Overview

What's New for 2024

The 2024 BMW Z4 is offered in two trim levels: 30i and M40i. Both come with a powerful turbocharged engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M40i is the more popular model, but we recommend the lower-priced 30i. We'll explain why.

30i

We recommend the base model Z4 30i, which costs $54,595 (including a $995 destination fee). It offers impressive performance, a range of options, and excellent fuel economy. It's a strong value, with a smooth 255-horsepower four-cylinder engine and standard features such as 18-inch wheels, a power-operated convertible top, synthetic-leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker audio system, and low-speed automatic emergency braking.

M40i

The Z4 M40i ($67,295) not only dials up the price but also the performance. Power climbs to 382 hp from a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine in a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that improves both fuel economy and drivability. Beefy 18-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension, and upgraded brakes and differential give the M40i a sportier edge than the base trim, while keyless entry, heated front seats with lumbar support, and a heated steering wheel are among the exclusive features.

Most of the M40i's extra features are optional for the 30i base trim, and both trims can add the optional Driving Assistance package, which bundles automatic emergency braking (capable of braking from higher speeds), blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, and front and rear parking sensors.

Other options include adaptive cruise control, ambient cabin lighting, wireless phone charging, black exterior trim, a head-up display, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2024 BMW Z4 30i base trim comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (255 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. That 255 hp may not sound like much, but it moves the relatively lightweight 30i (3,314 pounds) with serious quickness. From a standing start, it'll hit 60 mph in just over 5 seconds. That strong acceleration, along with planted and responsive handling, makes the Z4 more fun to drive than the Audi TT. But the Porsche 718 Boxster, with its perfectly balanced mid-engine chassis, is the sportiest of the bunch.

The Z4 M40i and its turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (382 hp, 369 lb-ft) delivers even more punch, getting up to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. The silky smooth engine, one of the best available, also pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Steering feel is excellent, brakes are powerful and responsive, and the ride is exceptionally comfortable for a sports car. Both trims also feature steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for drivers who prefer to control gear changes.

The 2024 BMW Z4 has the highest highway fuel-economy rating in its class. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Z4 30i delivers an estimated 25 mpg during city driving and 33 mpg on the highway. The more powerful Z4 M40i returns an impressive 22/31 mpg city/highway.

In comparison, the Porsche 718 Boxster with the base turbocharged four-cylinder engine is rated at 21/27 mpg city/highway, and the more powerful Boxster S returns 19/25 mpg. The all-wheel-drive Audi TT is rated at 23/30 mpg city/highway.

The BMW Z4's cabin is surprisingly spacious for a small, two-seat sports car. It's comfortable, too, with perfectly shaped and supportive "sport" seats (BMW's term for its form-fitted, firmly bolstered seats) and an attractive, beautifully finished interior. The fabric soft-top is thick and insulated, seals tightly, and blocks noise better than you'd expect. A wind blocker behind the seats minimizes wind buffeting when the top is down.

Unlike the Porsche 718 Boxster, the Z4 offers generous interior storage with several sizable cubbies for phones, wallets, and cups. With 10 cubic feet of space, the Z4's trunk is also big enough to be truly useful. That's more cargo room than you get in the Boxster (9.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded down) or Audi TT (7.5 cubic feet in the roadster model).

The 2024 BMW Z4 comes with one of today's top infotainment systems. It's not BMW's latest iDrive 8 system, which has started rolling out in BMW's sedans and SUVs, but it's still capable and intuitive. A 10.3-inch display with crisp, clean graphics dominates the cozy cabin and offers both touchscreen and dial-button controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and while the standard audio system is decent, the optional Harman Kardon audio is worth the extra $875. It adds two bass speakers, which helps fill out the sound when the top is down.

In comparison, the Porsche 718 Boxster comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display, and the Audi TT does without a center display, opting instead to include its infotainment controls in the 12.3-inch driver's instrument cluster.

The 2024 BMW Z4 hasn't been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This isn't uncommon for a low-volume sports car in this class.

The Z4 offers a standard list of safety hardware, including LED headlights with automatic high beams and front, side, and knee airbags. Low-speed automatic braking is included, but more common active safety features are bundled into the optional Driver Assistance package. They include enhanced automatic emergency braking (capable of braking from higher speeds), blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control is a stand-alone option.

The 2024 BMW Z4 is a fun two-seat sports car that's easy to drive every day. With its quiet, comfortable cabin and smooth, refined engines, the Z4 is exceptional in almost every way. Its handling isn't as precise as the Porsche 718 Boxster's, and it lacks the added security of the Audi TT's all-wheel drive, but the Z4's combination of style, performance, and luxury is hard to beat. It's also the best value of the three, costing many thousands less than its rivals.

BMW Z4 vs. Audi TT

BMW Z4 vs. Porsche 718 Boxster