Should you buy one?

Yes. The elephant in the room might be the styling. Its tall shape is great for headroom and sitting in, but it doesn’t lend itself to a desirable silhouette. BMW’s continued use of the MPV shape is a win for sensibility in the face of the SUVs pretty much taking over this segment.

If you’re after an MPV, and not an SUV, the 2 Series Active Tourer is easy to recommend, and you should buy one. Importantly, it’s better to drive and has a nicer interior than a Mercedes B-Class or Citroen C4 and it’s a bit more practical than an Audi Q2.

After 3,400 miles in a 220i, our New Cars Editor Alan Taylor-Jones concluded: ‘we appreciated the high-quality interior and relatively dynamic drive the blue and white roundel brings, but you’re undoubtedly paying that bit more for a premium name. So, with that in mind, while we can happily recommend the 2 Series Active Tourer over similarly priced premium-badged SUVs, those after maximum practicality should strongly consider a seven-seat Volkswagen Touran or Caddy instead.’

What we like

The level of standard equipment is excellent and the tech top-notch. Broadly, the interior is a lovely place to spend time too and the new infotainment is swish and easy to use. Of course it’s practical too. Getting in and out is a doddle and loading people into the rear is equally as easy.

What we don’t like

Its looks are a bit 2009 and the ride can be bumpy at low speeds. The PHEV is impressive but pricey, plus we wonder how many people really want a 330hp MPV? Then there’s the infotainment. It’s super modern and is broadly easy to use, but how much tech does a typical MPV buyer want?

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