Compare the2025 BMW Z4VS 2024 Jaguar F-Type

The Z4’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 Z4 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 Z4 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply 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 Z4 (except Manual) 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.

Both the Z4 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Z4’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 Z4’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 Z4’s reliability 20 points higher than the F-Type.

On the EPA test cycle the Z4 gets better mileage than the F-Type:

Regenerative brakes improve the Z4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The F-Type doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW Z4 higher (4 to 6 out of 10) than the Jaguar F-Type (3). This means the Z4 produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the F-Type every 15,000 miles.

The Z4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The F-Type doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Z4 stops shorter than the F-Type:

The Z4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.1% to 48.9%) than the F-Type’s (54.5% to 45.5%). This gives the Z4 more stable handling and braking.

The Z4 sDrive30i handles at 1.02 G’s, while the F-Type R75 Convertible pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The BMW Z4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Jaguar F-Type.

The Z4 is 5.3 inches shorter than the F-Type, making the Z4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW Z4 amounts to more than styling. The Z4 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .29 to .31 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the F-Type (.35 to .36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Z4 get better fuel mileage.

The Z4 has a much larger trunk with its top down than the F-Type Convertible (9.9 vs. 7.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Z4 easier. The Z4’s trunk lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the F-Type’s liftover is 33.3 inches.

The Z4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 Z4 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 Z4 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Z4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The F-Type doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The F-Type’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Z4’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 Z4’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 Z4 (except Manual) 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 a standard Intelligent Personal Assistant, the Z4 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 Z4 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The F-Type doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Z4’s optional Parking Assistant 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Z4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Z4 will cost $2840 to $8595 less than the F-Type over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW Z4 will be $25273 to $42376 less than for the Jaguar F-Type.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW Z4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW Z4 outsold the Jaguar F-Type by 68% during 2023.