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Used Car Expert Rating

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 to 2021)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

73
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

67
%
D

Safety Rating:

46
%
E

Eco Rating:

73
%
A

Reliability Rating:

73
%
C

Running Costs:

73
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

73
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

67
%
D

Safety Rating:

46
%
E

Eco Rating:

73
%
A

Reliability Rating:

73
%
C

Running Costs:

73
%
A

Summary


Launched back in 2014, the first-generation BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was the German brand’s first people carrier model. Now off sale, the second generation of this MPV is set to arrive in 2022.

Available as a petrol or diesel model, entry-level versions of the 2 Series Active Tourer did provide direct competition to the Volkswagen Touran MPV, while higher-spec variants, including a range-topping plug-in hybrid model, rivalled more premium alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

While the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was strictly a five-seater, a seven-seat extended version, called the 2 Series Gran Tourer, arrived in 2015. Both models were updated in 2018 with improved infotainment systems and other enhancements.

The Active Tourer was highly regarded by the British media during its seven-year tenure, Car Keys summarising in its review that this MPV continued “to prove that committing to an MPV doesn’t have to sacrifice a good driving experience, a premium image and a high-quality interior.”

While providing one of the most premium offerings in the MPV segment, the 2 Series Active Tourer was, as Auto Trader describes “undeniably pricey”, particularly towards the top end of the range.

The ride comfort of the Active Tourer was also criticised by a number of UK reviewers, as well as the fuel economy of the plug-in hybrid version.

As of January 2025, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer holds a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. That’s slightly below its larger sibling, the 2 Series Gran Tourer.

2 Series Active Tourer highlights

  • Plenty of practical cabin space
  • Impressive list of on-board tech features
  • Class-leading interior trim quality
  • Intuitive infotainment
  • Strong engine performance and driving dynamics

2 Series Active Tourer lowlights

  • Expensive, particularly range-topping models
  • Not as fun to drive as other models in the 2 Series range
  • Diesel engine can get noisy
  • Chunky front pillars reduce visibility
  • Dated exterior looks

Key specifications


Body style: Compact MPV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price when new: From £25,495 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2014
Last updated: Autumn 2018
Ended production: Summer 2021


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Driving Electric

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2014
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 84%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 60%
Safety assist: 70%

No safety rating

The BMW 2 Series Acrtive Tourer was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2014. However, this rating expired in January 2021 as the 2 Series no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used BMW 2 Series to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models45 mpgC42 – 47 mpgC – D
Diesel models56 mpgB51 – 60 mpgA – B
Plug-in hybrid models171 mpgA157 – 188 mpgA – A
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models144 g/kmB137 – 153 g/kmB – B
Diesel models132 g/kmA122 – 145 g/kmA – B
Plug-in hybrid models38 g/kmA35 – 40 g/kmA – A
Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
Plug-in hybrid models32 milesE29 – 34 milesE – E
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models18A11 – 24A – B

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is only average for the petrol models but better for the diesels. If you buy a plug-in hybrid model and are able to keep the battery charged regularly, economy will be very good. If you’re using the battery, fuel economy is likely to be worse than the standard petrol model.

Insurance costs should be very competitive. We don’t have servicing and maintenance costs as this model is now too old, but costs are likely to vary significantly from car to car due to age and mileage factors rather than the scheduled BMW service plan.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of October 2024, the overall BMW 2 Series family has a fairly average reliability rating of 66%, based on warranty claims data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to all the various iterations of the 2 Series (Active Tourer, Gran Tourer, Gran Coupé, coupé and convertible), and both current and previous models, so it’s a very wide net of quite different vehicles.

Based on quite a large number of claims, the average repair cost for a 2 Series to date is £600 – which is obviously more than the cost of a used car warranty so that’s certainly worth considering.

Most of the repair bills to date have been reasonably average, but the overall numbers are skewed by a small number of very expensive fuel system repairs, which averaged nearly £1,200 each. Gearbox repair bills have also been expensive at about £1,800, so make sure that any used car warranty you purchase covers these particular areas.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has received

2018

  • Honest John Awards – Best MPV

2015

  • Red Dot Awards – Red Dot Design Award

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, you might also be interested in these alternatives

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer | Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | Ford S-Max | Mercedes-Benz B-ClassVolkswagen Touran


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Buy a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer


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An upmarket MPV praised for its practicality and cabin quality, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was highly-regarded by reviewers, though expensive.BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 to 2021)