BMW 'people carrier' a mix of luxury and practicality

It is the first BMW to have front-wheel drive and an engine fitted transversely.

And as it is based on the architecture that underpins the new Mini, we can expect to see a lot more Beemers with this set-up.

However, for some reason they went and called it the 2-series Active Tourer. I think that is confusing.

My advice is to pass no remarks on such words and regard it for what it is: a people carrier, plain and simple. We used to call them MPVs, remember?

For all the history being made, this BMW front-wheel-drive people carrier (I'm repeating it for emphasis) is one of the most low-key cars I've come across in quite a while.

It looks small and uninteresting on the outside. All the action takes place inside. Once in the cabin, you suddenly have a big, roomy area with a lot of ways to give you more, or less, passenger or luggage space depending on what you want.

There's a grand boot and under it lurks 70 litres of storage space.

Not to mention a plethora of smaller storage slots around the cabin.

The rear seat can be folded 40/20/40 and can slide forward 130mm - and the backrests adjust for different angles.

All of this increases the luggage capacity from 420 litres, or can make for a good deal more knee-room for those using the back seats.

The middle-rear seat isn't as big as the others but there is room for a family of five (so long as the one to occupy that seat is a toddler).

Part of the inner surprise too is the height of the ceiling - making it so much easier to get in and out.

I felt the quality of materials in my test car made a huge difference to my sense of being a bit cosseted.

I admit leather will enhance that sort of feeling in any cabin but I've driven other versions too and I've left them feeling I'd been driving something with a bit of class to it.

You do get a lot of practicality with the scent of luxury. But I would be wary, if I were you, of the colour of material/carpeting I'd have on the floor.

Mine showed up every little bit of dirt - and there was a lot. Go for something dark/neutral and hard wearing.

I do think you will like the driving position and where they have instruments, dials etc.

The central iDrive knob is now, finally, I think, idiot proof in terms of getting it to find and issue commands to the display screen.

However, I was not impressed with the view out the back. The rear wiper sweeps from the top rather than bottom. It leaves a fair bit of screen untouched.

I know this is a huge difficulty with all tailgates and is by no means a mortal sin on BMW's behalf. But it is a vital, if challenging, area and I think one that warrants more attention.

The element that disappointed me most was under the bonnet.

I felt the 218d diesel engine (1,995cc, 150bhp) was noisier than I'd like in a BMW.

It certainly did not impact on my motorway/country drives but around town and in the lower-gear traffic I noticed it even with the excellent automatic transmission.

I am loath to get into too much technical detail/critique, however, because I'm convinced that it is not going to make too much difference to those most likely to buy one of these.

The research suggests they will be younger couples, those downsizing, or families using it as a second car.

In other words the likes of those currently driving a Mercedes B-Class or Ford's C-Max or Citroen Picasso for example.

As well as the posh BMW badge, they primarily need room, convenience, comfort and plenty of space to cater for passengers and their accoutrements.

Somehow, I don't think they'll get too uptight about an engine that could be a tad quieter or a suspension that might be a bit sportier than they are used to.

All the better too if it happens to have a few 'firsts' under its skin.

Being among the first to own a front-wheel-drive Beemer with a transverse engine brings its own little set of bragging rights, you know.

The facts and figures

BMW 2-series Active Tourer 218d (1,995cc, diesel, 150bhp, 4.3l/100km). Road tax is €190/€200 depending on specific model.

Prices for the 2-series Active Tourer range start from €32,530 on the road for the 218i petrol people carrier.

The diesel 218d Luxury version - my test car - costs from €37,340. Options and extras bring it to a total of €48,898.

Standard equipment includes a big array of safety equipment and technologies.

These include several airbags and systems that reduce and avert the risk of skidding and other accidents.

Equipment on the lavishly bedecked version I had on test included the likes of beige Dakota leather, Park Distance Control (PDC), cruise control with brake function, reversing assist camera, adaptive LED headlights, Navigation Plus package, BMW online service etc.

My side of the road

FOR once, I'm not going to have a go at people who use the phone at the wheel. But I am going to raise a problem I have with people who use their phones - at the trolley.

They (men and women) come out from the shops after loading up with all sorts, and proceed with their ears glued to the phone.

They seem to lose all sense of direction or manners.

Totally engrossed in their conversation, they thrust the trolley in front of other pedestrians, other cars, disregard rights-of-way and on occasion give a nearby parked car a close shave or two. I've seen the odd bumper-scratch too. Then, with the contents emptied in a flurry, and still engrossed, they hurriedly push the trolley across the paths of oncoming cars and pedestrians again.

I think cars 'pick up' a good few scratches in car parks and I think 'trolley texters' are to blame for a share of them.

Any opinions?

ecunningham@independent.ie