Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2022 BMW M4

Both the Corvette and the M4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The M4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the M4:

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Convertible:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette’s fuel efficiency (not available on Z06). The M4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the M4 (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Corvette has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The M4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Chevrolet Corvette comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M4.

The Corvette offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The M4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better traction and acceleration, the Corvette has larger standard rear tires than the M4 (305/30R20 vs. 285/35R19). The Corvette Z06’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the M4 (345/25R21 vs. 285/35R19).

The Corvette’s standard 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M4’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Corvette Z06’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the M4’s optional 35 series front and 30 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels are standard on the M4. The Corvette Z06’s 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels optional on the M4.

The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The M4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the M4.

For better maneuverability, the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the M4’s (36.4 feet vs. 40 feet). The Corvette’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the M4’s (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 650 pounds less than the BMW M4.

The Corvette is 6.8 inches shorter than the M4, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Chevrolet Corvette amounts to more than styling. The Corvette has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the M4 (.34). A more efficient exterior helps the Corvette go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Corvette get better fuel mileage.

The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The M4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Corvette Coupe has a larger trunk than the M4 Coupe (12.6 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the M4 Convertible with its top down (12.6 vs. 10.6 cubic feet).

The Corvette has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The M4 doesn’t offer an under hood light.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the M4, the Corvette offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corvette’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M4 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Corvette has standard extendable sun visors. The M4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Corvette offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The M4 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $8830 to $9370 less than the M4 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $2630 to $15564 less than for the BMW M4.

The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 18 of the last 25 years. The 4 Series hasn’t been picked since 2014.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The M4 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the BMW 4 Series by 67% during the 2021 model year.