BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
The BMW 2 series is such a popular range, which showcases everything that the German brand does well. The Gran Coupe is a great option for people that are looking for a smaller model, but if you need something a bit roomier, the Gran Tourer will probably be a much better fit.
When BMW first released the 2 Series Active Tourer, a lot of fans were surprised that they moved away from their typical rear wheel layout, but it was well received. The Gran Tourer is essentially an extended version of that car, offering more interior room and seven seats instead of five.
It comes with the choice of two petrol engines and three diesel engines, and there is an all wheel drive option as well. Read on to find out how the 2 Series Gran Tourer drives, what the interior is like, and how the price compares to its rivals.
Performance and Build
Of all of the engine options, the 218i petrol engine gives the smoothest ride. You get a lot less vibration coming back through the controls than you do with some of the other diesel options. However, it still gives you power when you need it. The diesel options also give you plenty of punch, but they do struggle a bit when faced with a steep incline.
The standard suspension is adequate and handles tight turns well, but it is a bit of a bumpy ride if you are on poorly maintained roads. The steering is very responsive, especially when compared to other 7 seaters on the market, but it doesn’t hold up to the 5 seater Active Tourer.
The build quality is, as expected from BMW, very good and the Gran Tourer is very reliable. As long as you find a good BMW Service Centre, you shouldn’t have any maintenance issues.
Interiors
The Gran Tourer has the same interior layout as the Active Tourer, which is not great for front three quarter visibility from the drivers perspective. However, it does have better over the shoulder visibility than other 2 series models. The driving position is a little awkward in the Gran Tourer on the manual version because the pedals are slightly offset to one side. You can get used to this after a while but it is a problem for some people. The quality of the interior is, overall, very good although some of the controls feel a little cheap.
Price
The series 2 Gran Tourer looks very expensive as it has high quality interiors, good standard features, and an economical engine. Compared with rivals like the Volkswagen Touran, for example, the Gran Tourer feels a lot more expensive and high quality, particularly on the inside. Although it isn’t the cheapest 7 seater on the market, it is very competitively priced and you get a better car for your money when compared with its closest rivals.