Test drive BMW 2 Series Active Tourer vs VW Sportsvan: family joys

The Active Tourer has already shown that it can be not only spacious and comfortable, but also fun to drive. But is it better than the competition? Comparison of the 218d 150 hp version and VW Golf Sportsvan 2.0 TDI will try to answer this question.

Car change, very close to the Boxberg test center. A colleague got down from the Active Tourer, looked at the 18-inch wheels with interest and began to enthusiastically say: “You know what I think? It might be the first BMW to start to lean slightly in tight corners – but it’s still a pleasure to drive.” The colleague is absolutely right. The 218d Sport Line feels incredibly nimble, changing direction immediately and without hesitation, and on sharper maneuvers it even "peeps" backwards - all this quickly makes me forget about its front-wheel drive. Part of the reason for the excellent handling is no doubt the extremely direct, variable ratio sports steering system, offered at a not-so-high surcharge. And if you decide to turn off the ESP system completely - yes, this is possible with this BMW model - you can easily provoke an unexpectedly graceful dance from the back. Whether your family will enjoy such freedoms is a matter of personal opinion. And, of course, what kind of family do you have?

The textile sports seats blend very well with the character of the vehicle and provide excellent lateral support in all seats. Equipped with comfortable seating and optional adaptive dampers, the Golf Sportsvan takes turns in a neutral but less ambitious way and with a noticeably more lean body. In road tests, however, the Wolfsburg handles calm and reasonably precise, and the results show that it is only slightly slower than its Munich rival. ESP cleverly manages to prevent the tendency to understeer too much.

Comfortable than expected

Should the driver of an Active-Tourer pay for superior performance with a compromise in terms of comfort? Never. Despite the impressive 225-wide tires, the BMW rides tight but smooth. As such, it passes through the transverse joints about as exquisitely as the Golf, long-distance comfort is also impeccable. The Active Tourer partly gives out good manners only on the test site, simulating a very broken road. VW behaves a little differently: it calmly absorbs absolutely all the bumps in its path - as long as the comfort mode of the DCC adaptive suspension is turned on. Not to mention, BMW also offers adaptive dampers at an additional cost, and with them the picture will probably look very different.

Increased efficiency

The 218d has the privilege of being equipped with a fundamentally modified engine. With increased power from 143 to 150 horsepower, the four-cylinder engine performs much more perfectly than before and has reliable traction at the lowest revs. Maximum torque 330 Nm. However, the well-known 2.0 TDI under the bonnet of the Golf performs even better. Diesel unit with identical power of 150 hp runs even smoother, has even more powerful traction and consumes 0,3 l / 100 km less. Because BMW provided the Active Tourer for comparison with an eight-speed automatic transmission (Steptronic Sport) and VW was equipped with a classic six-speed manual with excellent shifting, elasticity measurements could not be made. However, one cannot ignore the fact that from standstill to 180 km / h with a weight of 1474 kilograms, the Sportsvan accelerates 3,4 seconds faster than the heavier Bavarian 17 kilogram. We have no doubt why BMW chose to provide the car in this configuration - the ZF automatic shifts seamlessly, always manages to select the most suitable gear for the situation and works perfectly with a two-liter diesel. Only the Launch Control system seems out of place in the van. It's hard to say unequivocally that the fantastic automatic transmission is a plus for BMW in this comparison, because it significantly increases its price compared to VW.

Which of the two models offers more space?

But back to what is probably the most important thing in these cars - their interior. In the BMW, seats are low, chic furniture stands out with contrasting stitching on the seats, doors and dashboard, and the center console, traditionally for the brand, is slightly oriented towards the driver. On board we also find the classic round controls and the intuitive iDrive system. In this way, the Bavarian van manages to create a stronger sense of nobility and style compared to the equally solid Sportsvan. Although the test model was high-end equipped and covered in piano lacquer, the VW failed to be as sophisticated as the BMW - which is likely to attract a large number of paying customers in favor of the more expensive of the two models.

As for the offered place in the second row of seats, there is an equal bet between the two rivals. Both cars have a lot of space. Length-adjustable reclining rear seats, which are standard on VW, are available from BMW at an additional cost. There is room for luggage with a volume of 468 liters (BMW) and 500 liters (VW). When folding the rear seats, which are standardly divided into three parts, a volume of 1510 and 1520 liters, respectively, is obtained - again an equal result. Both models have a practical adjustable boot bottom. In addition, a tricky load amplification system can be ordered from BMW.

Overall, the BMW is the more expensive of the two cars in the test, although at their highest specs (Sport Line and Highline respectively) each of the two models boasts some pretty extravagant equipment, including things like climatronic, center armrest, USB port. , parking assistant, etc. No matter how you approach the bills, the price of the 218d Sport Line is always much higher than the Golf Sportvan Highline. In addition to assessing the financial parameters, BMW is slightly behind in terms of safety - the fact is that with a braking distance of about 35 meters, the Active Tourer approaches the M3 values \u34,9b\uXNUMXb(XNUMX m), but technologies such as blind spot assistance and cornering. Setlins are standard on VW only. On the other hand, Sportsvan buyers can only dream of amenities like a head-up display or a power tailgate. One thing is for sure - each of the two machines in this comparison offers its customers exactly what they expect from it.

CONCLUSION

Comfortable, powerful, spacious, safe on the road and relatively affordable, the Sportsvan is a great choice for those looking for a rugged and laid-back van.

BMW

The Active Tourer remains second in the final table, mainly due to its higher price. BMW makes an excellent impression with sporty handling and stylish interior.

Text: Michael von Maydel

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

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