Test drive BMW 225xe Active Tourer: full of surprises
Content
Meet an updated version of one of the most practical plug-in hybrids on the market
Having been on the market for several years and having recently undergone a large-scale facelift, the Active Tourer 2 Series seems to have managed to leave behind all the prejudices that accompanied the original appearance of the model. This is not surprising, since the real merits of this car outweighed the perceived flaws regarding the philosophical differences between the concept of the car and the tradition of BMW.
The truth is that the "pair" Active Tourer is one of the best compact vans ever made. And the 225xe version, in turn, is the best offer in the lineup, at least according to the author of these lines.
Both the exterior and the interior of the car perfectly match the image of BMW - the body design exudes elegance, a rarity for vans, and the interior combines excellent ergonomics, high quality workmanship and plenty of space in a pleasant, cozy atmosphere.
The typical disadvantages of this breed of cars associated with driving position and view from the driver's seat have been completely eliminated. Not to mention the extremely convenient access to the seats in the car, as well as the rich possibilities of transforming the useful volume in accordance with the needs of the driver and his companions.
Plug-in hybrid
So far so good - let's see how the 225xe Active Tourer differs from other modifications of this model. In short, the model is a plug-in hybrid. It sounds modern, but in fact this concept can bring some benefit, sometimes partial, and in some cases none at all.
In fact, this goes beyond endless treatises on the benefits of partial electrification. Which of the following categories does the 225xe Active Tourer fit into? No doubt the first, because it is one of the most convincing plug-in hybrids on the market as a whole.
A completely real electric range of 45 kilometers
According to the manufacturer, when fully charged, the battery allows you to drive a maximum of 45 kilometers on an electric drive. However, we all know that values measured according to the WLTP cycle are often too optimistic and not very close to reality.
Let's check it out ... The first surprise here is that even in standard 225 hybrid mode, it actually accelerates the car effectively, combining the almost complete absence of noise typical of an electric drive with a pleasant cheerfulness.
The feeling, which we know from many other models with a similar drive concept, that you have to press the right pedal with almost your fingertips, because otherwise the normal engine starts up and the advantages in terms of fuel consumption disappear.
With a completely normal, even sometimes almost dynamic driving style, it is possible to drive exactly 50 kilometers, while "discharging" the battery charge and 225xe can no longer cover long distances only on electricity, the balance is 1,3 liters per 100 kilometers.
In other words, the promised mileage is achievable here, even if you can take full advantage of the air conditioning and all available amenities in daily life.
So far, we're really impressed - for people who drive an average of 40-50 kilometers a day and have the ability to recharge their electricity in a convenient way, this car can be a great choice for everyday use. This model embodies all the advantages that you can get from a van, and at the same time delivers typical BMW pleasure.
The surprises are just beginning ...
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the plug-in hybrid concept is this. That said, we can't help but wonder how efficient the car is over long distances and whether it still feels dynamic and enjoyable to drive, such as when stepping onto a highway.
As we know perfectly well from numerous living examples (some of which are enjoying enviable sales), most hybrids either remain voracious standard gasoline cars for a long time, or become noisy, clumsy, slow and not very pleasant to drive.
It is by this indicator that the capabilities of the 225xe are striking. On the track with, to put it mildly, a decent average speed and even with repeated use of the sport mode, the car showed an enviably dynamic and at the same time cultural character - the subjective feeling of power covers and even exceeds expectations.
The driving comfort and the softness of interaction between the various units are at the exceptional height characteristic of the brand. However, the biggest surprise was the flow rate, which is 139 km away. amounted to 4,2 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers.
To check if the 4,2 liters will "bend". before the traditional nightmare of almost all hybrid models on the market, namely, with street traffic, we leave the highway. There can be no question of unpleasant engine boost and unjustified increase in noise, but let's just say, we were already ready for this according to our previous impressions of the car.
The real news is elsewhere - after driving 120 km at the legal speed and about 10 km at a slower pace due to repairs, the cost "rose" to 5,0 liters per 100 km. For some relatively direct competitors, this mode of movement leads to values of 6,5-7-7,5 liters or more.
Here's another fact. Since the prices of many of the plug-in hybrid models on the market are prohibitively high compared to the standard petrol or diesel versions, the 225xe can be more or less expected to reach a "very nice but awful expensive" situation sooner or later.
There is also a surprise here. The base price of the BMW 225xe Active Tourer is $ 43. versus $ 500 for the comparable 337i xDrive and $ 000 for the economical 74d xDrive.
Conclusion
225 is one of the clear examples of how plug-in hybrid technology can be very beneficial when implemented correctly, that is, when it is backed up by real engineering experience, and not just the need to comply with emission reduction regulations.
This car is extremely functional, pleasant to maneuver and a pleasure to drive. Its fuel consumption is almost sensationally low, even in conditions that, in theory at least, are far from optimal for its drive concept. And contrary to skeptics, even the price is surprisingly reasonable.
