BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review
The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a 7 seat MPV with an upmarket feel, and it's reasonably fun to drive too
The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a bigger, more practical version of the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV, adding an extra row of seats to what was already a very handy family car. The seven-seater benefits from a strong line-up of petrol and diesel engines that offer good levels of fuel efficiency and performance, while the badge on the front adds the kind of desirability rivals like the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer and Renault Grand Scenic struggle to match. This comes at a price though, as these alternatives are much cheaper and represent better value for money.
If you don’t want to give up on the idea of having a car that’s fun to drive, but you need something that’s big enough to fill the needs of a growing family, then the 2 Series Gran Tourer fits the bill perfectly.
About the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
Since the introduction of the 2 Series Gran Tourer, BMW really can claim to offer a car for every occasion. Not happy with the five-seat Active Tourer, BMW introduced the seven-seat Gran Tourer at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, with sales starting just a few months later.
Aimed at people who think a Renault Grand Scenic, Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer or even a Volkswagen Touran is too mainstream, the 2 GT promises to be a car they not only need but one they actively desire.
However, in order to make a seven-seater compact, you first need a front-wheel-drive platform – and only relatively recently has BMW been brave enough to break with its rear-drive traditions. By using the MINI hatchback’s architecture, BMW is able to introduce a new range of compact cars giving it access to previously untapped segments. Four trims – SE, Sport, Luxury and M Sport – make up the range.
Engines range from the basic three-cylinder 216d diesel to the range-topping 220d with four-wheel drive. In between the two you’ll find a 218i and 220i petrol, as well as a 218d diesel.
The two more powerful diesels make up the bulk of sales, though it’s the lesser 216d that boast the most impressive fuel economy and emissions. Six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic gearboxes are on offer across the range. While there’s a plug-in hybrid version of the 2 Series Active Tourer, there’s no such option on the seven-seat Gran Tourer.
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