BMW Z4 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW Z4 and Mazda MX-5 Miata 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 BMW Z4 and the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
When we compare the BMW Z4's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the BMW Z4 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW Z4's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a better car than the BMW Z4.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW Z4's price is between $61,458 and $78,576, with the Mazda MX-5 Miata priced between $31,130 and $39,871.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW Z4 loses 48.5 percent of its value and the Mazda MX-5 Miata loses 36.3 percent of its value. This means the Mazda MX-5 Miata retains 12.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW Z4.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW Z4 is 7.8 out of 10 while the Mazda MX-5 Miata's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the BMW Z4 being ranked 11 out of 23 Best Luxury Convertibles and the Mazda MX-5 Miata being ranked 1 out of 12 Best Sports Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW Z4 is 7.6 out of 10. For the Mazda MX-5 Miata the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW Z4.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW Z4’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata base engine makes 181 horsepower.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
61458 - 78576
Starting MSRP:
56100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
87986
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
56100 - 224900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31130 - 39871
Starting MSRP:
29830
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
35186
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
29830 - 42970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
67227
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
67227 - 67227
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
33746
Price Range:
28131 - 38700
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
40382
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
33746 - 50310
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
27312
Depreciation %:
0.48684698
Resale Value $:
28788
Residual Value %:
0.5131530200000001
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.32185613
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.25230078 - 0.50263852
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
10922
Depreciation %:
0.3661385
Resale Value $:
18908
Residual Value %:
0.6338615000000001
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
0.33757779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
0.24794219 - 0.47768027
BMW Z4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW Z4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
19.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
13.0 - 29.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.001
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
24.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
15.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
9.4 - 24.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.131
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.703241207488077
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 5.1
BMW Z4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 39Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 23Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 23Ranking
6 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 23Ranking
11 out of / 23Ranking
12 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 23Ranking
19 out of / 23Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
34 out of / 39Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW Z4 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
35th Anniversary Edition, Club, Grand Touring, Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
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
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
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
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3314 lbs
Width:
79.7 inches
Height:
51.4 inches
Length:
170.7 inches
Wheelbase:
97.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2366 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
48.6 inches
Length:
154.1 inches
Wheelbase:
90.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/50R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Portimao Blue Metallic
Gray
Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Purple
Thundernight Metallic
Red
San Francisco Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching
Red
Magma Red w/ Black Contrast Stitching
White
Ivory White w/ Contrast Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
