Mazda MX-5 Miata vs BMW Z4

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$29,830MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 BMW Z4
2020 BMW Z4
$49,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$29,830MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 BMW Z4
$49,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1990-1997

Years produced

2003-2017

MSRP

$29,830

MSRP

$49,700

Listings

2595

Listings

901

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Great handling

  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Not much cargo space

  • Limited interior space

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Great handling

Cons

  • Outdated technology

Reviews Summary

We don't know if Mazda planned on launching a classic when it dropped the little Miata roadster into dealerships way back in 1990. Yet here we are, 35 years later and the little rear-wheel drive, two-seat convertible is still going strong.

Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 is available with a soft or hard top and a six-speed manual transmission is standard. Some folks might complain about its minimal cargo space, cramped interior and hard-to-use technology. Others might want more straight-line power. Those folks just don't get it. The MX-5 isn't about practicality or beating a V8 off the line. Instead the Miata goes for driving fun where it counts– in the corners.

Verdict: The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a roadster that rewards drivers with precise handling that's only made better when the top is down and the tunes are cranked.

Reviews Summary

A redesign is never really complete until you have the full engine lineup involved. With last year’s redesign of the Z4, BMW left the iconic inline 6-cylinder engine on the shelf, leaving only 4-cylinder power for the punchy little roadster. This year, the I6 returns with the M40i trim, promising plenty of power to please the people.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 181 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 255 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

2

Seating Capacity

2

Horsepower

181 hp @ 7000 rpm

Horsepower

255 hp @ 5000 rpm

MPG City

26

MPG City

24

MPG Highway

34

MPG Highway

32
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$29,830MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 BMW Z4
2020 BMW Z4
$49,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$29,830MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 BMW Z4
$49,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1990-1997
2003-2017
MSRP
$29,830
$49,700
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.7

4.6

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Great handling

  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Not much cargo space

  • Limited interior space

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Great handling

Cons

  • Outdated technology

Summary

We don't know if Mazda planned on launching a classic when it dropped the little Miata roadster into dealerships way back in 1990. Yet here we are, 35 years later and the little rear-wheel drive, two-seat convertible is still going strong.

Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 is available with a soft or hard top and a six-speed manual transmission is standard. Some folks might complain about its minimal cargo space, cramped interior and hard-to-use technology. Others might want more straight-line power. Those folks just don't get it. The MX-5 isn't about practicality or beating a V8 off the line. Instead the Miata goes for driving fun where it counts– in the corners.

Verdict: The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a roadster that rewards drivers with precise handling that's only made better when the top is down and the tunes are cranked.

A redesign is never really complete until you have the full engine lineup involved. With last year’s redesign of the Z4, BMW left the iconic inline 6-cylinder engine on the shelf, leaving only 4-cylinder power for the punchy little roadster. This year, the I6 returns with the M40i trim, promising plenty of power to please the people.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 181 hp I4
2.0L 255 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
2
2
Horsepower
181 hp @ 7000 rpm
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
MPG City
26
24
MPG Highway
34
32
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons