2022 BMW Z4

Some sports-car drivers might take the Z4’s multitude of cut lines and big air intakes to task, but the wide stance of the roadster and its flared fenders toughen the look of a car that started life as the almost-cute Miata alternative, the Z3. Forcefully shaped now, with some admittedly busy details, it’s not for everyone.

Inside, the Z4 cockpit focuses its attention on the driver, with a wide digital display in place of gauges and another canted toward the steering wheel, swathed in buttons and switches. It’s far from cluttered, though, and BMW’s precisely drawn lines stamp the cabin with trapezoidal shapes that stand out even in the basic-black upholstery of the standard edition. Still, we’d pay more for BMW’s rich and colorful leather selections and for aluminum interior trim, to polish off its look.

How fast is the BMW Z4?

It’s quick even in base turbo-4 form, with excellent handling that raises its performance score to an 8. Steering feel remains an open debate, though.

It’s a refined performer, but the Z4 has urgent acceleration and sticky feet whether it’s a 30i or an M40i. The former presses a 255-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 for all its worth through a paddle-shifted 8-speed automatic. BMW quotes a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds for the base model, if you’d thought a not-inexpensive BMW roadster deserves more than a turbo-4. 

Of course, there’s a 382-hp 3.0-liter turbo-6 to address any perceived slights in the power department. With the same 8-speed automatic twisting power to the rear wheels, the Z4 M40i hurtles to 60 mph in a BMW-estimated 3.9 seconds, with drive modes that let the transmission linger longer, which amplifies all the right inline-6 noises coming from underhood. 

The poise and balance of the Z4 chassis can’t be denied. It’s tuned for cruising comfort and firm enough to entertain track drivers. Even better are the M Sport tuning that’s available on the base car, or the available adaptive M Sport suspension, locking rear differential, and 19-inch wheels that become standard on the M40i. With all those upgrades, the Z4 widens its envelope with an even more supple highway ride, and flat, tenacious grip on the track. The picture could be rosier: the Z4’s variable-assist electric power steering doesn’t have much low-speed feedback and feels artificial, at least until the car’s breathing hard to maintain traction on a wide sweeping turn. At the limits, it’s in constant contact with the driver, offering the latest in-car data on exactly how much tread’s still in touch with the road.

The Z4’s heavily bolstered seats support driver and passenger for any driving maneuver the roadster can execute. They’re power adjusted and covered in synthetic leather; heating and leather are options. The Z4 surrounds the seats with fair room, though the driving position’s offset from the wide center console.

BMW leaves a decent amount of space in that console and in the door pockets, and it cuts a trunk pass-through between the seats for skis and golf clubs. Otherwise, be content with less: the Z4’s trunk holds only 9.9 cubic feet of stuff. Only Miata owners will come away impressed. 

The Z4 has a power fabric roof that can be lowered or raised in about 10 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. It keeps the cabin quiet enough for long-distance touring, and the materials BMW fits in the cabin are of a high grade; it’s tech-forward with aluminum dash trim and dark leather, more indulgent when wrapped in Cognac or Ivory leather.

BMW makes low-speed automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warnings standard on the Z4, but blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and other cutting-edge features found on other BMWs are either options on the Z4, or simply not available.

The $50,895 Z4 sDrive30i comes with 18-inch wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, power accessories, 14-way power seats, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and white paint (all other shades cost extra). A 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto had been standard but the chip shortage has led BMW to remove touch inputs from the interface, leaving its rotary-knob controller and voice commands to do the infotainment dirty work.

This year BMW has also deleted ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charging and a wi-fi hotspot, due to the global chip shortage—but features such as an M Sport suspension, adaptive cruise control, heated seats, parking sensors, and Harman Kardon premium audio are available as options.

How much is a fully loaded BMW Z4?

Starting at $64,695, the M40i gets adaptive dampers and the high-output drivetrain, with options for 19-inch wheels, Alcantara-and-leather upholstery, and M Sport brakes.