The BMW Z4 is a two-seat convertible sports car that’s as fun to drive as it is easy to live with – and it’s a lot of fun to drive. The interior is quiet and comfortable; the boot is usefully big, and the car comes with lots of equipment as standard. It’s good value, and because it’s as at-home on the motorway as it is on a country road, it’s ideal if you want a sports car you can use every day.
The current version of the BMW Z4 has been sold new since 2018, when it replaced a version sold new from 2009. The newest version has different styling, a new interior and is generally improved over what was already a very good car. The biggest difference is the roof: the older car has a metal roof that folds back behind the seats (and takes up some boot space), while the current car has a cloth roof that doesn’t take up any boot space when folded.
The Z4 is only available with a petrol engine. The higher the number in the car’s name, the more power it has – ‘20i’, ’30i’ and so on. All give good acceleration and the most powerful models are very fast. The current version is only available with an automatic gearbox; automatic models of the older car are more popular than manual models.
There are several trim and equipment packages available including Sport and M Sport; the latter has a sportier look with deeper bumpers and a rear spoiler. The current car is also available in top-grade M40i spec, which has the most powerful engine of all the Z4s and more luxurious features.
The BMW Z4 is just as well equipped as BMW’s saloon cars. Most models have sat nav and many have heated leather seats. Other features include air con, cruise control, parking sensors and some have Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The BMW Z4 is surprisingly fuel-efficient for a sports car. According to official average figures, the more powerful engines can give around 30mpg, while the less powerful options can give 40mpg. That translates to relatively low road tax bills, as well. Top-of-the-range models are in high insurance groups, but otherwise running costs are reasonable.
There’s only a small band of two-seat convertible sports cars that rival the BMW Z4 – these include the Audi TT Roadster, Jaguar F-Type, Mazda MX-5, Mercedes-Benz SLC and Porsche Boxster. They all have their merits but the Z4 is a great all-rounder, giving you a high-quality interior, a lot of standard features, a fun driving experience and everyday usability.
The BMW Z4 is more practical than you might expect for a sports car. The boot is bigger than that in many small hatchbacks, so there’s plenty of space for your weekly shopping or a short holiday’s luggage. However, that space is cut in half in the older version when the roof is folded. Depending on where the seats are positioned, you may find there’s space for small bags behind them. Two tall adults will find the space is generous, although getting in and out could be awkward – it’s a long way down to the seats and the door opening is quite small. Still, the Z4 is a sports car you can easily use every day.
BMW makes a lot of sporty cars, but the Z4 is the only one that’s a two-seat convertible with its engine at the front, in the classic sports-car mould. The BMW i8 Roadster plug-in hybrid is also a two-seat convertible, but that’s a more exotic, costlier car with its engine at the back.
When it was assessed in 2015, the older version of the BMW Z4 was given a three-star rating (out of five) by the safety organisation Euro NCAP because it lacked some electronic driver-safety features. The current Z4 got a full five stars and has safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
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