2021 BMW Z4

The car comes with a 2 L turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine in the Z4 30i trim. It promises characteristic BMW handling and driving dynamics as well as traditional German quality It competes against the Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet, Porsche 718 Boxster, and the Jaguar F-Type Convertible.

There is only one version of the BMW Z for being reviewed here and that is the sDrive30i is available for $50,695. This is the same chassis that you can find in the latest Toyota Supra as well. However, between these two cars, there is a lot of difference. Within the 30i variant, there is no other trim level available but it can be equipped with several optional packages.

Which trim should you buy?

 There is not a lot of variety to choose from as the 30i variant is just one single trim. It is nearly $14,000 cheaper than the six-cylinder variant, the M40i. Our recommendation would be the adding optional packages like the M Sport Package and Premium Package as that does spice up the car a lot.

Powering the BMW Z4 is a 2 L in-line four-cylinder engine that is not the most exciting engine around. This is good for 254 hp and 294 lb.-ft. of torque. This is then mated to the same eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF that you will find most BMWs. The only powertrain option is a rear-wheel-drive as BMW intends to keep its roadster sporty.

When it comes to acceleration, the car can do 0 to 60 mph in 5..2 seconds and a quarter-mile in just 12.3 seconds which is not blisteringly quick. However, unless you want a 3.8 second 0 to 60 mph time which is offered in the six-cylinder variant, this should do. Top speed is limited to 155 mph like most cars in its category.

One thing that really strikes the buyer about the BMW Z4 is that it is significantly cheaper than its rivals. But, the rivals also offer better performance in every aspect, 718 Boxster is only a little more powerful but does translate to much better 0 to 60 mph times. The Jaguar is the leader in terms of horsepower but the Mercedes is the leader in terms of torque. When it comes to real-world acceleration, the Jaguar and the Porsche are the best.

How well does the 2021 BMW Z4 handle?

 It goes without saying that a sporty BMW handles extremely well. The BMW Z4 has an excellent grip and sublime control at the limit. It is also quite small in size so remains extremely playful. The 30i trim level has the suspension at its softest setting but still provides very engaging driving dynamics. One can opt for the dynamic handling package or the M sport kit to have better suspension, differential, tires, and so on.

The ride is also pretty nice and comfortable. The steering is one of the best electronic power steering units that we have. It doesn’t give the best feedback but is very direct and has a very quick ratio. Overall it is extremely sporty in terms of handling but in a way that it is very usable on the street.

2021 BMW Z4 Braking Performance

 Being a light 3281 pounds, braking performance is pretty much taken for granted in the BMW Z4. The 11.2-inch front rotors and 11 inch rear rotors are enough to bring the car to a halt from 60 mph in just 105 feet which is very impressive. Equipped the M sport brakes and this distance drops down even further.

As we have observed before, the braking performance of the BMW is quite impressive. However, the Jaguar simply blows the competition out of the water with its 99 feet braking distance from 60 mph. This is not just impressive but even beats several supercars. The Mercedes also has very impressive brakes.

Fuel economy is a department where the four-cylinder engine in the BMW Z4 really starts to pay off. The 2 L engine from BMW returns an excellent 24 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 27 MPG in the combined cycle which makes the sports car comparable to many commuter cars. The fuel tank capacity is 13.7 gallons but that is enough to have a range of up to 438 miles on the highway which should be enough for most trips.

Like we have mentioned, the slightly unimpressive powertrain of the BMW suddenly becomes much more impressive when you factor in the fuel efficiency figures. The next best car remains the Mercedes which is surprising because it has good performance as well. Then comes the Porsche and then the Jaguar. But since most of these cars are evenly matched in terms of performance, one can really complain.

Although many BMWs have the exact same layout, ever since the latest redesign, which is a part of it since it was updated in 2019, the cabin is very much good-looking and filled with high-quality materials. There is a 10.3-inch digital that conveys all the necessary information. The fit and finish are also exceptional and the seats are comfortable and good-looking, as well as being extremely supportive when cornering hard. 

Another surprise is that the interior is pretty roomy even though the car looks small from the outside. Another thing that the car does really well is that there is very little noise that filters inside the cabin and this results in a very nice open-top experience. The cargo capacity suffers a bit, dropping down to just 9.9 ft.³. The roof opening and closing mechanism are also very simple to use.

