BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

The niche small MPV segment only has so few cars. For Mercedes-Benz, they answered with the B-Class. For Audi, they were asleep. And for BMW, it was the Active Tourer. Part of the 2 Series family of Gran Coupe, Coupe and Tourer (The Gran Tourer went out of production. Shame.), it is a member of the compact "luxury" segment. For buyers with a family and a bit more badge-conscious, maybe ditch the small "luxury" sedans and hatchbacks like the A-Class, CLA, A3, 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe and look toward an MPV. Now the word MPV might chase those who attached to the word to the likes of the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, the Renault Grand Scenic, VW Touran and such, but this is a car of completely different identity. It loses the bloated feel and instead opts for a more sporty, low slung hatchback look which I find to be very sexy. I had this car provided as a courtesy in the form of the 216i M Sport. I find it quite hard in all honesty to find a reason to purchase this variant of car, apart from the badge on the bonnet.

Stay with me now, take my advice and opt for the Inspiring, which loses the ever so stiff M Sport suspension and provides more comfort for the family. Neither me nor anyone in the car could bear the stiffness over bumps and uneven roads. I have tried the X1 M Sport and it's the same story. For families, please, please do NOT spec your BMW with M Sport UNLESS you have the option for Adaptive Suspension OR M Adaptive Suspension. This gives you the freedom of choice to choose your dampening to your liking.

The 216i feels different from their other compact cars. It is a light car being at 1470kg, which allows for ease of handling. Although advertised as an MPV it certainly shifts you away from the perspective of fat, chunky pieces of metal and more so a sporty hatchback with more space. It gives you the space of an SUV like the X1 in a smaller, nimbler package and the driver's perspective of a sports sedan while also being bigger than its sedan and hatchback counterparts. The rear is where you get all the goodies that a sedan does not. A more flat roofline means more headroom! It also is wider which means a family can fit in more comfortably.

There's nothing much more to say. It really is a great alternative to a compact sedan. Good job BMW!

The BMW 216i Active Tourer offers a modern, tech-rich interior and a practical family-friendly layout, while its engine delivers decent performance for everyday use

I recently got the BMW 216 Active Tourer, and I must say it left a lasting impression. Here's my review:

Performance: The driving experience was exceptional. The 216 Active Tourer effortlessly combines power and efficiency, providing a smooth ride with responsive handling. Whether navigating city streets or cruising on the expressway, the performance was consistently impressive.

Design and Style: BMW's commitment to sleek and modern design is evident in the 216 Active Tourer. The exterior is both stylish and dynamic, while the interior boasts a perfect blend of luxury and functionality. The spacious cabin and high-quality materials contribute to an overall sophisticated feel.

Versatility: One of the standout features for me was the versatility of the interior. The adjustable rear seats and ample cargo space make it a practical choice for families or those with an active lifestyle. The flexibility of the space truly adds to the vehicle's appeal.

Technology and Connectivity: BMW has equipped the 216 Active Tourer with cutting-edge technology. The idrive 9 infotainment system is user-friendly, and the connectivity options provide a seamless integration of Apple carplay. The advanced safety features like lane warning, blind spot and adaptive cruise control further enhance the overall driving experience. With the BMW app, I don't even have to bring my key along.

Fuel Efficiency: I was pleasantly surprised by the fuel efficiency of the 216 Active Tourer. I can get close to 8L/100km with my drive style

In conclusion, the BMW 216 Active Tourer exceeded my expectations in terms of performance, design, versatility, technology, and fuel efficiency. It's a well-rounded vehicle that caters to various needs, making it a standout choice in its category.

A touch of sportiness in the ride, a good smattering of premium touches in the cabin, and alright hatch-like looks make the 2 Series Active Tourer the perfect introduction to the BMW brand.

Drove this for about a week so far,

Comfort - better than a Kia Niro, my old mazda 3, old VW jetta and honda civic.

Reliability - cant comment yet

Handling - if you drive it for the purpose it is meant for : family.. Then no issues. Despite what BMW calls its, its not Msport in any way.

Exterior styling - ok looks depends on individual but it looks nicer than their 4 series.

Interior design - NICE! If they have the rotary knob, even better. But if you know how to us a smart phone, you know how to use this. For those that complain about no physical buttons for aircon, honestly how often do you adjust the temp while driving???

Features - cool, safety features are all there.

Value for $ - well COE is sheettt now so what can i say?

Engine performance - again like handling, if you drive the car for what it is, no complaints. If you expect 'M" Performance, look elsewhere, you are driving a small MPV, not a low-slung sports car

I drove it as a tourist mainly in Germany and I enjoyed it. In city context, it is a bit under powered as acceleration is just sluggish, i dont understand why not 2T, 1.5T is just neither here nor there, but suspension is good enough for me. On autobahn it allows full cruise control at 180km/h without me controling the steering and I can really rest my foot. However, due to nature of car, u can't fly it beyond 190, because the shape of car and suspension simply cannot sustain the high speed turning. Cruise speed can be adjusted by every 10km/h by a deeper flip, hence safe. Auto drive is important for traveling as u can enjoy the view (hands still on steering wheel) , it alerts u when u needs to retake control. Within one day I could trust the auto drive to quite an extent. Especially in Switzerland, where speed lowers to 130km/h at max. Its build-in GPS recognise most of the roads for auto drive in Germany, Austria and Switzerland even including the small country side roads.

It's parking assist (full surrounding in plan view and side scrap warning with visual indication) also makes it easy in European context where parking lots are really small.

But then in Singapore, if u pay so much for a car. This car is then not up to expectation, as a MPV, it sacrifised driving dynamics but boot space is not big enough. As a bmw, it is just not powerful enough. Its steering is very mediocre, can't feel the bmw caliber at all.

Forget the grille, this 2 Series Active Tourer is quite the engaging thing to steer, and I suspect, own and live with as well.

Let's get real. You're comparing this against the Mercedes B-Class, so why get the BMW instead? It's more engaging to drive, and the cabin just feels like it will better withstand the abuse of a few school children.