Z4 vs LC 500
The Z4 and the LC 500 are direct rivals in the sports car class, one from BMW and one from Lexus. The LC 500 has the edge in 2 of the 4 areas we looked at, most visibly in the engine & performance category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance LC 500 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Z4 wins
- Space & Practicality LC 500 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance2.1
- Fuel Economy & Range6.0
- Engine & Performance5.6
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The LC 500 has 216 hp more power
The Z4 gives up a lot on total system output: 255 hp, compared with 471 hp on the LC 500. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The Z4 has better fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The Z4 brings 28 mpg to the table; the LC 500 brings 18 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The LC 500 has room for 4 seats
When it comes to seats, the LC 500 wins comfortably with 4 seats against 2 seats. The LC 500 has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
-
The LC 500 has 103 lb-ft more torque
It’s a lopsided result (398 lb-ft for the LC 500, 295 lb-ft for the Z4) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
-
The Z4 has better city fuel economy
The spread here is large: 25 mpg on the Z4 versus 16 mpg on the LC 500. Expect to notice it. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Z4 has the better rating here.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 187.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 53 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 113 in |
Engine & Performance
LC 500 leads
Look at the engine & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the LC 500. On the LC 500, you get 216 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the LC 500 is the stronger car.
Total system output
Z4: 255 hp LC 500: 471 hp The LC 500’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Z4: 295 lb-ft LC 500: 398 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
Z4 leads
The LC 500 has a tough time in the fuel economy & range section, where the Z4 pulls well ahead. On its side, the Z4 has better fuel economy. The Z4 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. If fuel economy & range is your priority, the Z4 is the car to pick.
Fuel economy (combined)
Z4: 28 mpg LC 500: 18 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Z4: 25 mpg LC 500: 16 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
LC 500 leads
This is one of the LC 500’s strongest areas. On space & practicality, the Z4 falls well short. Choose the LC 500 and you get room for 4 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there. So if space & practicality tops your list, lean toward the LC 500.
Seats
Z4: 2 seats LC 500: 4 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. Net result on off-road & towing: level.
Safety & Tech
The Z4 and the LC 500 differ on safety & tech in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 5.0L V8 |
| Total system output | 255 hp | 471 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 28 mpg (winner) | 18 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 25 mpg (winner) | 16 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 33 mpg (winner) | 24 mpg |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 21.7 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 seats | 4 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 5.4 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 187.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 53 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 113 in |
Price
| Spec | Z4 | LC 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $101,850 Priciest in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Z4 if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (28 mpg vs 18 mpg combined)
- you mostly drive in town (25 mpg vs 16 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (33 mpg vs 24 mpg on the highway)
Choose the LC 500 if…
- you want more power (471 hp vs 255 hp)
- you need more seats (4 seats vs 2 seats)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (398 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Z4 or the LC 500?
The LC 500 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless your top priority is better fuel economy.
Executive Summary
The Z4 versus the LC 500 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because BMW and Lexus made different bets. To me, the standout is that the LC 500 offers 216 hp more power. Then there’s room for 4 seats, another point for the LC 500. To be fair, the Z4 has better fuel economy, and that’s not nothing.
Put simply, the Z4 suits people who care about fuel economy & range, while the LC 500 suits people who put engine & performance first.
My pick: if it were my money, the LC 500, unless you’d rather have better fuel economy on the Z4.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.