BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

BMW thought that its extensive list of names wasn’t enough… the Sport Hatch, Coupé, Convertible, Active Tourer, Saloon, Touring, Gran Turismo, Gran Coupé and Roadster.

So to make things more complicated, they’ve added a Gran Tourer, not to be confused with the Gran Turismo, Gran Coupé or Touring. It’s the complete end of the spectrum. It’s BMW’s front-wheel drive 7-seater MPV.

What is it then?

In essence, it’s just a 7-seater version of the 5-seater 2 Series Active Tourer MPV. ‘Gran’ just signifying a bigger presence, as with the Gran Coupé and Gran Turismo.

The second row of seats slide by 13cm to increase either leg room of the mid-row passengers, leg room of the third-row passengers, or boot space. The third row folds flat into the floor to give a perfectly flat loading bay. As a result of the flexibility, you can fit 5 baby seats in the mid- and third-row seats with ease.

Engines

BMW is keen to promote the fact that the 2 Series Gran Tourer is the only vehicle in its class that boasts all-wheel drive (on xDrive models only, obviously). In this model, 3- and 4-cylinder engines are available, twinned with 6-speed manual and 6- or 8-speed Steptronic auto ‘boxes. Stop Start in fitted to all choices, and an auto coasting function is present in the auto ‘boxes to improve efficiency.

On offer will be the:

• 218i – 1.5l 3-cyl
• 220i – 2.0l 4-cyl
• 216d – 1.5l 3-cyl
• 218d – 2.0l 4-cyl
• 220d xDrive – 2.0l 4-cyl

It’s obvious that this car is more about efficiency and practicality than showing off and sporty looks, even though it doesn’t look bad at all.

The most efficient engine is the 216d returning 68.9 mpg and emitting 108 g/km of CO2. Shame they couldn’t get it to a sub-100 figure, that would’ve made it an extremely attractive proposal.

The 220d xDrive does the 0-62 mph sprint in 7.8s, whereas the 220i does it in 7.9s (but 7.8s with an automatic transmission). They get 190 bhp and 192 bhp respectively. The 220d xDrive has 400Nm of torque – way more than the other models with the nearest at 330Nm.

Practicality and Size

Seats folded down, the boot extends to a cavernous 1,820l, but even with the third row up, there’s still 560l! To fold down the mid row, you can either do it the standard way by tugging at the seat-backs, or show off to your friends and press buttons in the boot to operate the 40:20:40 split folding seats.

Ok, so the third row fold flat into the boot floor, the mid row fold down flat, but also, the front passenger seat’s back folds down to allow you to carry extra long items of up to 2.6m. What a lovely touch, especially for those interested in DIY.

The Gran Tourer is just over 20cm longer than the Active Tourer, so isn’t too much more demanding around town over the Active Tourer.

BMW is (rightfully) proud of the door bins in the 2 Series Gran Tourer which will accommodate large 1.5l bottles and the hinged compartments under the front seats. It’s obvious that the main focus is to make fitting a large family and all its paraphernalia into a not-so-massive family car.

As regards practicality entering the third row of seats, well, that’s covered too. BMW’s ‘Easy Entry’ allows the mid-row seats to tilt and slide forward (similar to that of the Seat Alhambra). Even the two people in the very back get their own centre console, cup holders and a 12V socket.

Trim Levels

From introduction, the SE, Sport, Luxury and M Sport will be offered.

Standard kit includes an infotainment system with a 6.5″ colour display incorporating AM/FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity and iDrive. Dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors are paired with plenty of safety equipment.

Pricing

The petrols kick off at £24,175 for the 218i, and the diesels start at £25,110 for the 216d.

Competitors

To me, there are four different types of 7-seaters. The van-based ones, the small MPV that has been turned into a 7-seater (this), the one that was designed to be a 7-seater from the beginning, and the SUV which just so happens to have 7 seats. Here’s some of its rivals anyway:

Van-based 7-seaters

• Citroën Berlingo Multispace
• Fiat Doblò
• Peugeot Partner Tepee
• Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life

Small MPVs into big 7-seaters

• Citroën Grand C4 Picasso
• Renault Grand Scenic
• Fiat 500L MPW
• Toyota Prius+
• BMW 2 Series Gran Touerer
• Ford Grand C-Max

The big 7-seaters

• Seat Alhambra
• Ford S-Max
• Ford Galaxy
• Kia Carens
• SsangYong Turismo
• Chrysler Grand Voyager
• Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
• Volkswagen Touran
• Toyota Verso
• Peugeot 5008
• Mazda Mazda5
• Volkswagen Sharan

The 7-seater SUVs

• Audi Q7
• BMW X5
• Hyundai Sante Fe
• Chevrolet Orlando
• Nissan X-Trail
• Kia Sorento
• Volvo XC90
• Land Rover Discovery Sport
• Land Rover Discovery
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
• Chevrolet Captiva

Click here for more information on the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, or here for information on the 5-seater 2 Series Active Tourer.

My Car

If I were to be in the market for a 7-seater MPV, I would definitely choose this category. The 2 Series Gran Tourer is a very enticing prospect, and mine would look somewhat like this:

BMW 220i Gran Tourer Configuration

Honda Civic

What is it?

The 9th generation Civic has been here since 2012, 40 years after the introduction of the first Civic. It’s somewhat similar to the first generation, in terms of fuel efficiency. The 1st generation was able to run on leaded or unleaded fuel, giving drivers the flexibility to choose the cheapest fuel at the time as well as what was available. In 1975 the CVCC engine was introduced to give even better efficiency. The 5th generation of 1991 employed more aerodynamic styling to further improve efficiency. The latest model’s aim is to get lower CO2 figures and higher mpg figures. More on that later.

