Compare the2025 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2024 Jaguar F-Type

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 F-Type doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The F-Type doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 F-Type 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 F-Type doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the F-Type 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 4 Series Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the F-Type’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 2 times as many BMW dealers as there are Jaguar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Convertible’s warranty.

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 33 points higher than the F-Type.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Convertible third among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The F-Type isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jaguar is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the F-Type:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 4 Series Convertible uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The F-Type requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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. The F-Type doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Convertible’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the F-Type (112.2 inches vs. 103.2 inches).

The 4 Series Convertible’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the F-Type’s (54.5% to 45.5%). This gives the 4 Series Convertible more stable handling and braking.

The 4 Series Convertible has standard seating for 4 passengers; the F-Type can only carry 2.

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

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 4 Series Convertible easier. The 4 Series Convertible’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the F-Type’s liftover is 33.3 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4 Series Convertible’s available trunk can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The F-Type 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 BMW service is better than Jaguar. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With an 8% lower rating, Jaguar is ranked 10th.

The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The F-Type doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The F-Type doesn’t offer a remote top, 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 F-Type’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 4 Series Convertible’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The 4 Series Convertible’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The F-Type’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

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 F-Type doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

With standard voice command, the 4 Series Convertible offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The F-Type doesn’t offer a voice control system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 4 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The F-Type doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 F-Type’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Jaguar F-Type isn’t available as a four door.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 4 Series Convertible will be $19373 to $40008 less than for the Jaguar F-Type.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Jaguar F-Type by over 45 to one during 2023.