Compare the2024 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2024 BMW Z4

The 718 Boxster has standard head airbag curtains 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.

Both the 718 Boxster 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 718 Boxster has a standard 175-amp alternator. The Z4’s 170-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Boxster third among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Z4 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 Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 25 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 Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The 718 Boxster has more powerful engines than the Z4:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Porsche 718 Boxster turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Boxster lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The Z4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0/Spyder’s fuel efficiency. The Z4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Boxster’s optional fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (16.9 vs. 13.7 gallons).

The 718 Boxster offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Z4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 718 Boxster offers an optional 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 Z4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 718 Spyder RS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The 718 Boxster Spyder RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Z4 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Boxster stops shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the 718 Boxster has larger standard tires than the Z4 (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18).

The 718 Spyder RS’ 295/30R20 rear 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 718 Boxster offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Z4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 718 Boxster S handles at 1.10 G’s, while the Z4 sDrive30i pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 718 Boxster S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Z4 sDrive30i (23.1 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24.5 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The Porsche 718 Boxster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the BMW Z4.

The 718 Boxster has .4 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front legroom than the Z4.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 718 Boxster’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Z4 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The 718 Boxster’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 Z4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 718 Boxster’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Boxster has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Z4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 718 Boxster 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 Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW Z4 isn’t available as a coupe.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche 718 Boxster and the BMW Z4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and the Porsche 718 Boxster won out over the BMW Z4 sDrive30i.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 18 more times in the last 20 years. The Z4 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche 718 outsold the BMW Z4 by over two to one during 2023.