What should I know?

The Civic’s first million sales was reached within 5 years of launch back in 1972, since then over 20 million have been sold. Despite that, only 650,000 have been sold in the UK – a tiny 3.25% of all sold. More than 170,000 8th generation Civics were sold in Britain alone – the best looking model in my eyes.

Something else that you should know is that Honda expects its customers to be 45-year-old males. So if you’re a young buyer, you might be seen as having an old person’s car. Personally, I don’t see why it’s middle-aged men that Honda’s aiming at. It’s an attractive car for any age group, really. Oh, and if it bothers you that much, it’s built in Swindon.

Engines

There are four great engines available, two petrols and two diesels. They’re the:

• 1.4 i-VTEC
• 1.6 i-DTEC
• 1.8 i-VTEC
• 2.2 i-DTEC

Tech Specs

The most efficient engine, the 1.6 i-DTEC, will return 78.5 mpg yet emit just 94 g/km of CO2. Contrasting to the least efficient model, the 1.8 i-VTEC which has different figures for different trim levels, but returns about 44 mpg and emits 150 g/km of CO2.

Competitors

The Civic takes on different body styles across the world to adapt to its home in order to return the best sales figures. In America, it’s a saloon (known there as a sedan), similar in style to the Audi A3 Saloon here in the UK. In America, it’s up against the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte.

But here in Britain, it takes on the hatchback guise. This means it rivals the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai i30, Kia Cee’d, Seat Leon, Mazda 3, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Peugeot 308. And that’s not even all of them! The medium-sized family hatchback is big here, so they all need to have something going for them to remain competitive in the market.

It’s also offered as a Civic Tourer estate guise. This competed against the estate versions of the hatchbacks above where applicable, so the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, Hyundai i30 Tourer, Kia Cee’d Sportswagon, Seat Leon ST, Peugeot 308 SW, and the Škoda Octavia Estate (which doesn’t compete with the Civic hatchback because below the Octavia estate sits the saloon).

Just to add another category, the new Honda Civic Type-R is due for release in 2015. Expect this to compete against the sporty counterparts to the hatches above – the Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTE, GTD and R, Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR, Kia Cee’d GT, Kia Pro_Cee’d GT, Seat Leon Cupra, Audi S3, Audi RS3, BMW M135i, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG (surely soon to be known as the Mercedes-AMG A45), Ford Focus RS (to arrive later in 2015) and Peugeot 308 R Concept.

Pricing

• S – £16,995
• S-T – £17,990
• SE Plus – £20,995
• SE Plus-T – £21,500
• SR – £23,355
• EX Plus – £25,255

There’s also a Black Special Edition available for £22,460.

Standard Kit

Entry level S models get:

• Standard 16″ alloys on i-VTEC models, Aero 16″ alloys on i-DTEC models
• Air conditioning
• Idle stop on manual transmissions
• Magic Seats
• Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
• Manual height adjustable driver’s seat
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• All-round electric windows
• LED daytime running lights and Halogen headlights
• Aux-in and USB connections

Make it an S-T to get:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

Step up to SE Plus for:

• The same 16″ Aero alloys on i-DTEC models, but 17″ alloys on i-VTEC models
• Dual zone automatic climate control with air con
• Cruise control
• Rear view parking camera
• Power folding door mirrors (you can also control these from the key fob)
• Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather gear knob on manual models only
• Front and rear parking sensors

SE Plus-T follows the same as the S-T, it just adds:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

SR adds:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Sat nav
• Auto dim rear view mirror
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear tinted windows

Expect the following on the top spec EX Plus model:

• Keyless entry and go
• Bi-HID headlights
• Hight beam support system
• Headlight washers

But let’s not forget about the Black Special Edition. It builds on the S spec with the following:

• Roof spoiler
• Front and side skirts
• 17″ ‘Gun Powder’ black alloys

Options

The Dynamic Pack adds a rear roof spoiler, front, rear and side skirts and an illuminated doorstep garnish. It’s available on all models excluding the Special Edition for £1,250.

Get the Aero Pack for £995 on SE Plus, SR and EX Plus. It gets you a front sports bumper and a rear diffuser.

A Bluetooth® add-on is only £295, but for £695 a rear view parking camera is yours.

With front fog lights for £395, front parking sensors for £415 or rear parking sensors for £535, you can hopefully avoid an accident.

What about a sportier look? Front skirts are £355, £300 for a sports grille, rear diffuser is £495, side skirts are £465, sports fuel tank lid is £95, or a roof spoiler is £395. Surely there’s something there that you want?

If you’re more of a family orientated 45-year-old man, Honda recommends that you buy one of the child seats available from £160 to £300. Of course, you don’t actually have to be a 45-year-old man, let’s prove Honda wrong!

Alloys are available at £795 for 17″, or £995 for 18″. Two options are offered for each size.

My Car

Unlike other cars where I’m keen to go for higher-end models for better standard kit, the Civic is an attractive offer in even base S trim! I’d go for SE Plus though.

• SE Plus-T with the 1.6 i-DTEC manual engine – £22,505
• Urban Titanium Metallic paint – £23,030
• Grey fabric interior – £23,030
• Drive Assistance Safety Pack I – £23,810
• 17″ Radium alloy wheels – £24,605
• Front skirts – £24,960
• Roof spoiler – £25,355
• Rear diffuser – £25,850
• Side skirts – £26,315
• Front sports grille – £26,615
• Rear parking sensors – £27,150