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- Highs Exhilarating acceleration and handling, smooth ride, insulated soft top keeps the cabin quiet.
- Lows Still not as fun to drive as a Porsche Boxster, all-wheel drive not available, could use more steering feel.
- Verdict It's still an invigorating sports car with strong performance, but the new Z4 is also more comfortable and refined than ever before.
Overview
Completely redesigned just last year, the BMW Z4 is back after a four-year hiatus, and it's better than ever. The rear-wheel-drive two-seat roadster still falls short of the sublime Porsche Boxster for all-out speed and driving enjoyment, but it's a close second, offering extremely strong performance in a refined package that's enjoyable to drive every day. Its base price is also about $10,000 less than the Boxster's. This time around, the Z4 is offered only as a convertible—there is no longer a coupe version—and it's BMW's least expensive two-seater. This latest generation has also shed its heavy and complex retractable hard top for a more traditional folding soft top, but its interior seals tightly and remains quiet on the highway.
What's New for 2020?
Last year BMW offered only the Z4 sDrive30i, and that model is unchanged for 2020. Even its price remains the same. However, this year the significantly more powerful 2020 BMW Z4 M40i, which has been tuned by BMW's legendary high-performance M Division, has been added to the lineup. Both models are turbocharged, but the Z4 M40i has a six-cylinder engine, while the 2020 Z4 sDrive30i is powered by a four-cylinder.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
At its base price, the 2020 Z4 sDrive30i is an undeniable value. It costs considerably less than its main rival, the Porsche Boxster, and it offers more than enough performance for most buyers. You can also dress it up with the $2950 M Sport Kit, which adds an M Sport suspension for better handling and it dials up its appearance inside and out with an aerodynamic body kit and M Sport steering wheel. Larger 19-inch wheels and tires are also available, and BMW offers the Track Handling package, which adds larger M Sport brakes and its M Sport differential for additional traction. Your new Z4 still won't accelerate like the much more powerful M40i, but it'll be more than quick enough to satisfy.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every 2020 BMW Z4 has an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode as well as Manual mode. Paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel are also standard. That's right: For the first time, the BMW Z4 is not available with a traditional manual transmission with a clutch pedal. You won't miss it. The eight-speed is one of the best automatics around with sharp responses, snappy shifts, and smooth operation. The sDrive30i is powered by the brand's excellent turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes plenty of torque and 255 horsepower. In our testing, this model accelerated to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. That's quick, but it's a bit slower than a Porsche Boxster, which is still available with a manual gearbox. For more grunt, the new 2020 BMW Z4 M40i gets a 382-hp twin-turbocharged inline-six. It's incredibly smooth and refined, and it turns the Z4 into a superfast sports car with a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.8 seconds. That's quicker than the 350-hp Porsche Boxster S.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With its exceptional performance, it may surprise you that the 2020 BMW Z4 is one of the most fuel-efficient sports cars in its class. The fuel economy of the Z4 sDrive30i is rated by the EPA to be 25 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. With its much higher level of horsepower, the fuel economy of the Z4 M40i is just a single mpg lower, getting 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. In our testing, both models recorded 20 mpg in mixed driving. Unfortunately, both engines require more expensive premium gasoline, and the Z4 has a small gas tank, so its fuel range isn't extensive. Expect about 300 miles of highway driving between each fill-up.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
As is the case with all current BMWs, the 2020 BMW Z4 has a very high-quality interior. In fact, it may have the best interior in this class. It features luxe materials, exceptional panel fitment, and excellent control placement. Its seats are comfortable with sizable bolsters to hold you in place when you're enjoying the Z4's dynamics. There is also more room inside than you might expect, even for those taller than six feet. Thick and insulated, its cloth roof seals tightly. When the top is up, the BMW's interior is impressively quiet, with so little wind or road noise it almost feels like a Grand Touring coupe. With the push of a button, it folds away in a few seconds. A wind blocker is standard to keep wind buffeting to a minimum with the top down, even at high speeds. Interior stowage is also quite generous. There are several storage bins around the Z4's cabin, including one in the center console and a felt-lined cubby to the left of the steering wheel. There's also a netted shelf behind the seats and two big cupholders up front. At 10 cubic feet, the trunk of the 2019 BMW Z4 isn't huge, but it'll swallow luggage for two for a quick weekend road trip.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A massive 10.3-inch touchscreen is standard along with navigation and complimentary Apple CarPlay integration; Android Auto capability is not available. The latest iteration of BMW's iDrive system is easy to use, with sharp graphics. The system can also be controlled intuitively with a knob and buttons on the Z4's console or with voice commands. A USB port and Bluetooth streaming audio are also standard, although you have to pay extra for SiriusXM satellite radio. A Wi-Fi hotspot is part of the available Premium package, along with wireless charging for phones, a head-up display, and heated seats.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Forward-collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking are standard, as is BMW's lane-departure warning system. Other driver-assistance tech is available as options on both Z4 models. That list of available systems includes active cruise control, active blind-spot detection, rear-collision protection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2020 BMW Z4 has not been crash tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is common with sports cars. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision detection and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking
- Available active cruise control
- Available active blind-spot detection
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW's warranty is average for the segment; however, its complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage is a standout. Such programs are not offered with its rivals, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class and Porsche Boxster.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
