Summary
Now in its second generation, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a mid-sized people carrier built on the same platform as the BMW 1 Series hatchback and BMW X1 SUV.
Arriving on UK roads in Spring 2022, the 2 Series Active Tourer is available with a range of petrol and diesel engine options as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain. All models are fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Reviewer reaction to the latest iteration of the Active Tourer has been mixed – with review scores ranging from average to exceptional. The majority of the criticism it has received to date is in relation to its exterior styling, which Car calls “very bulbous and round”.
Despite its “chunky disposition”, Honest John comments that the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer drives well, with surprisingly agile handling, although What Car? is not impressed with the “firm” ride comfort. The Active Tourer has received plenty of praise for its interior trim, which Top Gear describes as “roomy and well-appointed”, and its infotainment, which What Car? says is the best in its class.
Many journalists have found the pricing questionable, as there are more spacious people carriers available for far less. Auto Express questions the Active Tourer’s existence entirely, its reviewer puzzled by BMW’s commitment to an people carrier class that is “dwindling in importance”, when the brand already has a wide range of capable SUVs.
Conversely, the Sunday Times asserts that the Active Tourer does appeal to an audience – those who need the practicality of a people carrier without wanting to compromise on cabin quality and performance. “If you prefer to enjoy the finer things in life, including a car that drives with genuine quality, then this BMW is unlikely to disappoint.”
As of September 2024, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 76%. based on 15 different UK reviews.
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More BMW Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
2 Series Active Tourer highlights
- Plenty of legroom and headroom
- High quality interior trim
- Responsive handling by MPV standards
- Class-leading infotainment
2 Series Active Tourer lowlights
- Polarising looks
- Noisy at motorway speeds
- Other MPVs offer more value-for-money
- Rather rigid ride comfort
Key specifications
Body style: Compact MPV
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £34,040 on-road
Launched: Spring 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic 220i Luxury
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s interesting to see BMW commit to a class dwindling in importance with a car so thoroughly new, and the 2 Series Active Tourer feels more complete than the Mercedes B-Class. We like the space inside, the quality, and the mild-hybrid tech is executed well.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“If you thought SUVs and crossovers had killed off the traditional MPV or people carrier BMW begs to differ, the 2 Series Active Tourer putting practicality before style with a tall, space-efficient hatchback packed with family-friendly features.” (Dan Trent)
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 225e M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“This is a sensible rather than exciting car, which, if you come at the 2 Series Active Tourer expecting the kind of drive BMW would traditionally offer, could leave you a bit cold. It’s up to your lifestyle, rather than the model, to supply the dynamics.” (Matt Prior)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Mildly divisive front-driven MPV returns in second-generation form; more convincing than before, with solid performance, outstanding usability and practical family appeal.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 225e Active Tourer
Score: 8 / 10
“The MPV might be a dying breed, but in plug-in hybrid form, this BMW 225e Active Tourer is one of the best available. Impressively practical and spacious, the plug-in drivetrain gives welcome running cost savings without compromising the driving experience.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It manages to be misshapen in a completely different way to its big brother, the iX. Where that has too many angles the Active Tourer has too few. It’s very bulbous and round. Things are improved with large wheels and a metal, rather than blacked out grille but even then, it’s still a bit blobby.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: xDrive Active Tourer plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“This plug-in hybrid 2 Series Active Tourer will no doubt appeal to a lot of drivers. It’s spacious, well made and efficient, but it’s also impressively fast – and will leave a lot of motorists surprised at just how quickly it can get away from the line.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 223i M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“Among BMW’s range of saloons and SUVs, the 2 Series Active Tourer makes a refreshing change. Standing out with its versatile cabin, it continues to offer the brand’s trademark sporty driving experience and upmarket interior. It’s a very appealing option, and combined with a great mix of engines, it ticks plenty of boxes.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“As an alternative to an SUV, it’s a very appealing option, and combined with a great mix of engines – which will only improve when the plug-in hybrid arrives – it ticks plenty of boxes for buyers.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The latest BMW 2 Series Active Tourer hides the latest technology under familiar styling.” (Miles Goodson)
