2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer detailed: Does the Mercedes-Benz B-Class rival boast the best-looking version of the controversial 4 Series grille? You decide!

BMW has uncovered its second-generation 2 Series Active Tourer, revealing a larger and sleeker MPV that adopts BMW’s controversial design language.

The new Active Tourer retains the tall-boy hatch body style of the original, but the narrow grille is gone in favour of BMW’s signature toothy kidney grille found on the 4 Series and X7.

It gains full LED slimline head and tail-lights, integrated tailpipes, large lower air intakes, a more heavily raked A-pillar, new alloy wheel designs and a choice of eleven paint colours.

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The new 2 Series Active Tourer also loses some of the surface lines of the first-gen car, instead adopting smoother panels for a more minimalist look.

The new model is 44mm longer, 24mm wider and 21mm taller than the model it replaces, but the 2670mm wheelbase is the same.

Big changes are found in the completely overhauled cabin, including the addition of BMW’s ‘Curved Display’ digital screen grouping which combines a 10.25-inch instrument cluster with a 10.7-inch multimedia screen. This setup is also found in the forthcoming BMW iX EV.

The display is connected to the latest version of BMW’s iDrive, running Operating System 8, and it features intuitive touch control and voice control.

The Active Tourer’s interior represents BMW’s latest design principals and is more modern than the 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe with which it shares underpinnings. It has fewer buttons, a ‘floating’ armrest with storage underneath and a new device holder that allows the screen to remain visible to the driver and passenger.

The second-generation BMW 2 Series Active Tourer won't be sold in Australia.

BMW says new seats throughout improve occupant comfort compared with the previous model and the rear seats fold 40/20/40. The second row can slide by 13cm and when it is in the cargo position adds 90 litres to boot capacity.

Speaking of, cargo space ranges between 415 and 470 litres with all seats in place, depending on the variant, increasing to 1405/1455L with the second row stowed.

In Europe, four model grades will be available initially, including the 218i and 220i which use a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in two different states of tune.

The 223i uses a new version of BMW’s 48-volt mild hybrid system paired with a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit. The 110kW/360Nm 218d is the sole diesel offering.

Next year two plug-in hybrid variants will be added to the line-up, and while BMW is yet to detail the powertrains, it said they will feature fifth-generation eDrive technology with improvements to dynamism and electric driving range.

The curved digital display from BMW's iX EV is now found in the 2022 Active Tourer.

Changes have been made to the steering and suspension for improved ride and driver engagement. Optional adaptive M suspension lowers the ride height by 15mm.

As well as a front centre airbag the Active Tourer features the latest safety gear like an exit warning, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, lane keep assist and a remote theft recorder.

A BMW Australia spokesperson said the German brand had no plans to introduce the new Active Tourer to its line-up, given the low take-up of the first version.

“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has always been a niche product for us in Australia and we will continue to cater to customers by bringing in products that suit their requirements,” they said.

The original Active Tourer went on sale in 2014 and was a slow seller from the get-go, consistently trailing its key rival, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

It had its best sales year in 2015, recording 1765 registrations, but that dropped consistently year on year, ending with just nine sales in 2020 as remaining stock dried up.