2022 BMW Z4

2022 BMW Z4 Review

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

　　How does the Z4 drive? Driving the Z4 is a mixed-bag experience. The Z4 sDrive30i we tested accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 5.3 seconds. The engine has good midrange punch too, which is nice for making a pass on a highway. But it can feel sluggish off the line unless you're using the Z4's launch control, and it loses steam toward the top of the rev band. The brakes provide impressive stopping power, but at low speeds, the Z4 is often difficult to stop smoothly in everyday traffic. As in many modern BMWs, the steering is mostly devoid of feeling, but it's quick and direct and stable on the highway.

　　On smooth roads the Z4 performs well, but less than perfect pavement can quickly upset it. The Z4 feels unsettled when you're driving on a bumpy road, and the stiffer Sport mode seems to make the stability worse.

Comfort

　　How comfortable is the Z4? Even with the optional adaptive M Sport suspension, ride quality and comfort depend highly on road conditions. The Z4 cruises well on the highway, even over less than perfect pavement. That said, the seats are mounted so close to the rear axle that any bounces you do feel are fairly pronounced. The seats are shaped well, but we'd prefer more lateral support. The climate control works quickly and evenly, though there's no convenient way to sync the dual-zone system.

　　The most impressive part might be the Z4's relatively quiet cabin with the top up, especially for a convertible. You won't have to shout just to have a conversation on the highway, and the lack of a roof didn't seem to cause any unnecessary vibrations or rattles.

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