• Good spread of engines to choose from
• Fixed-price servicing packages on offer
• Hybrid could work out very cheap to run

Opt for the Service Inclusive Pack and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer running costs promise to be incredibly low, the deal covering the car’s general maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles – down from five years and 50,000 miles when the Active Tourer was launched.

Add to that a range of efficient engines – after all the 2 Series Active Tourer isn’t built for speed – and this compact people carrier package starts to shape up nicely.

EfficientDynamics technology is used throughout the car, from ultra-high tensile steel and an aluminium bonnet to make the car stiffer and lighter to the usual stop/start, brake energy recuperation and an integral Aero Curtain, which uses air inlets at the front to direct air into the most efficient path.

Plug-in hybrid BMW 225xe Active Tourer for lowest-possible costs

In February 2016 BMW introduced the plug-in hybrid 225xe, which offers incredibly favourable running costs if your situation allows for regular charging – especially so if you’ve paid extra for a BMW iWallbox rapid charger. It’s possible to charge with model in one-and-a-half hours (following the 2018 facelift – pre-update cars take two hours twenty) using BMW’s charge point.

A domestic three-pin plug takes longer, but it won’t double the recharge time, making this a particularly useable PHEV.

The claimed fuel economy figure of 113mpg (on the new WLTP economy cycle) is a little optimistic given this figure will vary massively based on usage, but that plus the 57g/km CO2 output still mean it qualifies for very low company car tax and favourable VED rates – though these are rapidly changing to reflect the new-found popularity of such vehicles.

From 2016, the 225xe plug-in hybrid joined the range and changed the game in respect of emissions, offering buyers a claimed CO2 output of 46g/km in some specifications.

That headline figure translates to 57g/km once the new WLTP emissions testing regulations are taken into account, however. Not a huge change, but certainly more representative of real-world use.

The worst CO2 output comes from the quickest Active Tourer – the 220i emits 134g/km, which still isn’t the end of the world.

• Should prove dependable
• Tried-and-tested tech
• No horror stories

This is the first time the firm has made a front-wheel drive car, though it shares much of the tech below the bodyshell with plenty of other BMW or MINI models, so we can expect BMW 2 Series Active Tourer reliability to be very good.

Certainly the engines – including the three-cylinder petrol – have already seen service in different MINIs, so despite the new (for a BMW-branded product) transverse layout it’s already a proven engineering solution without any major reliability issues reported so far.

The 2 Series Active Tourer is designed as a family vehicle, and as such will be used hard – especially inside. There’s obviously more of a bent towards luxurious materials and trimmings than in its more mainstream rivals (think Ford C-Max and Citroen C4 SpaceTourer) but nothing feels flimsy or likely to break. Plus leather is easier to wipe clean too.

We’ve heard nothing concerning to date here, in owners’ reviews or indeed on the DVSA’s recall website.