New BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – for family men who want überholprestige [UPDATE: prijzen bekend]

The MPV is dead, they say, the public would only want SUVs. But BMW is just holding on with the 2-series Active Tourer. And in the Netherlands, the sales figures show that the German brand is right. The first-generation 2-series Active Tourer was launched in 2014 and has attracted nearly 16,000 buyers in the past seven years.

BMW 2-series Active Tourer with impressive kidney grille

The first model was not a design masterpiece – which MPV is? – but of the second generation, the designers have tried to make something exciting. At least, from the front … where a pair of drunk headlights frowning flank an imposing kidney grille.

Same size as predecessor, less luggage space

Surprisingly, the new BMW 2-series Active Tourer is almost the same size as its predecessor. It’s a few centimeters longer, has the same wheelbase and takes even less luggage (normally 470 liters (+2 litres), bench down 1455 liters (-55 litres).

And that applies to versions with petrol or diesel engines. If you order the 2-series Active Tourer with a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, the components will eat part of the trunk. Only 415 liters can be carried in the mild hybrid, in the plug-in hybrid even only 406 liters.

One petrol, one diesel, two mild hybrids

At its launch, the BMW 2-series Active Tourer will be available as 218i (three-cylinder petrol with 136 hp), 220i (three-cylinder mild hybrid with 170 hp) and 223i (four-cylinder mild hybrid with 218 hp), all with a seven-speed automatic. If you prefer a diesel, there are fewer options. BMW only supplies the 218d, with a 150 hp and 360 Nm strong 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Two plug-in hybrid models from summer

Halfway through next year, BMW will expand the delivery program of the 2-series Active Tourer with two plug-in hybrids: the 225e xDrive and 230e xDrive. Both have a 1.5-litre three-cylinder, assisted by an electric motor on the rear axle. The 225e is 245 hp strong, the 230e even comes to 326 hp. They can drive 80 kilometers electrically on their 14.9 kWh battery.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with dashboard from iX

In the interior of the 2-series Active Tourer you will find a clearly different dashboard than in the BMW 1-series and 2-series. According to BMW, it is inspired by that of the electric BMW iX, with a curved panel that consists of two screens: a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and a 10.7-inch infotainment system.

From February on the Dutch market

The new BMW 2-series Active Tourer will hit the Dutch market in February 2022. It is not yet known what it will cost. We do know that it is standard equipped with full-LED headlights, alloy wheels, an electrically operated tailgate, climate control, cruise control with braking function and parking assist with reversing camera.

These are the provisional prices

• 218i: 41,558 euros
• 220i: € 42,419
• 223i: 45.855 euro
• 218d: 46,343 euros