BMW 218d Active Tourer, review and test drive

BMW has entered fully into the premium people carrier segment, a segment where Mercedes has been alone for years with its B-Class, now in its second generation. But the BMW Series 2 Active Tourer is the dissonant note in the Bavarian brand: front-wheel drive, three-cylinder engines and people carrier design.

Is it spacious? Does it keep the BMW DNA behind the wheel? And what about the trim levels? We answer all of this and more in the test of the brand’s first people carrier.

Exterior design: BMW essence in XL size

Looking at the new Series 2 AT from the outside, at the front the brand’s DNA is clearly visible, with the typical kidney grille and the unmistakable circular daytime running lights in the headlights. Our unit had Full-LED headlights that offer excellent illumination.

The side has a marked design and a certain sporty character unusual in this segment. The wide glazed area with large windows stands out.

At the rear we see the typical BMW-style light clusters (with LED technology), a large tailgate, and the chrome exhaust outlet adds a sporty touch.

Interior design: changes compared with the Series 1 and sobriety

It is true that the interiors of BMW models tend to be very sober, with good finishes but sometimes too austere. However, the Series 2 Active Tourer pleasantly surprised us, as the dashboard design is different from the conventional Series 1 and Series 2.

It is a design more typical of a people carrier, with separate controls and more storage cavities for our things. The finish is of good quality, with soft plastics that are pleasant to the touch, and the centre console is split by a glovebox.

That said, the instrumentation does not change compared with the other models and, although it is complete in terms of information, it is simple.

The driving position is elevated, but not as much as in other people carriers nor as much as in its direct rival, the Mercedes B-Class. The seat holds the body well, although it takes a little while to find the most comfortable position, but once we get used to it, it is a comfortable car, with standard seats that hold the body well, and we also enjoy good visibility.

The rear seats have a decent entry, come with air vents and offer enough room for the feet and head. Another practical detail is the individual bench seats, which can be folded independently.

Storage and boot

In addition to the storage spaces already mentioned in the dashboard, there are others in the centre console, the cubby and the main glovebox. The rear seats also have armrests.

The boot has a capacity of 468 litres (while a Mercedes B-Class offers 486 litres), and it features a false floor and side recesses for storing small items.

Engine and performance

Our BMW was the 218d, that is, the 150 CV diesel. The powertrain is the well-known 2.0 diesel, which now goes up to 190 CV, but in its 18d version it stays at 150 CV. It is a new-generation engine, like the petrol units introduced with the three-cylinder Series 2 Active Tourer.

The most notable thing is the power delivery: it responds strongly from 1,500–1,800 rpm up to 4,000 rpm. Its 150 CV are more than enough to move the Series 2 AT with ease, although some more refinement is missed, especially in terms of noise.

The engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox with a precise and very pleasant feel. It features a system that synchronises the revs when downshifting to avoid the typical jerks when slowing down.

It takes some getting used to, since at first it seems the car is not downshifting, but it adds a lot of comfort when changing gear.

Handling

The essence of BMW is evident not only in the design but also in the engine and the handling. The Series 2 AT is an agile car (considerably more so than the Mercedes B-Class), since the feel at the wheel is more typical of a saloon than of a people carrier, and I would even dare to say there are saloons less dynamic than this BMW.

It is the first BMW to use the new platform of the Mini, it has great stability on the road, and the suspension is firm without losing comfort or feeling harsh. On the road or motorway the Series 2 AT gives a sense of stability and comfort; its only dynamic limitation is its height (typical of a people carrier), while the soundproofing is in line with its segment and its premium positioning.

In town, it may seem at first like a large and unwieldy car, but the feeling diminishes as we get used to it in the city. It has excellent visibility (except to the rear) and comes with parking sensors, or assisted parking (optional), to make manoeuvres easier.

In short, it is a people carrier with a dynamic character unusual in this segment, partly thanks to its powerful and performance-oriented engine, which favours a firm response over comfort.

Consumption

In this area the BMW Series 2 AT is quite economical, since for its size and power, consumption figures were consistently low. On the motorway, on our usual route between Madrid and Vigo, it averaged 5.3 litres per 100 km.

On country roads normal consumption is around 5.5 litres per 100 km, and it is easy to drive below six litres. In town, although our test is always carried out in the city of Vigo (with plenty of hills), average consumption on our usual route is 7.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

There are several equipment levels for the Series 2 AT: Base, Advantage, Sport, Luxury and M Sport. Standard equipment is already complete, with items such as dual-zone climate control, light and rain sensor, tyre pressure monitoring, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free, USB, BMW Professional radio, among others.

The Advantage trim (our unit) is highly recommendable, as it adds some important extras such as Full-LED lights (plus cruise control, front fog lights and rear parking control).

As for the standard radio, with six speakers, it is decent. Good sound, a small screen but with plenty of information and several smartphone connectivity features. That said, it does not allow voice control (pressing the steering wheel key refers you to the phone’s own voice control).

Price of the BMW Series 2 Active Tourer

With the base trim, prices are as follows:

• 218i 136 CV €29,050
• 220i 192 CV €33,750
• 225i 231 CV €39,150
• 225i xDrive 231 CV €41,350
• 216d 116 CV €28,450
• 218d 150 CV €30,850
• 220d 190 CV €36,450
• 220d xDrive 190 CV €38,850

With the Advantage Pack add €989, with the Sport Pack €2,689 more than the base, with the Luxury Pack €4,089 more, and finally the M Sport is €4,589 more expensive than the base trim (increases are approximate).

Personal opinion and verdict

That BMW is today launching into the MPV segment, and doing so with three-cylinder engines in the range or with the controversial front-wheel drive, may suggest the brand is losing its DNA in terms of essence and sportiness. But despite everything, this is no sacrilege, and the Series 2 Active Tourer keeps the essence of the Bavarian manufacturer, which is noticeable behind the wheel.

If we compare the BMW Active Tourer with its direct rival -the Mercedes B-Class- it is clear that both are aimed at two different audiences. The BMW is much more sporty in its response, in its feel and even in its exterior lines. The 218d we tested with 150 CV is an engine with character, more than enough for those seeking a performance diesel, and it also offers a fun element in a segment where few dynamic options exist.

And is it spacious? Inside, it has the typical details of a people carrier, from several storage spaces for our things (even the centre console changes design and incorporates a small glovebox) and with more than enough room for five adults or even seven (in its largest version).

Another important detail, and one we liked, is the complete standard equipment. It seems brands are changing their approach to base versions, since as standard it already includes the essentials for a model of this type, and for just around €1,000 more you get a fully equipped BMW Series 2 Active Tourer.

In short, if you are looking for a premium people carrier with some character, this BMW is an interesting alternative. It also has finishes in line with the segment and, compared with its direct rival, offers an extra dose of dynamism.

Photos | Test team

Technical specifications of this car

SedanBMW Serie 218 versions · from 38,650 €