Pros: Nice ride/handling balance; good interior room for a sports car
Cons: No manual transmission; trunk bigger than previous Z4, but still small
CG Says: The 2020 BMW Z4 gains an M40i model with a 382-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine. The BMW Z4 is a premium two-seat sports car convertible with a conventional soft top. The current Z4 is a new design introduced last year to replace the previous-generation Z4 that was last sold during 2016. In addition to the new 6-cylinder, there is also a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters—a manual transmission is not offered. Available features include forward collision warning, city braking function, daytime pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Note that the Z4 shares its basic powertrain and underbody structure with the revived-for-2020 Toyota Supra (unlike the Z4, the new Supra comes solely as a two-seat coupe). Diehard sports-car enthusiasts will be sorely disappointed that the new BMW Z4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission, and that it might not offer the at-the-limits agility of some rivals, since BMW focused on grand-touring panache as much as hard-edged performance. If its driving personality fits what you’re looking for in a sporting car, the Z4 is a delightful droptop that is relatively affordable when compared to its class competition and other high-end BMW offerings.
Class | Premium Sporty/Performance Car |
Body Style(s) | 2-door convertible |
Passenger Count | 2 |
Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive |
Manufacturer | BMW |
Nation of Manufacture | Austria |
Base Prices | sDrive30i: $50,695 M40i: $64,695 |
Base Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower 255 |
Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 24 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 32 |
Optional Engine turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder |
Horsepower 382 |
Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 24 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 31 |