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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2024 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2024 BMW M4
Safety
Warranty
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.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The M4 isn’t in the top three in its category.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.
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.
Engine
The Corvette has more powerful engines than the M4:
|
Horsepower |
Torque |
Corvette 6.2 V8 |
490 HP |
465 lbs.-ft. |
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 |
495 HP |
470 lbs.-ft. |
Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 hybrid |
655 HP |
|
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8 |
670 HP |
460 lbs.-ft. |
M4 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder |
473 HP |
406 lbs.-ft. |
M4 Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder |
503 HP |
479 lbs.-ft. |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Coupe:
|
|
|
MPG |
Corvette |
|||
RWD |
Auto |
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/25 hwy |
|
|
Z51 6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/25 hwy |
AWD |
Auto |
E-Ray 6.2 V8 Hybrid |
16 city/24 hwy |
M4 Coupe |
|||
RWD |
Manual |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/23 hwy |
|
Auto |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/23 hwy |
AWD |
Auto |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/22 hwy |
On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Convertible:
|
|
|
MPG |
Corvette |
|||
RWD |
Auto |
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/25 hwy |
|
|
Z51 6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/25 hwy |
AWD |
Auto |
E-Ray 6.2 V8 Hybrid |
16 city/24 hwy |
M4 Convertible |
|||
RWD |
Manual |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/23 hwy |
|
Auto |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/23 hwy |
AWD |
Auto |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
16 city/23 hwy |
An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06)’s fuel efficiency. 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.
Transmission
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.
Brakes and Stopping
The Corvette stops shorter than the M4:
|
Corvette |
M4 |
|
70 to 0 MPH |
139 feet |
146 feet |
Car and Driver |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction and acceleration, the Corvette has larger standard rear tires than the M4 (305/30R20 vs. 285/35R19). The Corvette Z06/E-Ray’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/E-Ray’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/E-Ray’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.
Suspension and Handling
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.
The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe handles at 1.16 G’s, while the M4 Coupe pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
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).
Chassis
The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 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.
Cargo Capacity
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).
Servicing Ease
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.
Ergonomics
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.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $7325 to $14875 less than the M4 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 67.13% to 70.13% of its original price after five years, while the M4 only retains 52.86% to 55.25%.
IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $24024 to $32921 less than for the BMW M4.
Recommendations
Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The M4 isn’t in the top three.
The Corvette was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 18 more times in the last 26 years. The 4 Series hasn’t been picked since 2014, and the 4 Series has only been chosen once.
Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The M4 has never been chosen.
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.