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“While BMW and MPV might not sound like a natural fit, the new 2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is one of the best family MPVs you can buy. It’s bang up to date, with plenty of new tech, including BMW’s latest generation iDrive interface, while the plug-in hybrid model delivers a remarkable electric-only range of 49 miles.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer ain’t no looker, but it is a very practical family car that drives way better than its chunky disposition would have you believe. Throw in BMW quality and superb infotainment, and this is one of the best reasons you’ll find not to buy an SUV.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The elephant in the room is the styling. Its tall shape is great for headroom and sitting in, but it doesn’t lend itself to a desirable silhouette. BMW’s continued use of the MPV shape is a win for sensibility in the face of the SUVs pretty much taking over this segment.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s likely that you will be impressed by the interior and array of in-car tech that makes this family car feel ultra-modern. On a practical level it serves a purpose, though there are more capacious cars available with smaller price tags. But if you prefer to enjoy the finer things in life, including a car that drives with genuine quality, then this BMW is unlikely to disappoint.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Still feels like the odd one out in the BMW family. Roomy and well-appointed, but doesn’t drive well enough or offer clever solutions for family motoring.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a spacious MPV with a robust, high-quality interior that includes the best infotainment system in the class. What’s more, it’s good to drive, offers impressive engines and has a pair of promising plug-in hybrid options on the way.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 79%
Safety assist: 92%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 220i Petrol FWD Automatic
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: February 2024
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.7 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.1 / 10
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 204
Average repair cost: £628.90
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The BMW 2 Series has a very good reliability rating of 74%, according to workshop data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score covers all versions of the 2 Series (Coupé, Convertible, Gran Coupé, Active Tourer and Grand Tourer) for both the current generation and previous models.
The most expensive repair bills tend to be gearbox-related, and those are expensive with an average bill of more than £2,300. Fortunately, they’re not too common. Fuel system faults have an average repair cost of about £1,300, so look out for those as well. The most frequently-seen issues to date relate to the electrical system, with an average repair bill of about £600.
If you own a BMW 2 Series, or are interested in buying a used 2 Series model of any sort, make sure that any used car warranty you buy covers these problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 47 mpg | C | 46 – 48 mpg | C – C |
| Diesel models | 58 mpg | B | 57 – 59 mpg | A – B |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 136 g/km | B | 132 – 148 g/km | A – B |
| Diesel models | 128 g/km | A | 126 – 130 g/km | A – A |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 15 g/km | A | 14 – 15 g/km | A – A |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 27 | B | 22 – 29 | A – C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £216 | B |
| Year 2 | £498 | A |
| Year 3 | £847 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,096 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,451 | B |
| Overall | £4,108 | B |
The running costs for a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer should be pretty affordable, according to data exclusively provided by our partner Clear Vehicle Data.
The fuel efficiency of of petrol models is average when compared to the market as a whole, but is higher than average when compared to other people carriers of its size. The diesel variant is one of the most economical ICE-powered people carriers on the market, offering 58 mpg.
Insurance premiums are cheaper than average, and service and maintenance costs should be quite affordable over the course of five years of ownership.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
Date: May 2023
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2021 to 03/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 1,963
Defect: In rare cases the lower section of the outer seat belts may have been trapped behind the lower part of the C-pillar interior trim panels.
Remedy: Check the fitment of the rear seat belts and if applicable release any trapped components.
Date: October 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2021 to 07/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 4,313
Defect: In the event of a restraint system fault the airbag warning light or warning message is not displayed to the driver due to a software error.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the Airbag control unit (ACSM6) will be reprogrammed with new software.
Date: May 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2021 to 04/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 3,023
Defect: If a failure is detected by the control unit the airbag warning light and check control message would not to be illuminated and activated.
Remedy: The Airbag control unit (ACSM6) will be reprogrammed with new software.
As of September 2024, there have been three DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The recalls cover seat belts and airbags on all models.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used 2 Series Active Tourer, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën Berlingo | Mercedes-Benz B-Class | Peugeot Rifter | Vauxhall Combo Life | Volkswagen Touran
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More BMW ratings, reviews, news and features
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