The Most Fuel Efficient Factory Turbocharged Sports Car In 2024

Usually, fuel economy is not something that BMW is known for. The German brand always sits near the top in terms of luxury, comfort, speed, and horsepower. However, in their two-pronged quest to create the fastest cars as well as the most luxurious cars, they don’t often get credit for their efficiency.

If you’re looking for an entry-level sports car that you can drive daily, then chances are that fuel economy is pretty important to you. Hence, the BMW Z4 should definitely be on your radar. As far as dedicated sports cars go, it is easily the most efficient vehicle to feature a turbocharger.

We take a dive into the fuel efficiency of the 2024 Z4, uncovering which particular model nets you the best fuel economy. We take a look at the more powerful model as well and determine just how much that extra performance will cost you when you fill up. Finally, we present some ownership costs that might affect your desire to take this sports car home.

BMW’s 2024 Z4 Gets Up To 28 Miles Per Gallon Combined

While there are some cars that are a little sporty that might manage more efficiency than the Z4, we feel that the BMW roadster best fits the definition of a sports car. Its turbocharged two-liter engine is also incredibly efficient and helps those looking for an entry point into the world of performance cars save money.

Fuel Economy

The 2024 BMW Z4 comes with two different powertrains, the more efficient of which comes in the base sDrive30i. In the testing done by the EPA, the Z4 performed exceptionally. Given that this car is a dedicated performance car, it’s pretty impressive that it manages to achieve 28 miles per gallon combined.

Performance

To achieve this impressive fuel economy, the Z4 makes use of its impressive turbocharged two-liter inline four-cylinder. This powertrain can be found on every base sDrive30i model and is paired with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel control the Z4s’ shifts through one of the most responsive automatic transmissions on the market. Despite only outputting 255 horsepower, the Z4 still manages impressive acceleration, achieving a 5.1 second zero to 60 mile per hour run in Car And Driver’s tests.

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The Z4 Is Slightly More Efficient Than Its Twin, The GR Supra

As many people love to constantly point out, the BMW Z4 and the Toyota GR Supra were developed side by side, with the two automakers sharing various parts. This means that the Supra houses the same turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder as the Z4. However, it’s not quite as efficient.

GR Supra Fuel Economy

It’s not a massive difference, we know, but the fact is that the Z4 is more efficient. Despite sharing the same powertrain, the two-liter version of the GR Supra loses two miles per gallon on the highway compared to the BMW. Their ratings in city driving remain the same, though, according to the EPA. Regardless of this, the Supra is one of the most affordable high-performance Japanese sports cars you can buy today.

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The More Powerful 3.0-Liter Engine Is Still Pretty Economical

The sDrive30i is not the only version of the 2024 Z4 that you can take home. There is a much more powerful M40i. This version swaps out the four-banger for a turbocharged inline-six that pumps out massive amounts of power. What is particularly impressive, is that the impact on fuel economy is relatively minimal.

Fuel Economy

We’ll go into just how much more powerful the six-cylinder is compared to the four-cylinder below, but just know that it’s a lot. That’s why it is so impressive that the Z4 with this powertrain only effectively loses two miles per gallon in every test. While this isn’t completely negligible, it’s pretty damn close.

Performance

The turbocharged inline-six is an absolute monster and pairs nicely with the German brand’s practically telekinetic automatic transmission. Where the eight-speed used to be the only choice, you can now equip the M40i with a six-speed manual for an additional charge. Take into account that in the Supra, the six-speed manual is much less fuel-efficient than the automatic.

The Z4 M40i may not be as sharp or driver-centric as some other sports cars, but it’s incredibly quick. Car and Driver even managed a 3.5-second run from zero to 60 miles per hour. The M treatment also packs on a ton of sporty equipment that helps it carve corners. The Z4 M40i remains one of the most underrated BMW performance cars ever.

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BMW’s Roadster Starts At A Reasonable $54,050

One of the best parts of the BMW Z4 is that it’s not absurdly expensive. It may cost you more than its Toyota counterpart, but the luxury feel of a BMW cannot be replicated. Considering the equipment that you get, the Z4 is actually pretty impressive value for money.

Trims

While the M40i will definitely attract a number of buyers, we think that the base model is actually the better deal. Without taking into account the Supra, the Z4’s main rival is the Porsche 718. The sDrive30i may not be as powerful or as locked in, but it is a boatload cheaper. HotCars offers a comprehensive guide to the 2024 Z4, detailing all its features.

The Z4 sDrive30i, while undoubtedly a sports car, falls a little more in line with luxury grand tourers than it does purist track-focused cars. Its interior is of a higher quality than just about any other car in this class. If the M40i still sounds more appealing to you, then we’d really suggest checking out the 3.0-liter Supra instead.

Saving money by going with the base model also allows you to increase the luxury of your Z4 by adding optional extras. For instance, you can upgrade to leather upholstery on your seats for $1,500. You can also tack on the Convenience Package for $800 which adds lumbar support, keyless entry, and ambient lighting.

The Premium Package, which costs $2,800 adds remote engine start, a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, and parking assist on top of the features offered in the Convenience Package. An essential is also the Dynamic Handling Package. This costs $2,450 dollars and adds improved brakes, Adaptive M Suspension, and an M Sport differential.

Every Z4 Has Hidden Costs That Most People Might Not Consider

While the Z4 offers pretty impressive value, with sports car performance and a luxe interior, there are some costs associated with owning this roadster that may put you off taking one home.

Cost Of Ownership

One massive cost when owning any vehicle is maintenance. CarEdge reports on how much it costs to maintain a Z4 on average for its first ten years. You can expect to fork out approximately $13,999 in ten years to service and maintain the BMW roadster. This is $1,678 more expensive than the average luxury convertible.

Depreciation is another major factor in car ownership. Knowing that you are going to lose a large portion of your investment can definitely be a red flag when buying a new car. BMWs are particularly bad when it comes to depreciation. According to CarEdge, the BMW Z4 depreciates an average of 44 percent in its first five years. By the time you’re ready to sell it and move on, it most likely will have lost more than half its value.

Warranties And Complimentary Maintenance

If the figures above have completely scared you away, we don’t blame you. However, there is a silver lining. For those looking to buy their Z4 brand-new, BMW offers a massive incentive in the form of a complimentary maintenance plan. This plan covers your Z4 for three years or 36,000 miles, much more than any of the Z4’s competitors. This means you can at least dodge some of the above costs for a while.

Warranties on the Z4 are pretty stock standard. The limited warranty extends for four years or 50,000 miles and the powertrain warranty covers the Z4 for the same amount of time.