Verdict: Spacious, frugal, cheap to run
Company Car Review of the BMW 218d Sport Active Tourer
What is it?
BMW’s first front-drive car and first MPV, offering boot space similar to a 3-Series Tourer (468 litres), with the interior room of a 7-Series.
Why front-wheel drive you might ask? Well, the success of the MINI brand has made Munich think again about its previously rear-drive only policy.
However, the 2-Series Active Tourer has more in common with the MINI than just front drive. It shares the new UKL1 underpinnings and the choice of diesel and petrol engines too.
At launch there will be the choice of 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel from the MINI Cooper D, fitted in the 218d that we are reviewing here and the 218i with the 138bhp three-cylinder 1.5-lire turbo petrol from the Cooper.
Later this year, 220i, 216d, 220d and finally 220d xDrive four-wheel drive versions will be launched to take the fight to the key opposition in the form of the Mercedes B-Class.
