Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

BMW 216d Gran Tourer review: The business-friendly premium MPV

for the BMW 216d SE Gran Tourer2
Good performance and a healthy mpg could see this as a sensible business option

Share

9 July 2015

BMW 216d Gran Tourer review: The business-friendly premium MPV

What is it?

A seven-seat version of BMW’s third best-selling, but first front-drive car, the 2-Series Active Tourer MPV.

We’ve got one of the cheapest and most business-friendly models to drive here, the 216d in SE trim. It boasts 68.9 mpg consumption and just 108g/km emissions.

The 216 Grand Tourer is the latest BMW Group model to benefit from the fitment of the three-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel, first seen in the current F56 and F55 MINI Cooper D diesels.

What’s hot?

  • It might say 1.6 on the boot, but this 2-Series Gran Tourer is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel, that boasts 116bhp and 270Nm of torque. Despite the extra weight and seats, this engine is still capable of 68.9mpg and emits 108g/km of emissions.
  • This is no M3, but even with 116 bhp, there’s still plenty to enjoy about the way the 216d drives. Highlights include the precise steering and impressively sharp body control for an MPV.
  • Although an MPV, there’s still the same driver-focussed feel to the interior like the rest of the BMW range. There was plenty of driver and passenger space in the Active Tourer, but the extra 21cm gain in the transformation to Gran Tourer equals more space in the back. There’s also the usual high quality feel to the interior too.
  • The driving position in the 2-Series is excellent, with plenty of seat adjustment for most to get comfortable.
  • Even the entry-level 216d in SE trim is impressively well-equipped with a DAB radio, 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, climate control, rear parking sensors and sat-nav.
  • In Gran Tourer form, 116bhp doesn’t sound very much for the 2-Series and yes, you do find yourself working the 1.5-litre diesel harder to get going. But once on the move, the 1.5-litre still has impressively muscular pull – acceleration to 62mph takes 11.4 seconds and the top speed is 119mph.
  • The 108g/km CO2 emissions mean the 216d falls into the 19% company car tax band for 2015/16.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Latest news

Top