BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

The seven-seater BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a people carrier for parents whose children have busier lives than they do. Some cars are bought for pleasure while others are just a tool for the job. This is the latter.
 
Of course, there's nothing wrong with that. You just won't get that warm glow of pride when you have this parked outside the house. Mind you, you won't be ashamed of it either; it is carrying a prestigious BMW badge after all.

You see, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is for folks like me, and possibly for people like you: parents whose children have busier lives than we do. It is the car for mothers and fathers who need to drive their offspring to nursery, school and the multitude of extracurricular children's activities we feel press-ganged into attending. The car does what it says on the tin: it is a people carrier – and it does the job well.

You have rear seats for three-up and, behind these, you can pop two extra chairs up if more ankle biters need a lift. However, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer could do with sliding rear doors, which would make getting in and out easier if you're parked in a tight space. Once the children are dropped off, you can actually have a bit of a ball driving this.

Oh, it'll cosset you alright if you go for the model I drove: the fully loaded, 218i 1499cc three-cylinder petrol Luxury trimmed model. But, the BMW’s near-perfect balance and precise steering mean you can also chuck the car around bends and indulge in being in the ‘ultimate driving machine’.

Indeed, the 218i’s little engine works hard and, allied to a decent manual gearbox, it pulls you along the straights competently, too. It is an economical motor, as well. Official figures on my BMW said I'd get 53.3 mpg on the combined rural/urban cycle. Well, even though I've been driving with a lead foot all week, I still averaged high 40's. Not bad for a petrol powered car.

The cost of the BMW 218i Luxury model is high, though; it retails at £26,175. That's a fair lump of dough, although, to be fair, a top trim people carrier such as a fully kitted out and slightly bigger Peugeot 5008 will cost near that.

There are no doubt families will benefit from the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, what with little touches like removable picnic tables built into the front seatbacks. There are also numerous ways you can configure the seating.
 
So, if you are a would-be people carrier owner and you like an entertaining drive, only a Ford C-Max or S-Max will offer similar – but you and I know the Blue Oval badge won’t carry nearly as much sway as a BMW logo at the school gates.
 
 
PROS AND CONS
•Refinement v
•Power v
•Comfort v
•Equipment v
•Costly to buy  X 
 
FAST FACTS
•Max speed: 127 mph
•0-62 mph: 9.8 secs
•Combined mpg: 53.3
•Engine: 1499cc 3 cylinder 12 valve petrol
•Max. power (bhp): 134 
•Max. torque (lb.ft): 162
•CO2: 123 g/km
•Price: £26,175


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