BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a two-seat roadster that can put a smile on almost anyone's face. It's small, sporty-looking, handles well enough, packs strong engines and drops its top. It's great for someone looking for a sporty ride that doesn't need much room. Although if you want a sharp-handling canyon carver, the Z4 might not be for you. This premium roadster leans more toward comfort, tech, and straight-line acceleration than handling. The Z4-based Toyota Supra, which comes as a coupe only, offers a more thrilling driving experience.

The two-seat convertible segment might be shrinking, but it still consists of some very competitive players. The Z4 goes toe-to-toe with popular names like the Chevrolet Corvette, Audi TT and the Porsche 718 Boxster. Those rivals are more fun to drive and offer a ride that's comparable or better than the Z4's mostly stiff ride. For a detailed analysis of the BMW Z4, check out our test team's Expert Rating.

Which Z4 does MatoCar recommend?

The base sDrive30i will please most drivers with its generous amount of features and quick acceleration. But if you can stretch the budget, go for the sDrive M40i. The top model packs a much more powerful engine and an upgraded rear differential and brakes.

The 2022 BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel-drive two-seat roadster that is available in two trim levels: sDrive30i and sDrive M40i. The sDrive30i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque. The sDrive M40i comes equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that's rated at 382 hp and 368 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission choice. Feature highlights include:

sDrive30i The four-cylinder sDrive30i comes standard with:

18-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires
LED headlights
Automatic wipers
Auto-dimming mirrors
10.25-inch digital instrument panel
Push-button start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Imitation leather upholstery

Standard tech features include:

Navigation system
10.25-inch center touchscreen
10-speaker audio system
Satellite radio
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

sDrive M40i The sDrive M40i adds the more powerful engine and:

Dynamic Handling package (detailed below)
Keyless entry
Heated steering wheel
Heated front seats
Lumbar adjustment for front seats

As with most BMWs, the Z4 is available with a staggering number of packages and stand-alone options. These include:

Driving Assistance package

Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Convenience package

Keyless entry
Lumbar adjustment for front seats

Premium 2 package (sDrive30i)

Convenience package
Heated front seats
Remote engine start
Ambient lighting
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Premium package (M40i only)

Remote engine start
Ambient lighting
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

M Sport package

18- or 19-inch wheels
Aerodynamic body kit
Sport suspension (adaptive suspension optional)
Sport steering wheel

Dynamic Handling package (sDrive30i only)

M Sport package
Upgraded brakes
Sport differential
Adaptive suspension

19-inch wheels
Leather upholstery
12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Remote engine start
Front and rear parking sensors
Ambient lighting
Heated steering wheel
Heated front seats
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front)