For who's looking for a 7-seater family MPV, the Volkswagen Touran has always been one of the best choices. It really is a car which does whatever you need such a car to do, and it does that in an almost perfect way.
But, recently BMW entered the MPV-market with this 2-Series Gran Tourer. Experience learns that when the boys in Bavaria launch a new type of vehicle, they tend to deliver, so it'll be nice comparing the two.
So, is this car - which absolutely defies everything BMW stands for - able, to teach the master a lesson?
It doesn't matter from which way you look at it, this car doesn't share a lot of traits with 'regular' Beamers.
It's the first 7-seater MPV, it's got front wheel drive, a 3-cylinder engine; stuff that classic BMW-enthusiasts don't like very much. Right, that's their problem,
because it's a very logical step for BMW. We can't deny the idea is successful, because the car is selling quite well actually.
And when you start driving it, it really does feel like a BMW, which is a big pro. But what does that mean exactly, 'feeling like a BMW'? In this car it's the steering. It's very clear and precise, so it's a completely different experience than the Volkswagen Touran.
When people start talking that this is a BMW because of the drive, they're wrong. It's still a MPV to drive. I haven't got other words, it's got some flaws in the ride which are present in most MPV's.
Of course, you're driving along with a lot of steel around you, and that's something you feel in the corners. It leans a bit and it pushes on it's front wheels. So, if you expected this car to be a dynamic MPV, you might be disappointed.
Another remarkable thing is that the power doesn't really translate to the wheels. When you're in a tight corner and push the throttle a bit fiercely, the traction control comes into action and makes the car hiccup, sort of. I'm missing the flow in this car.
And that's strange, because I know BMW has done better. Right, if you push it like this... The engine comes into play, but the drivetrain doesn't really translate it well. And that's a shame.
Especially because the engine and gearbox in this car are pretty nice. It's a 3-cylinder, like I've said, 1,5-litres big with 136 hp.
And I have to say, the engine is very good. For instance, a lot of torque is available at low RPM's. The maximum amount of Nm is already available at 1.250 RPM's, and that makes the car respond very smoothly.
Right now we're driving the 6-speed automatic gearbox with a double clutch, and whenever you don't have enough torque, the gearbox shifts back very smoothly. So, the drivetrain is very good. A big pro for the Gran Tourer. Well done!
So, below the line we can say this BMW offers a pleasant drive, and of course it's very practical, but to call it 'Freude am Fahren', I wouldn't say so. It still is the automotive equivalent of a vacation on Center Parcs.
And that's the essence of the success with this Touran, I think. The lack of excitement is why this car is widely appreciated. This is our long term car and you can see that all of the editors come to ease in this car.
It's a very relaxed car this. The seats are bigger than the BMW's, the seating is more upright, you can find the calm nature in the DNA of this car. Not only in the drivetrain; right now we're driving a 1.4 TSI with 150 hp and a DSG-gearbox.
It's a little less jumpy than the 3-cylinder in the BMW, which results in more souplesse. Funny enough, the Touran has better stats. It's faster from 0-100, it's got a higher top speed.
All things considered: it's a good car to live with.
Even the chassis is more flexible. I think this setup fits a car like this much better. What BMW has tried to do is fitting a big car with sporty image, but that's useless in a 7-seater MPV.
That's why I think Volkswagen has made a more logical choice with the Touran. This car also isn't as pretentious as the BMW.
When you're talking about the drive, you notice that the steering is lighter than the BMW. The roll over the length of the car is also more apparent than in the Beamer, that's something Volkswagen clearly hasn't aimed for. That's a logical choice to me though.
So there are some differences between the two, but there's something we haven't discussed yet. One of the reasons people buy cars like these; the offered space.
Right. Elementary school just finished for today, let's conduct a good old audience research.
The horn works guys... - Yeah, guys the horn- THE horn works, guys...
Excuse me, the BMW or the Volkswagen? - Ehm...
For now I'd choose the Volkswagen, and why... Well, first of all the BMW is decent and all, so I'd say BMW at first, but when you compare the two,
they kind of look alike. I'm also not the biggest, and the seating is better in the Volkswagen.
Right guys, Volkswagen or BMW?
- BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW!
Which one would you choose? The Volkswagen or the BMW?
The BMW. - Why?
Well, I think the BMW is cooler. Just because.
Why do you think the BMW is cooler then?
Well, because a lot of people are talking about it. Not that I let myself get influenced by that, but my parents once owned a BMW, so I'll follow my parents in their decision.
BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW! BMW!
BMW 2-Series or Volkswagen Touran?
BMW 2-Series. - Oh yeah?
What's the determining factor?
Well, determining factor. I think it looks better.
Why is that?
I'd say more styling.
Smoother? - Yes!
Folding the seats is quite simple, but you can see BMW didn't think the system through. Putting them back up again can be difficult, there's no little loop to make it easier. Volkswagen really has done a better job here.
Look, there's a little loop in the Touran to get those rear seats back up again. Just a little bit smarter.
But, the BMW can make the middle seats go down from the rear, and that's something the Volkswagen doesn't do.
When it comes to the pupils from De Meander Elementary School in Meern, the BMW wins. But, when you directly compare the Touran and the Gran Tourer,
you can see the BMW has really adapted a lot of points from the Volkswagen. The 2-Series does a lot of the same things as the Touran.
When it comes to the drivetrain and the ride, I absolutely prefer the BMW. But when you look at it all, the Touran is still the master.