You won’t find the initialism MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) in any of BMW’s literature, on its website, or on the lips of its sales staff. The German firm really is keen to disassociate its BMW 2 Series Active Tourer from old-school people carriers that put space above dynamicism.

But rest assured, the 2 Series Active Tourer is a super-sensible people hauler suitable for multiple purposes. There’s loads of room for things and passengers, a strong engine lineup and it’s even pretty fun to drive. Unlike some companies, BMW isn’t shying away from diesel either, with an oil-burner joining a pair of petrol engines and plug-in hybrid power.

We’ve certainly spent loads of time in the 2 Series Active Tourer, having driven several examples during launch events, as well as more thoroughly in our four-month long-term test in the hands of our New Cars Editor Alan Taylor-Jones (and his young family). With that hands-on experience, we can compare it most effectively with is small pool of rivals.

Those cars can now be counted on the fongers of one hand, thanks to the rise of the all-conquering family SUV. The Active Tourer’s biggest foe is the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, while other MPVs such as the Volkswagen Multivan will also crop up on shopping lists. Small and premium SUVs, such as the Audi Q2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA are also vying for drivers’ monthly payments.

If you’re a current BMW driver who’s looking for something that’s easy to get in and out of or that will easily swallow child seats in the rear, the 2 Series Active Tourer is a rational option. If you’d prefer something similarly flexible and spacious but can’t get over the MPV image, try the closely related BMW X1.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and rating them in our verdict. You can find out more about how we test on Parkers via our dedicated explainer page and our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you to run.

Watch our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review