Dino Eisele BMW 2 Series AT, Mercedes B-Class, VW Sportsvan
22.12.2014
Although you sit a little higher, want to get in more comfortably and occasionally want to transport bulky items, you have yourself against an SUV - and thus against the current fashion? Take a van instead, because it handles everyday life better, is more comfortable, more economical and more agile. Both the VW Golf Sportsvan and the Mercedes B-Class have gained momentum compared to their predecessors. And the B MW 2 Series Active Tourer advertises cornering competence previously unknown in the van class.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a cornering star
Now there is significantly more important requirements for a van than steering behavior or steering precision. But it is precisely these supposed trivialities that add color to everyday gray. Even compulsory errands are easier with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer if you don't have to crank hard on the steering wheel to balance the load around the next bend.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer shows what is currently possible is. As joyfully as he throws himself into the bends, he makes you forget that he is a debut from the Munich company in two senses: the first van and the first BMW with front-wheel drive. The 218d, with its powerful diesel torque of 330 Nm, can hardly hide the latter: in winter conditions it hardly brings its power to the road, scrapes with the rubbers before the traction control intervenes.
It has to be in the VW too Electronics ran to slow down the exuberant motivation of the 2.0 TDI. The VW Golf accelerates under optimal conditions on the test track Sportsvan , however, even a touch faster from standstill to 100 km /h than the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. This shows the advantage of the slightly lower weight - but not on the country road.
VW Golf Sportsvan shows unique lightness
The VW Golf Sportsvan is also competent, but not as willing as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. Nevertheless, driving is characterized by a unique ease and, above all, a matter of course.There is hardly a more relaxed route in the compact van class. Thanks to the adjustable shock absorbers (option), the VW attaches great importance to good suspension comfort, especially swallows short bumps better than the BMW, which is also equipped with shock absorbers for an extra charge, but is a bit tighter.
And the Mercedes B. -Great? For them there is only an optional lowering as well as the so-called comfort suspension that the test car had as standard - without the possibility of adjusting the damper characteristics. So the design remains a compromise. After all, the engineers found a good balance between agility and long-distance suitability: In terms of suspension comfort, the Mercedes draws on the same level as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Mercedes B-Class glides along stress-free
In order to keep up with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer from Munich, however, the Daimler driver has to crank hard. The high weight of the B 200 CDI clearly slows down the drive, especially when turning in: Those who want to turn around the corner too quickly will reap gentle understeer. Then all you have to do is take your foot off the gas and you're back on line. The fact that the steering responds with a slight delay ensures steadfast straight-line stability on the motorway and thus stress-free gliding on long tours. Especially in tight bends, however, the somewhat indirect design also requires more work on the steering wheel. The barely contoured seats offer more comfort than lateral support.
There are no doubts about the quality of the compact van. The Mercedes B-Class feels as unshakable as it should be for a Mercedes. But that is no longer a unique selling point; also the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and the VW Golf Sportsvan are well processed and live up to their premium image. However, all three only appear noble if the buyer puts additional money into the embellishment - for example for a leather-covered dashboard or precious wood. Then the configurator calculates prices, especially in the case of the BMW and Mercedes, that many people may shy away from buying.
For the currently cheapest BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with 136 hp, interested parties have to pay at least 27,200 euros. The base model of the B-Class is 100 euros cheaper, but then only makes 122 hp. Whereas an 85 PS strong VW Golf Sportsvan is available for as little as 19,625 euros (see also the financing check below).
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, B-Class and Sportsvan are on par in terms of variability
The B 200 CDI in the test including dual clutch transmission is significantly weaker than the competition (150 hp) with 136 hp, but is better priced in the Urban equipment line for 34,754 eurosBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (218d: 37,900 euros as Sport Line with adaptive dampers and eight-speed automatic) as a similarly equipped B 220 CDI.
In terms of top speed, the aerodynamically shaped Mercedes still keeps up well and falls on the when overtaking Autobahn, however, as expected, behind the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. Its four-cylinder diesel runs a bit more uncultivated, yet economical - on the consumption lap of auto motor und sport the B 200 CDI is content with 4.9 liters per 100 kilometers.
What else Noticeable: The Mercedes hurries gently through the seven gears of its dual clutch transmission - finally, one might say, because earlier test cars were often noticed by jerking. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with the optional eight-speed automatic converter does the gear changes just as well, but receives an additional point for one more gear in the rating.
The VW is the only one with a manual gearbox; otherwise the Sportsvan was not available at the time of the comparison. This gives the Sportsvan a price advantage in the evaluation. At the same time, points for shift comfort are deducted accordingly - this is naturally higher with machines such as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Mercedes B-Class.
Incidentally, all three test subjects are on par with variability: There is one for everyone Slidable and tilt-adjustable rear seat including backrests that can be folded up in parts. The passenger backrests can also be folded down for a surcharge. Interestingly, here, with regard to the core competence, there is no answer to the question of the best van - differences only concern small things. For example, that the rear shelf in the VW fits under the double trunk floor. In return, the double loading floor can be operated with one hand in the Mercedes and cleverly folded in the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The latter also offers a particularly large number of storage spaces.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer takes second place
That is why the VW does not necessarily owe its victory to van-specific advantages. It can lug more weight, is the easiest to use with its large display and well-placed buttons and offers the best driving comfort. The fact that the expensive BMW 2 Series Active Tourer just managed to save second place up to the overall standings is thanks to its superior drive system and unique talent in driving dynamics. As the latest development in the field, it is lagging behind when it comes to assistance systems, which costs him points. In the end, the facelifted Mercedes, thanks to the lowest minimum consumption and slight advantages in terms of the new price and maintenance costs, is once again threatening from the BMW perspective.
Financing check - the BMW is cheap to lease
The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is well established on the market. Because compared to the competition from Mercedes and VW, the leasing offers of the brand are impressive.However, there is less cash discount.
If you want discounts for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, you should take a closer look at the financing. Because compared to the competition from Mercedes and VW, the white-blue brand gives less cash discount on the van. But if customers opt for leasing, they get a really good offer - especially when compared to the Mercedes B-Class. The van of the brand with the star is almost the same price in terms of purchase, but with an almost identical down payment (20 percent), the difference in the monthly rate is more than 30 euros for a term of three years. The Active Tourer does not look bad compared to the cheaper VW Golf Sportsvan either. In the final invoice it is only slightly more expensive for the customer - an attractive offer.
