Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer refreshed for 2018

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer receive the same set of updates, including a tweaked design, cabin refresh and new engines

BMW’s pair of 2 Series MPVs – the Active Tourer and Gran Tourer – are the latest cars from the Bavarian premium brand to receive a facelift, following a 2017 that saw BMW update a substantial cross section of its range.

Both BMW i cars – the i3 and i8 - received upgrades last year, while the 1 Series2 Series and 4 Series were all facelifted too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The updates revealed here for both the 2 Series Active and Gran Tourer include a design refresh, plus updates in the cabin, engine udates, and a new seven-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.

BMW is still very much a newcomer to the MPV segment, entering the market back in 2014 in a bid to provide competition for the Mercedes B-Class. However by BMW’s latest count, over 380,000 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers had found homes worldwide by the end of 2017. Despite dwindling MPV sales across Europe, BMW considers these two models important because around four-fifths of the people who buy them are new to the German brand.

Both models retain the same roles as before; the Active Tourer is a five-seat MPV, while the Gran Tourer seats seven and boasts a longer wheelbase. Aside from this they use identical styling cues, which BMW has altered with a fresher look mimicking some of its latest releases.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Best MPVs on sale right now

At the front, a new, larger set of kidney grilles is found on the nose, flanked by fresh headlights with new hexagonal lighting signatures. The lights are halogen as standard, but full LED and adaptive LED units will be available too. New LED foglamps are also on the options list, though the front bumper itself remains largely unchanged.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Minor tweaks to the rear apron have also been introduced, and in a bid to inject a bit of additional sportiness. The most notable of these changes is the introduction of thicker, larger looking exhaust exits housed in more muscular looking bodywork, while all four-cylinder models gain twin tailpipes. Again, buyers will be offered an M Sport styling package, introducing a sharper look with more aggressively sculpted front and rear bumpers, plus 17-inch alloy wheel as standard. 17-inches isn’t as large as the wheels can go, however. Sizes range from 16 to 19-inches, with six new designs added to the options list. 

New interior upholstery choices have arrived and there’s extra seat padding, plus a new gearlever for automatic models.

Fresh fuel economy figures under the new WLTP testing regime have yet to arrive for most power units, but BMW claims that the engines – representing the same spread as before, including plug-in hybrid options – are now more frugal, with petrol options gaining a slight power increase. 

Both versions of the 2 Series will go on sale in the UK later this month, with first deliveries targeted for late March. Prices for the updated models should start from around £26,000 for the 216d model in SE trim. 

What do you make of BMW's refreshed MPVs? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best people carriers and MPVs to buy 2025
Best MPVs - header image

Best people carriers and MPVs to buy 2025

These people carriers and MPVs are loaded with family-friendly features and acres of space
Best cars & vans
20 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025