BMW 2 series Grand Tourer

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer: Which Version Should You Buy?

The BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer is a Compact Van offered in one generation with an original 2015–2018 range and a restyled range starting in 2018. Choosing between its versions mainly means balancing Gasoline against Diesel, FWD against AWD, and Manual against Automatic or Robotic transmissions.

The BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer is a Compact Van offered in one generation with an original 2015–2018 range and a restyled range starting in 2018. Choosing between its versions mainly means balancing Gasoline against Diesel, FWD against AWD, and Manual against Automatic or Robotic transmissions. Based strictly on the available figures, the 220i 2.0 DCT is the quickest restyled version, while the original 214d 1.5 MT records the lowest combined fuel consumption. Buyers prioritizing torque and AWD should examine the 220d versions; those seeking lower kerb weight should start with the Gasoline models.

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer generations: what changed?

The original generation ran from February 2015 through January 2018 as a Compact Van and had 15 versions in the full range, 12 of which are represented in the supplied specifications. Its listed engines span 1496–1995 cc and 95–190 hp. Available combinations include FWD and AWD, plus Manual and Automatic gearboxes.

The first-generation restyling began in March 2018. It remains a Compact Van and has 14 versions in the full range, with specifications supplied for 12. Its listed engines span 1496–1998 cc and 109–192 hp. Manual and Automatic choices continue, while Robotic transmissions also appear in the supplied restyled range.

Among like-for-like examples, the restyled 216d 1.5 MT retains 116 hp but increases torque from 270 Nm at 1750 rpm to 270 Nm across 1750–2250 rpm. Its combined consumption rises from 4.2 to 4.4 l/100 km, and its kerb weight increases from 1420 to 1480 kg. The restyled FWD 218d 2.0 MT keeps 150 hp, gains 20 Nm for 350 Nm, and reaches 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds rather than 9.3 seconds. Its combined consumption changes from 4.5 to 4.6 l/100 km.

Gasoline outputs also change. The 216i 1.5 MT rises from 102 to 109 hp and from 180 to 190 Nm, although its combined consumption increases from 5.6 to 6.1 l/100 km. The 218i 1.5 MT rises from 136 to 140 hp, retains 220 Nm, and keeps a 9.5-second 0–100 km/h time. Combined consumption changes from 5.5 to 6.0 l/100 km.

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer engine and specs

Repeated names below are retained exactly as supplied and distinguished by production phase, transmission, drive, or output.

All listed engines are front-mounted and transverse, with 4 valves per cylinder. Gasoline versions use Direct injection (direct). A Diesel fuel-system specification is not measured.

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer performance and mpg

The 214d 1.5 MT has the lowest listed combined consumption at 4.1 l/100 km, but it is also the slowest version at 13.5 seconds to 100 km/h. In the restyled range, the 216d 1.5 MT records the lowest combined figure at 4.4 l/100 km.

For acceleration, the original AWD 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic and the restyled 220i 2.0 DCT both reach 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. The 220i 2.0 DCT also posts the highest listed top speed, 222 km/h, matching the original FWD 220d 2.0 MT.

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer dimensions, weight and wheel sizes

Overall length, width, height, wheelbase and boot space are not measured in the supplied data. Every listed version has 165 mm of ground clearance and a 51-litre fuel tank.

Kerb weight ranges from 1395 kg for the original 218i 1.5 MT to 1615 kg for the restyled 220d 2.0 AT xDrive Steptronic. Gross weight ranges from 2040 kg for the original 216i 1.5 MT and 218i 1.5 MT to 2280 kg for the restyled 220d 2.0 AT xDrive Steptronic.

Wheel sizes are measured only for the original 218d 2.0 MT xDrive and 218d 2.0 AT xDrive: 205/60 R16 and 225/45 R18. Wheel sizes for every other listed version are not measured.

The lightest restyled version is the 216i 1.5 MT at 1410 kg. The restyled 220i 2.0 DCT weighs 1485 kg, giving it approximately 7.7 kg per horsepower. By comparison, the restyled 216i 1.5 MT carries approximately 12.9 kg per horsepower. Among the original versions, the 218i 1.5 MT has approximately 10.3 kg per horsepower, while the 214d 1.5 MT has approximately 14.9 kg per horsepower.

Which BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer version should you buy?

For the lowest listed fuel use, choose the original 214d 1.5 MT. Its 4.1 l/100 km combined result beats the original 216d 1.5 MT by 0.1 l/100 km, but the 216d provides 21 hp and 50 Nm more and reaches 100 km/h 2.4 seconds sooner. That makes the 216d 1.5 MT the more balanced original small Diesel on the supplied numbers.

For an Automatic Diesel without AWD, the original 220d 2.0 AT combines 190 hp, 400 Nm, a 7.8-second 0–100 km/h time and 4.6 l/100 km combined consumption. The original 218d 2.0 AT Steptronic uses 0.1 l/100 km less, but gives up 40 hp and 70 Nm and takes 1.5 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.

In the restyled range, the 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic is the strongest economy-and-performance compromise. Compared with the 218d 2.0 AT Steptronic, it adds 40 hp and 50 Nm, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 1.4 seconds, and consumes 0.1 l/100 km less on the combined cycle. It is 15 kg heavier.

Choose AWD only when AWD itself is a priority. The restyled 220d 2.0 AT xDrive Steptronic is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the FWD 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic, but weighs 60 kg more and uses an additional 0.3 l/100 km combined. With 150 hp, the restyled 218d 2.0 AT xDrive Steptronic is no quicker than the FWD 218d 2.0 AT Steptronic; both require 9.4 seconds, while the AWD model weighs 70 kg more and uses 0.1 l/100 km extra.

For Gasoline, Manual and lower kerb weight, the original 218i 1.5 MT is the numerical sweet spot: 136 hp, 220 Nm, 1395 kg and 5.5 l/100 km combined. The restyled 218i 1.5 MT adds 4 hp while carrying 20 kg more, with the same 9.5-second acceleration time and 0.5 l/100 km higher combined consumption.

For maximum listed performance, choose the restyled 220i 2.0 DCT. It produces 192 hp—2 hp more than either 220d specification—and reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. Its 280 Nm is 120 Nm below the 220d versions, however, and its 6.1 l/100 km combined consumption is 1.5 l/100 km above the restyled FWD 220d 2.0 AT Steptronic.

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer problems and reliability

Reliability, engine-oil capacity, engine-mount condition, engine-management-light causes, and timing-belt-or-chain information are not measured in the supplied data. No evidence here supports ranking one version by failure rate or repair cost. For catalogue comparison, the defensible choice must therefore rest on the measured differences in power, torque, performance, fuel consumption, transmission, drive and weight rather than unsupported reliability claims.