2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. 2021 BMW Z4
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata and 2021 BMW Z4 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata and the 2021 BMW Z4.
In comparing the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the 2021 BMW Z4's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and overall quality score. The 2021 BMW Z4 has the advantage in the areas of reliability and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the 2021 BMW Z4's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a better car than the 2021 BMW Z4.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $21,999 to $29,465 while a used 2021 BMW Z4 is priced between $35,993 to $56,251.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata loses 33.5 percent of its value and the 2021 BMW Z4 loses 48.7 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata retains 15.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 BMW Z4.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 8.2 out of 10 while the BMW Z4's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Mazda MX-5 Miata being ranked 1 out of 9 Best Convertibles and the BMW Z4 being ranked 6 out of 27 Best Luxury Convertibles.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 8.0 out of 10. For the BMW Z4 the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the BMW Z4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata’s base engine makes 181 horsepower, and the 2021 BMW Z4 base engine makes 255 horsepower. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 405 miles. The Z4 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 438 miles.This gives the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2021 BMW Z4 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$26,830
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$29,748
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$25,000 - $33,045
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$49,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$92,977
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$41,750 - $500,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$26,158
Price Range:
$21,999 - $29,465
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$30,700
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$25,191 - $37,360
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
34
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
24,024
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$44,770
Price Range:
$35,993 - $56,251
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$90,285
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$37,076 - $296,883
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
26,973
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW Z4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
8.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
5.9 - 12.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 BMW Z4
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
5.7 - 14.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 4.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
1 - 20.3
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15BMW Z4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 32Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 41Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
15 out of / 41Ranking
20 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 27Ranking
34 out of / 41Ranking
35 out of / 41Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
Club, Grand Touring, Sport
2021 BMW Z4 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
181 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
151 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
294 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
309 / 405 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
343 / 438 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
9.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2341 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
48.6 inches
Length:
154.1 inches
Wheelbase:
90.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3287 lbs
Width:
79.7 inches
Height:
51.4 inches
Length:
170.7 inches
Wheelbase:
97.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/50R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Arctic White
Blue
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Red
San Francisco Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Blue
Mediterranean Blue Metallic / Misano Blue Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Oyster Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching
Red
Magma Red w/ Black Contrast Stitching
White
Ivory White w/ Contrast Stitching
