Photo: Florin Profir
After launching the 2 Series Active Tourer as their first sort-of MPV and front-wheel drive car, the Germans from Munich are once again taking on a new premium niche with the 7-seat version, the 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Testing this car felt like a really weird, continuous, deja vu due to the fact that we had already driven its smaller brother. The difference between the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer models lies in the back. The car we had for testing purposes offers two more seats.
Of course, the three-row layout also brought a couple more changes in the styling of the car, along with an increase in wheelbase and total length. That being said, the Gran Tourer is a bit weird to look at from the outside if you're used to the Active Tourer. However, to our eyes, it looks slightly better.
Inside, the larger model has the upper hand. It offers more space and more modularity, the second row of seats being foldable in a 40:20:40 ratio if you tick the right boxes (yes, it's not standard). The third row of seats offers plenty of space for children but even grown people can sit tight in there, for shorter trips, of course.
You get your own cup holders back there and BMW even designed a unique infotainment system for kids, called myKIDIO. That's an expensive optional feature, but it might be worth the investments to keep the scoundrels off your back on longer trips.
Under the bonnet, you get a choice of BMW's newest engines. The range goes from 1.5-liter 3-cylinder diesel and petrol models to 2-liter 4-cylinder ones with plenty of punch. Our tester was the 220d xDrive model that has 190 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal as well as all-wheel drive.
This is also one of the few cars in the range that can be had with an automatic 8-speed gearbox from Aisin. It's a decent piece of kit that does it's job nicely most of the time but compared to the ZF unit, it still has some ground to cover.
What do we mean about that? Well, you're going to have to read our full 2015 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review to find out but we think it's worth your time.
Of course, the three-row layout also brought a couple more changes in the styling of the car, along with an increase in wheelbase and total length. That being said, the Gran Tourer is a bit weird to look at from the outside if you're used to the Active Tourer. However, to our eyes, it looks slightly better.
Inside, the larger model has the upper hand. It offers more space and more modularity, the second row of seats being foldable in a 40:20:40 ratio if you tick the right boxes (yes, it's not standard). The third row of seats offers plenty of space for children but even grown people can sit tight in there, for shorter trips, of course.
You get your own cup holders back there and BMW even designed a unique infotainment system for kids, called myKIDIO. That's an expensive optional feature, but it might be worth the investments to keep the scoundrels off your back on longer trips.
Under the bonnet, you get a choice of BMW's newest engines. The range goes from 1.5-liter 3-cylinder diesel and petrol models to 2-liter 4-cylinder ones with plenty of punch. Our tester was the 220d xDrive model that has 190 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal as well as all-wheel drive.
This is also one of the few cars in the range that can be had with an automatic 8-speed gearbox from Aisin. It's a decent piece of kit that does it's job nicely most of the time but compared to the ZF unit, it still has some ground to cover.
What do we mean about that? Well, you're going to have to read our full 2015 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review to find out but we think it's worth your time.
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