Physical Dimensions of the 2018 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

The 2018 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a compact multipurpose vehicle measuring 4,386 mm (14 feet 5 inches) in length, 1,848 mm (6 feet 1 inch) in width, and 1,555 mm (5 feet 1 inch) in height. The wheelbase—the distance between front and rear axles—is 2,670 mm (8 feet 9 inches). These dimensions place it in the small-to-midsize category, making it narrower than a full-size SUV but taller than a standard sedan.

The cargo area behind the rear seats holds 405 liters (14.3 cubic feet) of space with all seats in use, expanding to 1,555 liters (54.9 cubic feet) when the rear seats fold flat. The rear door opening is 1,550 mm (5 feet 1 inch) tall and 800 mm (2 feet 7 inches) wide, which affects how easily a wheelchair or mobility device can be loaded. Ground clearance is 200 mm (7.9 inches), meaning the vehicle sits relatively low compared to traditional SUVs.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2018 Active Tourer is 4,386 mm long and 1,555 mm tall, making it compact enough for city driving but spacious enough for wheelchair users who need cargo room.
  • Rear door opening dimensions are 1,550 mm tall by 800 mm wide, which determines whether a standard wheelchair will fit through without tilting or modification.
  • Ground clearance of 200 mm is lower than many SUVs, which can make wheelchair ramps steeper and may require longer ramps for safe loading angles.
  • The vehicle offers optional wheelchair-accessible features through BMW's mobility program, though these must be ordered at purchase or installed by authorized dealers.
  • Rear legroom is 1,000 mm (3 feet 3 inches), sufficient for a seated passenger but tight for someone in a wheelchair who needs to remain in their chair during transport.

Wheelchair Access and Loading Space

The rear cargo area can accommodate a folded wheelchair or a standard manual wheelchair if the rear seats are removed. However, the 800 mm door width is narrower than many wheelchair models, particularly power chairs. A standard manual wheelchair is typically 650–700 mm wide, so it will fit through the opening, but power wheelchairs often exceed 750 mm and may require tilting or removal of armrests.

If you plan to transport a wheelchair user who remains seated during travel, the rear legroom of 1,000 mm is the limiting factor. This depth allows a wheelchair to fit, but there is minimal room for the chair to recline or for the occupant to shift position during a long journey. The low ground clearance of 200 mm means a wheelchair ramp would need to be at least 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) long to maintain a safe 1:12 slope ratio recommended for manual wheelchair users.

Interior Accessibility Features Available

BMW offers a Mobility Package for the 2018 2 Series Active Tourer that includes reinforced floor anchors for wheelchair tie-downs and lowered suspension settings. This package must be ordered when the vehicle is built; it cannot be added later at a dealer. The suspension lowering reduces ground clearance further but makes entry and exit easier for people with limited mobility.

The vehicle does not come standard with a wheelchair lift or ramp. Aftermarket hydraulic or electric ramps can be installed by specialist mobility dealers, but these add significant cost (typically £3,000–£8,000) and reduce available cargo space. Hand controls for accelerator and brake are also available through aftermarket installers, not through BMW directly for this model year.

The front passenger seat is power-adjustable with memory settings, which can help a passenger with limited arm strength or dexterity position themselves more easily. The seat belt system is standard three-point design; no specialized harnesses are integrated into the vehicle.

Door and Entry Point Measurements

The rear doors open to approximately 90 degrees, which is standard for this class of vehicle. The door sill height—the threshold you step over when entering—is 520 mm (1 foot 8 inches) from the ground. For someone using a wheelchair or mobility aid, this sill height is significant; it means a ramp must bridge this gap, and the ramp angle becomes steeper the shorter the ramp is.

The front doors are wider than the rear doors, measuring approximately 850 mm (2 feet 9 inches) at the widest point. Front seat access is easier for people with mobility challenges because the seat is higher and the entry angle is less steep. However, the front passenger area offers no wheelchair space; a wheelchair user cannot remain in their chair in the front seat area.

