Compare the2024 Ford MustangVS 2024 BMW Z4

The Mustang has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats 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 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 standard Cross Traffic Alert and Cross 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 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

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 over 8 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 Car and Driver the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Base EcoBoost gets better fuel mileage than the Z4 M40i (22 city/33 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

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 on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (15.9 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang V8’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 sportiness. The Z4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard 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 Dark Horse’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The Mustang stops shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the Z4 (235/55R17 vs. 225/45R18). The Mustang Dark Horse’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 Dark Horse’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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the Z4 (107 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z4.

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 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Z4 has no towing capacity.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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.

The Mustang’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the Z4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

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 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 Ford Mustang outsold the BMW Z4 by almost 26 to one during 2023.