All the cars in this category except the Mercedes offer seating for only two passengers and are nearly similarly spacious in the front row. And since seating is only limited to the front, they are convenient and spacious. Cargo capacity is the least in the BMW, followed by the Porsche, differing by just 0.1 ft.³. The Mercedes Benz is the most spacious as well as the one with the most cargo capacity. Some standard features include:

• Leather Upholstery
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers w/ Adjustable Speed
• Heated Mirrors
• Electric Power Steering
• Wind Blocker
• Felt-lined cubby holes
• Two cup holders

What’s there to keep you entertained?

BMW has pioneered its iDrive control interface over time and the system in the BMW Z4 is the seventh generation model. There is one 10.3 inch touchscreen infotainment screen offered that has built-in navigation, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, and so on. The system can be controlled by a rotary controller, voice commands, buttons and is pretty much the easiest system to use. Several updates on this side of the car are available for the 2021 model year and buyers will be pleasantly surprised.

Some features of the infotainment system include: 

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM
• Two smart-charging USB ports
• AM/FM stereo
• 12 Speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Navigation assist feature
• 10.25” Infotainment Screen and Instrument Cluster
• iDrive 7.0 with touchpad controller, voice control

The BMW Z4 looks very different from the Toyota Supra that it shares almost everything with. However, it lacks the cuteness that it had in its previous generations. Nevertheless, the car is more fun to drive than ever and can also be called one of the most good-looking modern BMWs that we have around. It should definitely be enough to attract buyers.

The Porsche is the lightest car in the segment and shows this advantage in driving dynamics. However, the Z4 is almost the smallest In terms of dimensions, while the Mercedes is the largest. This is understandable because it also offers to seat five passengers and has all the extra weight of being dedicated towards a family. Due to the shorter wheelbase, the Porsche and BMW are much more agile than any of the cars in this category. Some standout features include:

• Convertible roof
• Kidney grille
• Sporty bumpers
• 18-inch wheels
• Fully adaptive LED headlamps
• Sport tailpipes

One thing that BMW has done very well over is that it places such a large emphasis on safety. However, we do not have the 2021 BMW Z4’s crash test ratings because it has not been tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA as is the common practice for several sports cars. However, it offers even active safety features like forward collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection as standard. Some of the standout safety features include:

• Seat-mounted driver and passenger side-impact airbags
• Electronic stability
• Forward collision prevention system
• Occupant sensing airbags
• Traction control
• Driver and passenger side airbag head extension
• Power door locks with locking fuel flap

2021 BMW Z4 Vs. 2021 Porsche Boxster

The BMW Z4 and the Porsche Boxster are the most evenly matched cars in this category in terms of price, performance as well as compromises on practicality. However, the mid-engined layout of the Porsche somehow gives it a much more focused and dynamically capable feel. In terms of interiors too, the Porsche feels a bit more well put together.

2021 BMW Z4 Vs. 2021 Mercedes Benz C300 Cabriolet

The Mercedes-Benz C300 is for the person who is very keen on bringing their family along with them on their adventures. However, this comes at the cost of extra weight, price as well as size. The Z4 is an expensive toy in front of a much more practical competitor from Mercedes. However, similarities with the C Class mean that the C300 Cabriolet does not have as much aspirational value as the BMW Z4.

2021 BMW Z4 vs. 2021 Jaguar F-Type

 The Jaguar F-Type is undeniably one of the most beautiful-looking cars we have seen on this side of the 21st century. However, we have not exactly liked the P300 variant because it needs a much more dramatic V-6 or V-8 in order to really enjoy the car. Hence we would pick the Z4 over the Jaguar. The extra cost of the Jaguar over the BMW discourages us from seeing it as a viable option.

 The 2021 BMW Z4 is a very excellent option from the German manufacturer. However, it lacks some drama because it is supplied with a four-cylinder engine and the six-cylinder engines are priced too high to feel worth it as well. Also, the Porsche 718 Boxster betters it in nearly every metric of performance and also has more desirability among buyers. Hence we would pick the Porsche over the BMW Z4.