Headroom and Shoulder Room

Front headroom is 1,010 mm (3 feet 4 inches), and rear headroom is 990 mm (3 feet 3 inches). For most wheelchair users, headroom is not a limiting factor because they are seated lower in the chair than a standing passenger. However, if you are installing a wheelchair securement system, the chair's height when secured must fit within the available space, leaving room for the occupant's head and any headrest.

Shoulder room is 1,540 mm (5 feet 1 inch) in the front and 1,500 mm (4 feet 11 inches) in the rear. This width is adequate for a wheelchair positioned sideways in the cargo area, though it leaves little margin for error during loading. The narrower rear shoulder room means a power wheelchair may be difficult to position without scraping the sides of the vehicle.

Fuel Tank and Weight Considerations

The 2018 Active Tourer has a fuel tank capacity of 52 liters (13.7 gallons). The vehicle's curb weight ranges from 1,395 kg to 1,465 kg (3,075–3,230 pounds) depending on engine and drivetrain. If you are adding aftermarket mobility equipment such as a wheelchair lift or ramp, the added weight can reduce fuel economy by 5–10 percent and may affect handling, particularly in crosswinds or during emergency maneuvers.

The maximum towing capacity is 1,200 kg (2,645 pounds) for models with the appropriate hitch, though this is rarely relevant for disability modifications. The payload capacity—how much weight you can add to the vehicle—is approximately 500 kg (1,100 pounds) total, including passengers and cargo. A hydraulic wheelchair lift and ramp system can weigh 150–250 kg, leaving limited capacity for additional cargo or passengers.

Comparison to Other Compact Multipurpose Vehicles

The 2018 Active Tourer is slightly shorter and narrower than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (4,419 mm long, 1,796 mm wide) but similar in height. It is longer and taller than the Volkswagen Golf (4,255 mm long, 1,799 mm wide, 1,452 mm tall) but offers more cargo space. The rear door opening on the Active Tourer is comparable to other vehicles in this class, so wheelchair accessibility challenges are typical rather than unique to BMW.

If wheelchair access is a primary concern, vehicles with sliding rear doors—such as the Renault Scenic or Citroën C4 Picasso—offer wider entry points (approximately 900 mm) and are sometimes easier to load from the side. However, these vehicles are not always available in all markets and may have different reliability or parts availability than the BMW.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a power wheelchair fit through the rear door?

Most power wheelchairs are 750–850 mm wide, which exceeds the 800 mm door opening. You would need to remove armrests or tilt the chair to fit it through. Measure your specific wheelchair before purchasing the vehicle, and ask a mobility dealer whether tilting or modification is safe for your chair's structure.

Can I keep a wheelchair user seated in their chair while driving?

The rear legroom of 1,000 mm is tight for a wheelchair to remain upright and secured. Most disability transport specialists recommend folding the wheelchair and securing the passenger in the vehicle's seat with a standard or adapted seat belt. Keeping someone in a wheelchair during vehicle movement is generally not recommended for safety reasons.

How much does it cost to add a wheelchair ramp to a 2018 Active Tourer?

Aftermarket hydraulic or electric ramps typically cost £3,000–£8,000 installed, depending on the type and your location. Manual folding ramps are cheaper (£500–£1,500) but require more physical effort to deploy. Get quotes from at least two mobility dealers in your area, as prices vary significantly.

Is the Mobility Package worth ordering if I am buying a new 2018 model?

The Mobility Package is useful if you plan to keep the vehicle long-term and want factory-backed wheelchair tie-down anchors. However, it does not include a ramp or lift, so you will still need aftermarket equipment. If you are buying used, the package cannot be added, so check the vehicle's build sheet before purchase.

What is the ground clearance, and does it affect ramp length?

Ground clearance is 200 mm. A wheelchair ramp should follow a 1:12 slope ratio (1 inch of rise per 12 inches of length), so a 200 mm rise requires a ramp at least 2.4 meters long. If your driveway or loading area is shorter, the ramp angle becomes steeper and harder to use safely.