Measuring just over 4.3-metre long (only marginally longer than a BMW 1 Series), 1.8m wide and 1.5m high, the 2 Series Active Tourer combines compact dimensions on the outside with a spacious feel on the inside, making ideally suited to the increasing challenges of urban mobility.I drove the 218d SE Auto model and was taken aback by the look of it. The low-rise double kidney grille is positioned lower than the headlights – a feature usually reserved for coupe models. The sporty appearance continues with the steeply raked windscreen and defined and sculpted bonnet.

The one thing that struck me about the Active Tourer when I sat in it was that, despite its fairly compact measurements, the interior is light, airy and surprisingly spacious thanks to the thin A pillars and large glass area, with plenty of room for five adults.

There's a luxurious and clean feel about the interior, which is trimmed with leather and aluminium. You also get a massive amount of kit as standard, everything from keyless engine start, two-zone automatic air conditioning and rear Park Distance Control to all of the usual media that you would expect from a car nowadays such as DAB digital radio and Bluetooth with USB interface, plus a 6.5-inch monitor with iDrive controller. There's also Drive Performance Control, which gives the option of ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport modes.

The view from the driving seat is excellent. It's slightly higher than normal, which means you get great road visibility, and, combined with the luxurious feel, makes the Active Tourer a great place to spend time, particularly on long journeys.One of the highlights of this car for me was the way it drove. The model I tested had a two-litre four-cylinder diesel engine which can deliver CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km, power of 150hp and an impressive peak torque of 330Nm which means 0-62mph is achieved in around nine seconds.

Being front-wheel drive means that the Active Tourer balances comfort and agility. It handles superbly and has more than enough power when necessary on motorways and dual carriageways. The move through the gears of the automatic gearbox when accelerating is smooth, meaning the drive is comfortable for both the driver and passengers.

And the Active Tourer gets top marks for two of the key elements that make up any family car – practicality and safety.The versatile luggage compartment's capacity can be enlarged from 468 to a whopping 1,510 litres, with a flat loading floor. This is helped in no part by the clever use of electric folding rear seats, which also slide to either enhance knee room or luggage space as required. The backrest can also be adjusted to recline or be sat more upright.The boot is automatic opening and closing, and another clever feature is the foldable boot floor that conceals a storage compartment with a handy multi-function tray.

On the safety side of things the use of high-tensile and ultra-high-tensile multiphase steels makes the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer stiffer, safer and lighter.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer features the new Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, which significantly improves pedestrian safety in urban environments. If the system detects a pedestrian or a stationary vehicle, it emits an audible and visible signal to warn the driver, and primes the brakes. If the driver fails to react, the system acts autonomously to reduce vehicle speed.

Parking Assistant from BMW also improves parking comfort and safety. At speeds below 22 mph, Parking Assistant helps the driver look for appropriate parallel parking spaces using ultrasound sensors on the left and right-hand sides of the vehicle. The system identifies parking spaces which are around one metre longer than the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer itself.

Via the electromechanical steering system, the Parking Assistant takes charge of steering, leaving the driver to focus on accelerating, braking and switching between forward and reverse gears.

So with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer you get a lot of car, and you may expect the price tag to reflect that. But, surprisingly, prices start from £22,150. The model I drove came in around £27,000 with the added extras.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is available from Sandal Wakefield, Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9BE. Tel: 01924 433500