BMW Z4 vs Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the BMW Z4, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Mazda MX-5 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW Z4 | Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg | 30 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 25 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 33 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,700 | $2,550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 312 g/mi | 298 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI, 2.0 |
| Transmissions | Manual 6-spd, Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S7) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters | Two Seaters |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 25 | 25 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Z4 vs MX-5: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW Z4 or the Mazda MX-5?
The Mazda MX-5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the BMW Z4, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mazda MX-5 runs about $2,550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,700 for the BMW Z4 — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the Z4 and MX-5 offer?
BMW Z4: SIDI. Mazda MX-5: SIDI, 2.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW Z4 and the Mazda MX-5 as Two Seaters, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: bmw-z4-vs-mazda-mx-5