Compare the2024 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2023 Chevrolet Camaro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the BMW 4 Series Convertible have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Chevrolet Camaro doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The 4 Series Convertible’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Camaro doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 4 Series Convertible 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 Camaro offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The 4 Series Convertible has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Camaro 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Camaro doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Convertible offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camaro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 4 Series Convertible’s 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. The Camaro doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Camaro only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The 4 Series Convertible 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camaro’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Convertible has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Camaro and its not available on the LS/LT1.

The 4 Series Convertible’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 Camaro doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the Camaro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The 4 Series Convertible comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camaro’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 4 Series Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Camaro’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Camaro.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 4 Series Convertible have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Camaro.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4 Series Convertible’s reliability 48 points higher than the Camaro.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the Camaro:

			MPG
4 Series Convertible
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/31 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/30 hwy
Camaro
RWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/28 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Convertible’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Camaro doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 4 Series Convertible’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 Camaro doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 4 Series Convertible has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Camaro. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 4 Series Convertible higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Camaro (1 to 6). This means the 4 Series Convertible produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camaro every 15,000 miles.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The BMW 4 Series Convertible comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Camaro.

All wheel drive, available in the 4 Series Convertible, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Chevrolet Camaro is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 4 Series Convertible’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Camaro:

	4 Series Convertible	Camaro
Front Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Camaro LS/LT are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

The 430i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camaro’s standard 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Convertible can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the Camaro.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Convertible’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Camaro (112.2 inches vs. 110.7 inches).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the 4 Series Convertible has standard flush composite headlights. The Camaro has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Cargo Capacity

The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Camaro Convertible (10.6 vs. 7.3 cubic feet).

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camaro Convertible/ZL1 1LE doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

With its convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 4 Series offers cargo security. The Camaro’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The Camaro doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

The 4 Series Convertible’s front and rear power windows all 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 Camaro’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Convertible the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Camaro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and Camaro offer a remote lowering convertible top; however, in case of a sudden change of weather, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote convertible roof that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. The Camaro doesn’t offer a remote closing roof, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The 4 Series Convertible’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 Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The 4 Series Convertible’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Camaro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The 4 Series Convertible’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Camaro’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the 4 Series Convertible detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 4 Series Convertible has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Camaro doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 4 Series Convertible also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camaro and aren’t offered on the Camaro LS/LT1.

The 4 Series Convertible has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Camaro.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 4 Series Convertible has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Camaro doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional Active 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 Camaro doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The 4 Series Convertible’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Camaro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Chevrolet Camaro isn’t available as a four door.

Recommendations

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Chevrolet Camaro by 50% during 2022.

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