Compare the2024 Jaguar F-TypeVS 2023 BMW Z4

The F-Type 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.

The F-Type offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Z4 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The F-Type’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Z4.

The F-Type 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 F-Type has standard Rear Traffic Warning and Rear Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the Z4 and the Z4’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the F-Type 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The F-Type comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Z4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the F-Type for 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than BMW pays for maintenance for the Z4 (5/60,000 vs. 3/36,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

The F-Type P450’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 189 more horsepower (444 vs. 255) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 295) than the Z4 sDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The F-Type P450’s 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 62 more horsepower (444 vs. 382) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 369) than the Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The F-Type R75’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 193 more horsepower (575 vs. 382) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the F-Type R75 is faster than the Z4 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder:

The F-Type has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (18.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

All wheel drive, available in the F-Type, 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 BMW Z4 is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the F-Type’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The F-Type stops much shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the F-Type has larger tires than the Z4 (F:265/35R20 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18). The F-Type’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z4 (F:265/35R20 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The F-Type’s 265/35R20 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 F-Type’s tires are lower profile than the Z4’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the F-Type has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Z4. The Z4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The F-Type’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Z4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the F-Type’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the Z4 (103.2 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the F-Type is 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Z4.

The F-Type R75 Convertible executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Z4 sDrive30i (24 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 24.5 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the F-Type’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Z4’s (34.9 feet vs. 36 feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the F-Type Coupe has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Z4 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The F-Type’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The F-Type has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Z4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the F-Type 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 Jaguar F-Type comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW Z4 isn’t available as a coupe.