Used BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review

Now only available as a used car, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is the largest car to wear the 2 Series badge. It’s a longer version of the Active Tourer, with two extra seats and much more versatility.

It’s not that surprising that the seven-seat Gran Tourer wasn’t replaced – its nearest rivals, the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer and the Renault Grand Scenic, have both been off-sale for a while. However, it means that if you want a seven-seat BMW, you’ll have to step up to the drastically more expensive X5 or X7 SUVs. Or, if you’re happy crossing the frontline and switching allegiances to Mercedes, the GLB offers seven seats in a reasonably compact and affordable package.

As you’d probably expect, the big daddy of the 2 Series range uses tried-and-tested BMW switchgear and screens – you’ll recognise the cabin from the previous 1 Series and 3 Series. While it’s not the most modern-looking, nor does it come with the ‘brave’ design of the Grand C4 SpaceTourer, it’s very intuitive to use and has a row of configurable shortcut buttons that can be used for your most-used features.

Build quality is a highlight, with even the cheapest materials feeling like they’ll last years of family life. No amount of trodden-in Quavers will damage the interior materials. Leather has been used on many of the touchpoints, and it feels much more premium than the likes of the Citroen and Renault. As you’d hope, given the blue-and-white badge on the steering wheel.

All cars enjoy parking sensors, sat nav, a powered tailgate and, on later models, LED headlights. SE opens the range, before you get to Sport, Luxury and M Sport versions.

Family life requires flexibility, and the 2 Series Gran Tourer outperforms the top gymnasts. Even without sliding rear doors, it’s pretty easy to get into the middle and back rows of seats. With the middle row slid forward, you can even get adults into the sixth and seventh seats – although we wouldn’t want to spend a long journey back there. Whoever’s sat in the second-row middle seat might feel a bit hard done by by the large transmission tunnel.

But every Gran Tourer comes with three Isofix points and individually folding seats, and even the front passenger seat can fold if the previous owner ticked this on the options list. Other options include tray tables and iPad holders, while big door bins and under-seat storage make the list as standard.

In people-carrier mode, the boot is small. You might get a couple of shopping bags or soft overnight holdalls in there but little else. As a five-seater there’s 560 litres of space – much more than the shorter 2 Series Active Tourer – and there’s up to 1,860 litres if you’re using the Gran Tourer as a two-seater van. Handily, there’s no load lip so it’s easy to load big stuff, and there’s a storage cubby to hide the load cover away when you’re not using it.

While the smaller 2 Series Active Tourer has always offered a plug-in hybrid option, it’s not available on the Gran Tourer. Petrol or diesel engines give a good breadth of performance and economy, though.

The three diesel engines offer fuel economy in the mid-fifties, which is impressive for a family bus. You’ll need to be doing a medium-to-high annual mileage to justify a diesel, however, and the two petrols should both manage 40mpg or so. The 216d diesel engine is best avoided as it feels short of power when you’re fully loaded with people and stuff, but the other engines are decent enough. Four-wheel drive is available on the range-topping 220d engine, but most buyers won’t need it.

Where are your expectations? The 2 Series Gran Tourer drives well for an MPV – it’s one of the best seven-seaters to drive, which is faint praise really. As long as you don’t expect it to handle like the 2 Series Coupe, you’ll get on fine with it.

The steering is sharp and light, which helps manoeuvrability at low speeds, and it’s stable and confident at higher speeds. Performance is strong from most of the engines and the ride quality is on the comfortable side of firm. It’s best if you avoid the allure of the M Sport trim with its bigger wheels and stiffer suspension.