BMW 218d Active Tourer 2015 review

Mercedes-Benz has had the luxury, small, front wheel drive people mover segment to itself for years in the boxy, completely un-sexy B-Class. They've sold up a storm as a family runabout particularly in the ritzy suburbs of our big cities.

Response

Arch competitor BMW finally got its act together and responded this year with the new, clumsily named, BMW 2-Series Active Tourer - whatever that means. It has nothing to do with the 2-Series sports coupe having much more in common with the Mini Countryman including engines, suspension, probably parts of the chassis and other bits and pieces.

And the result is pretty impressive judged against Benz's B-Class and other potential alternatives.

The lineup

It's an exceptionally practical five seater offering more room inside than expected, super quiet engine, comfortable ride and a swag of standard equipment including a really handy electrically operated tailgate.

They come in a range of flavours starting at $44,400 for the 218i with the 1.5-litre, three cylinder, turbo petrol Mini engine followed by the 220i and 225i both running 2.0-litre petrol turbo four cylinders.

The $47,800 drive vehicle was the 218d with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel similar to that found in numerous other European cars.

In this instance it achieves 110kW/330Nm output driving the front wheels through an eight speed auto transmission. It gets an incredible 4.2L/100km.

We had a Peugeot 308 wagon at the same time with the 'same' engine but a six speed auto and it was like chalk and cheese.

The Active Tourer is generously equipped even in base form

Though good, the Pug had nothing on the BMW - but there is a significant price difference in favour of the French vehicle.

Kit

The Active Tourer is generously equipped even in base form with a reverse camera satnav, auto high beam and wipers, collision warning , cruise with braking, climate control, leatherette,multi function wheel, park distance control and assist, Bluetooth audio and phone (easy to use), voice control and a large 6.5-inch multimedia screen with a handy iDrive control knob.

Button start simplifies driving as does the range of driver assist features including automatic crash reporting and speed limiter.

Three drive modes are available - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport each with different calibrations to various car functions. 

Paddle shift was fitted to the diesel test car which also had the optional real leather (+$1000).

The look

It's much the same inside as any other BMW with a typically classy, functional, modern German style.

The exterior takes a bit more adjustment because it's in the tall, narrow idiom with various BMW styling cues grafted on.

Not offensive by any stretch but not handsome either.

The Active Tourer is great to drive in an everyday environment

Driving

This was the real surprise, because the Active Tourer is great to drive in an everyday environment. Not sporty but competent is how we would describe its dynamics and the engine has plenty of kick for any application, even with five adults aboard.

The claimed fuel economy is achievable without trying too much and you can barely tell it's a diesel once underway.

The ride is controlled and comfy while the steering and brakes have the sharper edge associated with all BMW passenger cars.

Not a canyon carver by any stretch the Active Tourer is certainly not a cringe either.