Compare the2022 BMW Z4VS 2021 Lotus Evora

The Z4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Evora doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Z4 has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Evora doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Z4 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Evora doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Z4’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Evora doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Z4 offers optional Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Evora doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Z4’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Evora doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z4’s optional cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Evora doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Z4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Evora doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Z4 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Evora doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Z4 and the Evora have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Z4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Evora’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Z4 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. BMW will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Evora.

The Z4’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the Evora’s (12 vs. 8 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lotus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Evora.

There are almost 9 times as many BMW dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z4’s warranty.

The Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 332) than the Evora GT’s optional 3.5 supercharged V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Z4 gets better mileage than the Evora:

Regenerative brakes improve the Z4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Evora doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Z4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Evora doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW Z4 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Lotus Evora (1). This means the Z4 produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Evora every 15,000 miles.

The BMW Z4 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Evora.

The Z4 stops shorter than the Evora:

For better traction, the Z4’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Evora (255/35R19 vs. 245/35R19).

The Z4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Evora’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Z4 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Evora doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Z4 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the Evora.

The Z4 has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Evora (52 vs. 48).

The engine in the Z4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Evora. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Z4 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Evora doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Z4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Evora doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Z4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Evora doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Z4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Evora has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Z4’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Evora’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them.

If the windows are left open on the Z4 the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Evora can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Z4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Evora’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Z4 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Z4 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Z4 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Evora doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Z4’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Evora’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the Z4 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Evora’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Z4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Evora doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

On extremely cold winter days, the Z4’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Evora doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Z4’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Evora doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Z4’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Z4 offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Evora doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the Z4 has standard steering wheel controls for the radio. The Evora doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

The Z4’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Evora doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW Z4, based on reliability, safety and performance.