fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

BMW Z4

(2019 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

67
%
B

Used car score:

69
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

64
%
C

Safety Rating:

81
%
A

Eco Rating:

57
%
C

Reliability Rating:

99
%
A

Running Costs:

42
%
D

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

67
%
B

Used car score:

69
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

64
%
C

Safety Rating:

81
%
A

Eco Rating:

57
%
C

Reliability Rating:

99
%
A

Running Costs:

42
%
D

Summary


The BMW Z4 is a two-seat roadster, with the current version being the third-generation model. It was revealed in the summer of 2018 before arriving in the UK in early 2019. The Z4 was jointly developed with Toyota, and forms the basis for the now-discontinued Toyota Supra coupé.

The latest Z4 has a soft-top roof instead of a folding hard-top roof like the previous model, with BMW choosing to abandon folding hard tops on all its convertible models.

The BMW Z4 has received generally positive reviews from the UK motoring media, although several outlets have pointed out that it is more of a cruiser than a sports car.

The Z4 has been praised for its comfort, build quality and improved handling compared to its predecessor. However, it’s still not considered as enjoyable to drive as a Porsche Boxster or Audi TT, while the styling – as on most modern BMWs – has been polarising.

As of December 2024, the BMW Z4 has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. That’s a combination of excellent scores for safety and reliability, middling media reviews and high running costs.

Key specifications


Body style: Two-door convertible
Engine:
petrol
Price:
From £45,135 on-road

Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Spring 2024
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 91%
Safety assist: 76%

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW Z4 has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The BMW Z4 has an excellent reliability rating of 86%, according to workshop data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. Please note that this data covers all models in BMW’s Z Series, which includes all generations of the Z4, as well as the older Z1 and Z8 models.

Not many MotorEasy warranty holders have reported issues with their Z4, but data suggests that if an issue is to arise, it will relate to the car’s suspension. This is a relatively cheap fix though, costing £250 on average to correct.

Running cost rating


Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models37 mpgD33 – 40 mpgD – E
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models171 g/kmC160 – 197 g/kmC – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models35C30 – 38C – C
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£339C
Year 2£742C
Year 3£1,175C
Year 4£1,497C
Year 5£1,949C
Overall£5,702C

The BMW Z4 is not the best choice for those looking for an economical vehicle, data exclusively provided by our partner Clear Vehicle Data suggests.

Petrol models have a fuel economy ranging between 33 and 40 mpg, which falls below the market standard. This is of no surprise though, considering this is a sports car. The car’s insurance premiums will be fairly average by market standard, and the Z4 is estimated to be neither expensive or cheap to service and maintain over five years of ownership.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the BMW Z4, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alpine A110 | Audi TT Roadster | Ford Mustang convertible | Jaguar F-Type | Mazda MX-5 | Porsche 718 Boxster


More news, reviews and information about the BMW Z4 at The Car Expert

Everything you need to know about BMW

Everything you need to know about BMW

BMW Z4 now available with manual gearbox

BMW Z4 now available with manual gearbox

BMW Z4 (2009 to 2017)

BMW Z4 (2009 to 2017)

BMW Z4 gets minor model refresh

BMW Z4 gets minor model refresh

The complete guide to choosing your next BMW

The complete guide to choosing your next BMW

Seven stars in latest round of crash tests

Seven stars in latest round of crash tests

BMW Z4 test drive

BMW Z4 test drive

Driving BMW’s greatest roadsters

Driving BMW’s greatest roadsters

Paris show round-up – more of the new cars

Paris show round-up – more of the new cars

‘More agile’ BMW Z4 debuts at Paris show

‘More agile’ BMW Z4 debuts at Paris show

BMW recalls 312,000 cars in UK

BMW recalls 312,000 cars in UK

Buy a BMW Z4


If you’re looking to buy a new or used BMW Z4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

Motors 600x300

Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more

Lease a new BMW Z4


If you’re looking to lease a new BMW Z4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

Leasing-com logo

Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more

Carparison 600x300

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

Select Car Leasing logo

Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more

Subscribe to a BMW Z4


If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

Drive Fuze logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
Find out more

Wagonex logo 2023 600x300

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more

Used car finance

Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
We Finance Any Car 400x200

Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
Find out more

Blue Motor Finance

Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
Find out more

Happy Motor Finance 600x300

Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
Find out more

Sell your car

Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
Motorway 600x300

Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
Find out more

Best car rankings

The top cars in every category

The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

This page last updated:

This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

The BMW Z4 isn't as sporty as its look suggest, but it has shown to be highly reliable and has an excellent safety rating.BMW Z4