Compare the2024 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2024 BMW Z4

The Camaro has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Z4 doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head.

Both the Camaro and the Z4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the Z4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Z4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camaro first among midsize sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Z4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the Z4:

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8 is faster than the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Z4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Camaro LT1/SS for maximum performance). The Z4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (19 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Z4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Z4.

For better stopping power the Camaro ZL1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The Camaro stops much shorter than the Z4:

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the Z4 (245/50R18 vs. 225/45R18). The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z4 (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z4’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The Z4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Z4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Z4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 13.5 inches longer than on the Z4 (110.7 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

The Camaro has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z4 can only carry 2.

The Camaro Convertible has 33 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z4 (85 vs. 52).

The Camaro (except LT1)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camaro’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Z4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Camaro has standard extendable sun visors. The Z4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camaro (except LT1) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW Z4 isn’t available as a coupe.

The Camaro was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2016, 2017, and 2018. The Z4 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Z4 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the BMW Z4 by almost 16 to one during 2022.