The first generation of the 2-Series Active Tourer was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014.
It was a shock for all the BMW fans: it was a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

The BMW always featured a rear or an all-wheel-drive traction system. To install a front-wheel-drive one in a BMW was something that its fans couldn’t cope with. But the sales figures for the 2-Series Active Tourer were high. In 2018, the small BMW MPV received a facelift.

Despite its compact size, the 2-Series Active Tourer offered enough room for five adults inside. Since it used the same platform as a Mini, with a transverse engine, the designers had more room for the cabin. With its raised greenhouse and the abrupt end, it looked like an inflated hatchback. The facelift brought a new front fascia, with a larger and taller grille design, and new headlights.

Inside, the center stack was tilted toward the driver, emphasizing its role. There were new materials used for the interior and a new BMW M-Performance package. The longer seat cushions made the vehicle more comfortable on long journeys. The customers could choose from different trim levels, including Luxury Line, Sport Line, and M Sport packages.

For the powertrain, the facelift received a wide choice of three- and four-cylinder units, plus a plug-in hybrid. The 2-Series Active Tourer was available with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission, including a new, 7-speed dual-clutch one.