Can the 2 Series Active Tourer’s package of compact MPV practicality and claimed “typical BMW driving dynamics” compete with today’s crossovers? Al Suttie reveals all in his weekly diary.

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List price (BiK): £37,210 (33%) CO2: 138g/km MPG: 46.3 Test efficiency: 43.4mpg

Monday

In this crazy mixed-up world of crossovers and SUVS, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is that rare thing – a straightforward, honest MPV. Nothing wrong with that in my book, though the model on test this week was also a simple petrol model in the form of a 223i. It has mild hybrid tech, but most fleet users will likely err towards the plug-in versions of this model, so let’s see how the petrol stacks up over the next seven days.

Tuesday

The side profile of the 2 Series Active Tourer is fine and shows the compact size of the car, but the front end is more divisive. My kids love it, but my wife wonders why such a big grille is needed and refers to our old 3 Series Touring as a much more elegant-looking car. I’m somewhere in the middle and have a sneaky liking for the Active Tourer’s toothy frontal appearance.

Wednesday

Looks aside, there’s nothing wrong with the amount of space inside the 223i Active Tourer. My son and his chums jump in and have loads of room for their lanky frames on the way to football training this evening. The standard Alcantara and Sensatec upholstery is also mercifully easy to brush clean afterwards from their muddy footy kit.

Thursday

BMW has put the centre console of the Active Tourer up high, but it foregoes the iDrive controller of past BMWs and I miss it. Sure, the infotainment’s touchscreen is among the best I’ve used, but the rotary controller was easily the best in the business and I’m not sure what’s been gained from ditching it. Still, the tiny gear lever selector works just fine.

Friday

A few days in and the way this compact people carrier drives is impressive. It threw me initially as I’d expected something along the lines of a typical MPV, but the Active Tourer in M Sport guise handles superbly. There’s little body lean, fantastic grip, and steering with lots of feel. Coupled to the 223’s 218hp engine and 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds, it’s something of a hot hatch in disguise.

Saturday

Despite making good use of the 223i’s performance and handling on some local back roads, the car has turned in 43.4mpg on average. That’s not far off the official claimed combined, so a slightly gentler approach from me would see it on the button. Of course, a 225e for similar money would hugely increase that and slash emissions and BiK payments, so it’s hard to justify the 223i on cost grounds.

Sunday

As a practical choice for a fleet driver, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is maybe less obvious than the flurry of crossovers and SUVs on the market. However, the BMW drives superbly and, in 223i form, is quick. However, it’s very hard to consider this particular version when there’s a plug-in hybrid model with significantly lower running costs in the shape of the 225e.