89 MOTORING ROAD TESTS BY MARK SLACK BMW 2-SERIES ACTIVE TOURER
IT’S A BMW BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT!
Active Tourer seem a little out of place within the range. However, it’s aimed at buyers who would perhaps not normally consider a BMW. It is a cross between a compact MPV (there’s a term you don’t hear nowadays) and spacious hatchback. Offered in petrol, diesel or plug-in and mild hybrid
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form, prices start from £31,285 and encompass three trim levels. The lead-in model comes with LED lights, automatic tailgate, navigation, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and parking assistant. Power comes from a choice of 1.5 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and a 2.0-litre diesel. To be honest, the exterior of the 2-Series Active Tourer looks fairly ordinary but take a seat inside though and things take a surprising turn. It is very similar to the interior of the new iX all-electric and looks very smart and very premium. It’s spacious and practical thanks to excellent seat adjustment, sliding rear seats and a layout that just feels very airy. Although the inevitable march of cockpit digitisation
has removed most buttons and switches BMW’s system is one of the more intuitive, and easy to use with clear graphics and, what buttons and switches remain, operate with a crisp positivity lacking in cheaper cars. On the road my Luxury trim 220i weighed in at
he premium German car maker is known for its sporting saloons and tourers, sleek sports cars and muscular SUVs. Which makes the 2-Series
£39,479 but to be fair that included the test car’s £7k of options Upgrades ranged from a HarmanKardon surround sound system to a panoramic opening glass roof. Standard fare is far from minimal with heated sports seats, wireless charging, climate control, smart phone integration, head-up display, auto lights and dimming mirrors. The 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol engine is
mated to a 7-speed automatic and benefits from mild- hybrid technology. It’s an incredibly smooth drive and unlike so many 3-cylinder units there’s none of the usual thrum from this type of engine unless you really push the revs. With 156 hp the benchmark 62 mph is reach in 8.1 seconds so, while not the fastest machine, it’s more than capable of picking up its feet when required. It provides a genuinely practical family vehicle that
carries the famous BMW roundel, and although it may not be the most affordable choice it feels and drives very premium. It may be an old adage but you get what you pay for in all things, and cars are no exception.
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID A MORE INTELLIGENT CHOICE H
onda’s Civic has been celebrating its 50th year and 11th generation as one of the Japanese car maker’s most iconic models. As with
most cars from all manufacturers, the rise of the SUV means that hatchbacks are not as popular as they once were but the Civic remains a clever and different choice. In its newest form, and with hybrid power, it still possesses the quality build for which Honda has become renowned. The car maker has taken an
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