Z4 vs Z
In the sports car class, the Z4 and the Z are natural rivals. You can’t have it all with either one. The Z4 is the fuel economy & range pick, and the Z is the engine & performance pick.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Z wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Z4 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance2.1
- Fuel Economy & Range6.0
- Engine & Performance4.4
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
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
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The Z has 145 hp more power
The Z’s 400 hp leaves the Z4’s 255 hp well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Z4 has better fuel economy
Not a close call. The Z4 lists 28 mpg and the Z lists 20 mpg. That’s a substantial gap. The Z4 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Z has 55 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 350 lb-ft against 295 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Z. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The Z4 has better city fuel economy
The Z gives up a lot on fuel economy (city): 18 mpg, compared with 25 mpg on the Z4. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Z4 has the better rating here.
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The Z4 has better highway fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The Z4 brings 33 mpg to the table; the Z brings 24 mpg. The Z4 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 172.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 51.8 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 100.4 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,486 lb Heaviest in class |
Engine & Performance
Z leads
This section belongs to the Z. In engine & performance, it leads the Z4 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Z takes this one with 145 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the Z is the stronger car.
Total system output
Z4: 255 hp Z: 400 hp The Z’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Z4: 295 lb-ft Z: 350 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
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Z4 leads the fuel economy & range section with room to spare. On its side, the Z4 has better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. That makes the Z4 the natural choice for buyers focused on fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Z4: 28 mpg Z: 20 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Z4: 25 mpg Z: 18 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Z4 starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on space & practicality. The space & practicality verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t off-road & towing. Treat off-road & towing as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Safety & Tech
The Z4 and the Z differ on safety & tech in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 |
| Total system output | 255 hp | 400 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual (9-speed automatic available) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 28 mpg (winner) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 25 mpg (winner) | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 33 mpg (winner) | 24 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 seats | 2 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 8 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Z4 | Z |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 172.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 51.8 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 100.4 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,486 lb Heaviest 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 20 mpg combined)
- you mostly drive in town (25 mpg vs 18 mpg in the city)
- you want better highway fuel economy (33 mpg vs 24 mpg)
Choose the Z if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (400 hp vs 255 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (350 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re loyal to Nissan and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Z4 or the Z?
There’s no single right answer. The Z4 leads on fuel economy & range and the Z on engine & performance.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the Z4 and the Z, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. I keep coming back to one thing: the Z4 gets better fuel economy. The Z4 also scores with better highway fuel economy. In fairness to the Z, 145 hp more power is a genuine strength.
For fuel economy & range, the Z4 fits better. For engine & performance, the Z is the better match.
My pick: there’s no single winner, so choose the Z4 for fuel economy & range or the Z for engine & performance.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.