BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer Review 2023 | heycar

In 2015, the front-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer arrived, as the seven-seat alternative to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer five-seat MPV. This BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review talks through the longer wheelbase and taller rear end that sets the Gran Tourer apart from its Active Tourer sibling.

People carriers in general are something of a niche sector these days. But of BMW’s two MPVs, the Gran Tourer makes most sense because of its three-row capability. The alternative BMW X1 only seats five, for example, and you need to spend much more for a BMW SUV that can accommodate seven.

Visually, it’s a bit nondescript. That’s almost inevitable with MPVs, which are designed for maximum interior space first and foremost. It still gets the classic kidney grille, though, and BMW offers some sporty-looking variants with large alloy wheels and smart trim details.

Inside, it’s more authentically BMW. It has a contemporary layout similar to the brand’s other models, with the trademark widescreen infotainment system and a good-to-hold steering wheel. The instruments are clear and the rest of the layout is logical. The seats in M Sport versions are among the best you will find in any seven-seater, feeling more like those from a BMW M sports car than a family-focused people carrier.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer ranks highly for interior practicality. The middle row of seats is adjustable, sliding back and forth and offering adjustable backrest angles. The seats are easy to get in and out of too. The third row is much more restricted and frankly doesn’t offer adult-friendly space, despite the bulkier rear roof line. But for kids, they’re fine, and fold flat into the boot floor when not needed.

Inside, there are loads of little cubby holes and stowage slots, and BMW even offers a fold-flat front passenger seat so really long loads can be threaded in with all the rear seats folded. The electric tailgate is convenient too, particularly as it can be opened via the key fob remote: perfect for parents with full hands and excitable children.

There’s no such thing as a poorly-equipped BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. Even the standard SE variant comes with a great haul of standard equipment, including BMW iDrive sat nav, dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels and automatic headlights. Moving up through the range brings leather upholstery and bigger alloy wheels, but the differences are largely visual, so well-stocked is the base model.

All the engines are turbocharged units, with either three or four cylinders. This is the era of vehicle that majored on diesel power, with a broad range of choices ranging from entry-level 216d through to the 220d, which came with an xDrive four-wheel-drive option alongside the regular front-wheel drive. The 218i and 220i petrol versions are rarer, but worth searching for.

Although the lower-powered versions are not exactly rocket ships, it’s still a surprisingly authentic BMW to drive. That’s thanks largely to its excellent handling, with genuinely engaging dynamics, including roll-free handling and nicely-weighted precise steering. The ride is on the firm side for an MPV, but still on the right side of comfortable unless you choose the models with the largest alloy wheels. We can almost guarantee the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer will drive much better than you might expect.

Being a premium car, prices were on the steep side for seven-seat MPVs when new, but a few years on, the 2 Series Gran Tourer is looking much better value for money – particularly if you take one of the fancied Sport or M Sport variants. With BMW’s sophisticated engines serving up great fuel economy and low tax bills, it shouldn’t prove too costly to run either.