BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer: Versatile Design, Real-World Charm

When BMW launched the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer back in 2014, a few of us purists clutched our pearls. Front-wheel drive? A compact MPV from Munich? Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first. Then I lived with one for a week—school runs, a rainy hardware-store dash, a quick blast down a country B-road—and it clicked. This premium people-mover makes everyday life easier without losing the BMW feeling, and that’s the whole point.

Why the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer Still Works in 2025

This compact MPV (call it a premium small family car if “MPV” makes you think airport shuttle) nails the everyday stuff: sliding rear bench, tall doors for easy child-seat installs, a big boot, and visibility that takes the stress out of tight parking garages. The driving position is more upright than a typical BMW, but you get used to it quickly—especially when you realize you can see around SUVs instead of peering through them.

• Flexible seating: a sliding, split-fold rear bench that genuinely changes the car’s mission in seconds.
• Boot space: around 468 liters with the seats up in most trims, enough for a stroller and the weekly shop.
• Quality feel: proper BMW switchgear, solid door thunks, and iDrive that’s still intuitive today.
• City-friendly: light steering at low speeds, tight-ish turning circle, big glass area.

Quirks? Sure. The A-pillars are chunky and create a small blind spot at roundabouts, and with 18-inch wheels and run-flat tires, the ride can get a touch fidgety over broken tarmac. Early cars didn’t all get Apple CarPlay (it arrived later and was optional), so check the spec list if that matters to you.

Engines and Real-World Performance in the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer

Under the hood, the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer spans a sensible lineup of petrols, diesels, and one very appealing plug-in hybrid. I’ve driven the 218i (1.5-liter three-cylinder), the 220i (2.0-liter four), the 220d diesel, and the 225xe PHEV. The surprise? They all suit the car, just in different moods.

• 218i (1.5 turbo, ~136 hp): Cheerful and efficient. 0–62 mph around 9 seconds. Sounds a bit thrummy when pushed but feels willing.
• 220i (2.0 turbo, ~192 hp): The sweet spot for punch. 0–62 mph in the low-7s. Feels properly brisk merging onto motorways.
• 220d (2.0 diesel, ~190 hp): Long-legged and frugal. Expect 45–55 mpg (US: high 30s to low 40s) on steady runs. Torque makes light work of family loads.
• 225xe Plug-in Hybrid (1.5 turbo + e-motor, ~221 hp): Quiet city running and all-weather traction. Real-world electric range is roughly 20–30 miles depending on spec and conditions. 0–62 mph around 6.7 seconds—sneaky quick.

The 225xe is the engineer’s party trick: petrol power up front, an electric motor on the rear axle, and e-AWD when both are working. In the wet, it claws out of junctions like a small hot hatch. The trade-off is a slightly smaller boot thanks to the battery. As for transmissions, BMW’s automatic boxes are smooth and well-calibrated; I found the dual-clutch on smaller engines occasionally hesitant in stop-and-go traffic, but it’s minor.

Interior and Family Practicality of the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer

Inside, you get the grown-up part of the BMW experience: clean design, decent materials, and an infotainment system that’s aged nicely. The iDrive controller remains the best way to use a screen when the road’s bumpy—no jabby, smudgy touchscreen roulette required. I noticed right away that the cabin is quiet enough to hear your kids fighting in the back, which is both a compliment and, well, a parental hazard.

• Optional head-up display and driver aids (adaptive cruise, lane assist, parking camera).
• Supportive seats by default; sport seats add proper bolstering for spirited runs.
• Panoramic roof brightens the cabin but nibbles at rear headroom—try before you buy if you’re tall.
• Plenty of storage for travel cups, snack packs, and the inevitable USB spaghetti.

One nitpick: the climate controls sit low, and with gloves on (hello, ski trips), the small buttons can be fiddly. Also, if you opt for the third rear seatbelt across a sliding bench, make sure the latch doesn’t clash with child-seat bases—two owners mentioned this to me and it’s worth checking in person.

BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer vs Rivals

The compact premium-MPV crowd isn’t huge, but there are solid alternatives. Here’s how the F45 stacks up:

Competitors might edge it on absolute space (Golf Sportsvan) or cushiness (B-Class), but the F45 still feels the most “driver’s car” of the lot. If you actually enjoy driving, your choice narrows.

Running Costs, Reliability, and What to Watch

I’ve seen mid-40s mpg (US: mid-30s) from the 220d on long motorway slogs. The 218i/220i petrols return high-30s to low-40s mpg if you behave. The 225xe can be extremely cheap to run if you plug in nightly; if you don’t, it becomes a fast, heavy hybrid that drinks like a regular petrol.

Service intervals are sensible, and BMW’s parts network is vast. Known niggles? A few owners have mentioned infotainment glitches on early cars (software updates help), and the usual run-flat tire harshness. If you’re buying used, drive it on truly rough roads—I bounced it over some neglected lanes and found that adaptive dampers make a noticeable difference. Worth seeking out.

The Best Floor Mats for a Family Life Well-Lived

Family cars live hard lives. Muddy football boots, soggy ski socks, rogue juice boxes—ask me how I know. Protecting the carpet in your BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer with properly fitting mats is a no-brainer, and I’ve had good experiences with custom-fit sets from Autowin. They’re trimmed to the floorpan, sit flat under the pedals, and have a backing that doesn’t creep forward when you’re heaving in a stroller.

Going skiing? Grab rubberized winter mats. Beach weekends? Same advice—sand is merciless. You can pick up the exact-fit set for the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer right here. They’re easy to hose off, and Autowin backs them with a satisfaction guarantee, which is comforting when your life includes wet Labradors.

Verdict: A Premium MPV That Doesn’t Forget to Drive

The BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer is one of those quietly brilliant cars that slips into your routine and takes the friction out. It’s not shouty, but it is clever, comfortable, and—crucially for a BMW—satisfying on a good road. If your life involves passengers, prams, or ski bags, yet you refuse to surrender the simple joy of a well-balanced chassis, this is the smart choice. Get a good spec, check those tires, and fit decent mats. Then just get on with living.

BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer: Quick FAQ

Is the BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer reliable?

Generally, yes. Routine servicing keeps the engines happy. Look for updated infotainment software and consider avoiding the harshest run-flat setups if you drive on poor roads.

Which engine is best?

The 220i balances performance and economy nicely; the 220d is a motorway star. If you can charge at home, the 225xe makes brilliant sense for urban commutes.

How practical is it compared to an SUV?

Very. The floor is lower (easier loading), and the sliding rear bench is more useful than most SUV back seats. You’ll only miss a bit of ride height and image.

Does it have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto?

Later cars often have Apple CarPlay; early models may need an option or software update. Android Auto arrived later and may not be present on early F45s—check the specific car.

Where can I get fitted floor mats?

Custom-fit sets for the BMW F45 are available from Autowin here. They’re tailored for this model and easy to clean.