Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2022 BMW Z4

The Corvette has standard tall side airbags which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Z4 doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head.

Both the Corvette and the Z4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Z4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Z4 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 Z4 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 Z4:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Corvette 6.2 V8 is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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 Z4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (18.5 vs. 13.7 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 Z4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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 Z4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Corvette Z06 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The Corvette Z06 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Z4 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Corvette stops shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the Corvette has larger standard tires than the Z4 (F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18). The Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z4 (F:275/30R20 & R:345/25R21 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

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 Z4’s standard 45 series front and 40 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 Z4’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Z4. The Corvette Z06’s 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Z4.

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 Z4 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 Z4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corvette’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the Z4 (107.2 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z4.

The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Z4 doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Z4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Corvette has .6 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the Z4.

The front step up height for the Corvette Coupe is 1.2 inches lower than the Z4 (13.8” vs. 15”).

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Z4 (12.6 vs. 9.9 cubic feet).

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 Z4 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 Z4 does not have an oil pressure 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 Z4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Corvette keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Z4 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW Z4 isn’t available as a coupe.

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $1120 to $3165 less than the Z4 over a five-year period.

The Corvette will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corvette will retain 50.67% to 53.37% of its original price after five years, while the Z4 only retains 47.32% to 47.83%.

The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 18 of the last 25 years. The Z4 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The Z4 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the BMW Z4 by almost 18 to one during the 2021 model year.