Premium Isn't Always Better: BMW 2-Series Active Tourer vs Volkswagen Golf Sport Van

After an unbroken line of rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive offerings over eight decades, BMW has finally introduced its first series-production front-wheel-drive model.  

The 2-series Active Tourer, a boldly styled hatchback-cum-MPV, is arguably this year’s most significant car. And its relevance is enormous. Proceeding an extended range of similarly engineered models due out in the not too distant future, it puts BMW directly into competition against some of Europe’s best-selling models, taking its premium appeal into the mainstream.

Just how history will judge the new BMW is anyone’s guess. Many are already calling the tall five-seater a defining car for the company. But it’s still early days. Before it builds a legacy, the 2-series Active Tourer needs to prove itself against the very cars that it has been conceived to rival.

Terry989 - 8/4/2014 1:47:14 PM

+1 Boost

In that photo they look like different colored twins!

chewy - 8/5/2014 12:14:04 AM

+2 Boost

That A pillar is a disaster for the BMW. The VW A pillar is about all that you can pull off before it looks like a Peugeot.

chewy - 8/5/2014 12:14:04 AM

+2 Boost

That A pillar is a disaster for the BMW. The VW A pillar is about all that you can pull off before it looks like a Peugeot.

MattDarringer - 8/5/2014 9:06:36 AM

+1 Boost

The VW would be a welcome product for the USA, but VW knows better.

chewy - 8/5/2014 9:27:50 PM

+1 Boost

It might do a little better than the Golf if it replaced the Golf completely but it wouldn't be a home run. It's a bit smaller than the Ford C-Max and the C-Max is Ford's worst selling car.