BMW 2 Series Active Tourer First Drive Review by Bimmerpost

Bimmerpost takes the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer for a first drive and reviews the performance of the vehicle. Here is an excerpt:

While the Active Tourer’s vehicle architecture – which is shared with the new Mini – represents a complete departure from the brand’s proven recipe, the Bavarians played it safe with the styling. The proportions, of course, are typical of a tall-roof wagon, and the run-of-the-mill BMW design cues are present: Kidney grille, four-eyed headlights, L-shaped taillights, and a remarkably nondescript interpretation of the “Hofmeister kink.” 170.9 inches long and 61. inches tall, this is a practical shape, to be sure. There is generous room for passengers and cargo. Options include a trunk-mounted button that will make the rear seats drop forward; rear seats that slide and tilt; and a tailgate that can be opened by gesturing.

 

Facing the front passengers is a beautifully executed dashboard that takes the brand’s “layered design” a step forward. The optional head-up display projects navigation commands, speed and further information onto a separate screen, such as on some recent PSA cars and the upcoming, European-market Volkswagen Passat. We also noted that the 2-series Active Tourer shuns the electronic gear selector of BMW’s larger models in favor of a conventional type. Which is a good thing.

 

We sampled the 225i first, with front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional) and the obligatory eight-speed automatic, a unit supplied by Aisin. The engine, internally called B48, is derived from BMW’s new, modular engine architecture which will eventually include every diesel and gasoline engine with 3, 4 and 6 cylinders. The 225i’s 2.0-liter, direct-injected turbo four makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This translates into impressive performance: The sprint from zero to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds, top speed is an ungoverned 149 mph. The power rush comes without any fuss, or sporty noises, and we think a little more personality wouldn’t hurt. This model gets 40.6 mpg in the European cycle, but when pushed hard, it only manages half that mileage.

 

A lot less powerful at 148 hp, the B47 2.0-liter diesel in the 218d is still enjoyable. It reaches 62 mph in 8.9 seconds and tops out at an ungoverned 129 mph; speed, of course, builds up in a leisurely fashion beyond 80 mph. Maximum torque is rated at 243 lb-ft; the plateau begins to drop off before 3000 rpm, and there is no use in revving this engine beyond 4500 rpm. This new diesel is a lot more quiet than the N47 engine that powers the X3 28d; it emits a reassuring purr. The disappointment here was the six-speed manual transmission, which felt notchy when moving out of the center position, and would benefit from shorter throws. In Sport mode, there is a rev matching system, which we found to be slightly obnoxious on this diesel. Mated to a diesel, the throttle-blipping, rev-matching system fails to provide much aural joy. Rated at 57.4 mpg in the European cycle, real-life consumption in the mid-40 mpg range is realistic.

 

Given that this tall wagon is a vehicle that appeals to families and older folk, and that it is relatively heavy at 4153 lbs for the 225i (without driver), we did not expect it to match the standards of, say, the “real” 2 series. But we would have liked it to be a bit more performance-oriented nonetheless. The suspension is tuned for comfort more than sportiness, but it maintains a pleasant firmness. But when pushed to the limit, the Active Tourer feels more imprecise and floaty than other BMWs. The steering, in typical zBMW fashion, feels too artificially heavy. Passengers for whom comfort is priority will appreciate how isolated the cabin is from road, wind and engine noise.