Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 BMW Z4

The Mustang’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Z4.

The Mustang has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Z4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Z4.

Both the Mustang and the Z4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 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 almost 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Z4 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the Z4:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang GT is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i (automatics tested):

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Z4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (15.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (16 vs. 13.7 gallons).

The Mustang 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 Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Z4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Z4.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the Z4 (235/55R17 vs. 225/45R18). The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z4 (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z4’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Z4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 9.9 inches longer than on the Z4 (107.1 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z4.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Z4 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible 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 Mustang has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z4 can only carry 2.

The Mustang Convertible has 27.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z4 (79.2 vs. 52).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Z4 (11.4 vs. 9.9 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Z4 has no towing capacity.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system 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 Mustang’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 Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The Z4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe 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.

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

The Mustang will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mustang will retain 47.24% to 58.69% of its original price after five years, while the Z4 only retains 46.69% to 47.65%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $6530 to $19508 less than for the BMW Z4.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The Z4 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Mustang outsold the BMW Z4 by almost five to one during the 2022 model year.