Used car tests

Used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (Mk2, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: the perfect SUV alternative

Name: BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
Brand: BMW

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, covering the 2 Series Active Tourer Mk2 that’s been on sale in the UK since 2022

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By:Richard Dredge

26 Dec 2025

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Verdict

Fewer and fewer car manufacturers are offering multi-purpose vehicles that put the emphasis on practicality, as the companies focus more and more on SUVs. That’s a real shame because the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is an ideal vehicle for families – or indeed anyone who just wants something that’s spacious and versatile but still relatively compact. In a world where the SUV has become the default choice for many families, the 2 Series Active Tourer shows why buyers need alternatives, and it’s an option that you should seriously consider if you’re looking for a practical carry-all that’s safe, reliable, efficient and versatile.

It’s more than a decade since BMW introduced the original 2 Series Active Tourer to UK buyers, and while it didn’t set the sales charts alight, it did a great job of providing practical family transport. Over its seven-year lifespan, BMW sold more than 430,000 examples of the first-generation 2 Series Active Tourer, so it came as no surprise that an all-new model was unveiled in 2021.

Significantly better in terms of the powertrains offered (most are electrified), safety systems and interior packaging, the second-generation 2 Series Active Tourer was also BMW’s first compact model with a curved dash display, plus it had new transmissions for greater efficiency and a slicker driving experience. But it sits in a segment that has now almost vanished, so does the 2 Series Active Tourer still make any sense?

History

The Mk1 Active Tourer reached UK showrooms in May 2014 in five-seat form, with the seven-seat Gran Tourer arriving a year later. The second-generation Active Tourer was available for UK buyers to order from February 2022.

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2020 BMW

2 Series

37,423 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £13,109

View 2 Series

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2017 BMW

2 Series

64,000 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £9,850

View 2 Series

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2020 BMW

2 Series

32,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,450

View 2 Series

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2015 BMW

2 Series

63,295 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £15,000

View 2 Series

This time there was a five-seat model only, which came in 168bhp 220i and 215bhp 223i forms, with 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engines respectively. For those who preferred a diesel engine there was a 148bhp 218d option with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant.

Every engine came only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission dubbed Steptronic by BMW; the petrol units featured mild-hybrid tech to improve their economy. By autumn 2022 two plug-in hybrids had been added to the range; the 241bhp 225e and the 321bhp 230e both featured the 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 16.3kWh battery.

Prices

One in four Active Tourers is a 220i, whereas the 223i is much rarer. If you’re after the ultimate in performance, you can buy a 230e. Few of the Active Tourers that are on the market have covered more than 20,000 miles, but we did find a couple of 55,000-mile examples.

You can buy a used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Mk2 for under £20,000 through our Buy a Car service.

Check the price of a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with our free car valuation tool...

On the road

Petrol and diesel-engined Active Tourers are front-wheel drive, whereas the plug-in hybrids are four-wheel drive.

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If you were hoping to buy a people-carrier that’s as good to drive as a regular BMW 2 Series or 3 Series, you’ll be disappointed. However, while the Active Tourer doesn’t offer the thrilling drive of most BMWs, it’s far from a duffer.

Body control is good, the ride is firm but not jarring, and every model – even the 220i – has respectable performance. With slick transmissions and sharp (if rather light) steering, the Active Tourer is easy to drive, but unrewarding.

Which one should I buy?

Most of the Active Tourers up for sale are plug-in hybrids (the 225e accounts for half of the cars available), whereas there are very few diesels; just one in 20 is a 218d.

Don’t dismiss a diesel too readily if you do lots of motorway miles (all are Euro 6-compliant, so clean air zone-friendly), but the plug-in hybrids are perfect for anyone who does lots of shorter journeys, especially if they’re in traffic.

Three trim levels are available: Sport, Luxury, and M Sport. The Sport comes with 17-inch alloys, an electric tailgate, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and navigation. The Luxury adds artificial leather trim and heated sports seats with a greater range of adjustment. The top M Sport adds keyless entry, Alcantara trim inserts, adaptive LED headlights and wireless phone charging.

Alternatives to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Even as a used buy, the Active Tourer doesn’t have many rivals. Only the Mercedes B-Class comes close in terms of quality, but it’s more of a roomy hatchback than a true MPV. However, it’s practical and good to drive and, like the BMW, it comes only as a five-seater.

If you want seven seats, look at a VW Touran, although the Mk2 was launched just after the Mk1 Active Tourer, so it doesn’t feel as modern. There are plenty of them around, though, with a great choice of engines. Other older MPVs worth considering include the Ford S-Max and C-Max/Grand C-Max, along with the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer, which are brilliantly practical, but not so modern inside.

What to look for

On the range

The PHEVs are claimed to be capable of up to 55 miles or so in electric mode with a potential average of up to 353mpg. In the real world, you should expect closer to 45 miles and 50-70mpg depending on your driving style.

Reliability

Scouring owners’ forums for this model doesn’t reveal any fault patterns at all. Even the software glitches that afflict so many new cars don’t seem to be an issue for owners of the 2 Series Active Tourer.

On the pull

If you’re aiming to tow a small caravan or trailer with your Active Tourer, you can. Whereas the 218d, 220i and 223i editions are limited to 1,300kg, the 225e and 230e can pull up to 1,400kg.

Peace of mind

The Active Tourer comes with a three-year warranty with no mileage limit. Bonus points if you can find a car with the balance of the five-year or 62,000-mile Service Inclusive maintenance package.

Interior

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This is where the Active Tourer shines. It’s well made and easy to live with, although a few more buttons wouldn’t go amiss – too much is controlled through the infotainment system, although it works brilliantly. There’s lots of space, the angle of the rear-seat back rest is adjustable, and the boot ranges from 415 to 470 litres, depending on model.

Running costs

Officially you can squeeze up to 47 miles out every gallon in the 220i and 223i; the 218d gives up to 58mpg. Insurance groups range from 22 (218d) to 33 (230e), with the 225e in groups 27 or 30 depending on trim.

Most Active Tourers cost under £40,000 new, but some plug-in hybrids cost more, so the road tax on them is £620 for the first six years.

The 2 Series Active Tourer has Condition-Based Servicing that flags up when maintenance is required. With normal driving, an oil service is due every 16,000 miles or so, and as

a rule of thumb you’ll pay £209-£231 for this (depending on engine); an oil and filter change costs £326-£348. With new air and fuel filters, this jumps to £598-£663, while fresh brake fluid is required every other year at £152. All engines are chain-driven, so there are no cambelts to replace.

Recalls

BMW has recalled the 2 Series Active Tourer nine times so far. The first two actions came in May and October 2022, because of faulty airbag software. Recall three came in May 2023, because some cars had rear seatbelt problems.

There were four recalls in 2024, the first three due to brake servo problems. The first came in March because of hardware glitches, the second was due to contamination of electrical contacts, and the third was down to faulty welds in the servo. The fourth, in November 2024 was because some front-end panels weren’t fitted correctly on the production line.

There have been two recalls in 2025. The first, in July, was due to poor earths for the hybrid battery, and the second, in September, was because of faulty front seatbelts.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

As a relatively niche model, the 2 Series Active Tourer hasn’t appeared in any of our surveys, although the 2 Series coupé has. This year the second-generation 2 Series made its Driver Power survey debut in an impressive 10th place. Owners especially love the navigation systems and driving experience, with first and second places respectively, but there are plenty of other top-10 scores. Not quite so impressively, BMW came 14th out of 32 entries in our 2024 Brands survey.

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