BMW styling cues though, integrated relatively successfully; the kidney grille, signature headlamps and body surfacing are all immediately recognisable.

If the exterior'due south obviously BMW and then then likewise is the interior. The cabin'southward fit and finish is exemplary, the multi-layered, many surfaced dashboard perhaps non the most family friendly every bit it's total of nooks and crannies for stuff to gather, cook and be lost into - but otherwise it's beautifully executed. The seats are hugely comfortable, though given its MPV status the rears are somewhat limited in movement, the 40/20/forty layout sliding and folding, but not offering the bewildering pick of movement/layout of some rivals. The boot's competitively sized though, access to information technology and the level floor expert. Access to information technology is eased by the fact all Active Tourers take an automatic opening tailgate.

Driving information technology:

The Active Tourer shape isn't the but thing divers past the demand for infinite; so as well is its drivetrain. It's front-wheel drive, the first BMW to push button its drive forward. BMW's most fanatical purists see that as sacrilegious, but nobody else volition intendance. Especially as BMW has managed to produce a compact MPV that drives better than all its competition. At that place'due south no corruption to the steering for a start, which is light and decently accurate. It'due south the Active Tourer'southward ride and treatment that impress the most though, it always surefooted and stable, while the intermission manages to ride decently enough on poorer road surfaces. It'll non thrill like many BMWs, just then information technology's not supposed to really. Thankfully it doesn't come up with an enjoyment bypass on grounds of fertility.

By far and abroad the biggest anticipated seller volition be the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. That'll exist on grounds of economy, its official 68.9mpg and 109g/km CO₂ dictating that, and the new 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit is amidst the finest iv-cylinder diesels on the market. It's smooth and information technology'south difficult to imagine why yous'd want whatsoever other engine. Brisk rather than fast, it's the turbodiesel'southward aplenty torque that is key to the Active Tourer's ease, it allowing you to skip gears in the six-speed manual gearbox at will and makes for effortless progress. If information technology didn't take a BMW badge on its bonnet the Active Tourer would be proclaimed equally the finest driving compact MPV y'all tin buy, which it unquestionably is, though it'll exist more harshly judged by some by virtue of information technology not being what they think a BMW should be.

What you lot get for your Coin:

The Active Tourer might get-go where mainstream rivals achieve their limit on pricing, only the build and quality reflect this. Performance too, so you might think that BMW would scrimp a bit on specification. Information technology hasn't. Even the lowliest SE entry model comes with dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels, rear park distance command, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, DAB radio and an automatic opening tailgate.

Worth Noting

The trim line-up includes everything from entry-level SE, through Sport, Luxury and One thousand Sport, the latter gaining more sporting styling and interruption revisions. It comes subsequently in the year and adds Variable Sports Steering. Luxury adds leather inside for �2,000. Launched with only this 2.0-litre diesel and a three-cylinder 218i turbocharged petrol, the line-up will quickly expand to include 220i and 225i petrol choices and further diesels badged 216d and 220d. That 225i will come with xDrive four-wheel drive, the 220d besides due to exist offered with it optionally.

Summary

Haters gonna hate, merely the new 2 Serial Active Tourer fills a hole in BMW's product range and will sell in large numbers - equitably so. That its residual values volition arrive as inexpensive to run as faster depreciating, if cheaper to buy, mainstream rivals will just assistance likewise. That it'southward front-wheel drive has no bearing on anything really, except BMW'southward bottom line. A bit more than versatility and cubby stowage inside wouldn't hurt, just those are small complaints in what'due south unquestionably the finest driving meaty MPV currently bachelor.

Kyle Fortune - 23 Jul 2014