• 2013

• 2010 BMW Z4

• Used BMW Z4
• Repairs BMW Z4

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall:	2010 BMW Z4 U.S. News Best Cars 8.3
Critics' Rating:	8.6
Performance:	8.2
Interior:	8.0
Safety:	N/A
Reliability:

How we calculate scores

Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

• Strong powertrain options
• Retractable hard top
• Improved materials and increased passenger room
• An iDrive media interface that's now easier to use

• Steering system lacks feedback
• Limited cargo room

Research Other Years

• 2013 BMW Z4
• 2012 BMW Z4
• 2011 BMW Z4
• 2009 BMW Z4
• 2008 BMW Z4

Reviewers report that the Z4's cabin is better than ever. Compared to the previous generation, it features higher-quality materials, more passenger room and enhanced convenience features.

• "The 2010 BMW's Z4's cabin is sleek and upscale. High-quality materials abound and combine with diverse shapes to create an undeniably premium environment." -- Edmunds
• "The interior of the car - in creamy white with charcoal black trim, in our case - was cleanly elegant and beautifully detailed, with trim lines shaped to promote a 'cocooning' effect." -- Road and Track
• "Overall, the interior appears to have moved decidedly more upscale, especially when equipped with the optional leather-wrapped dash. BMW says it focused on increased practicality as well. Door openings are larger for easier ingress and egress, and there are new storage compartments throughout the interior." -- Automobile Magazine

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Seating

On balance, auto writers find that the Z4's two-seater cabin can accommodate passengers of all sizes.

• "Interior comfort has been vastly improved, and headroom is up nearly two inches." -- Car and Driver
• "Improvements in space and headroom, small as they are, turn this car into something usable for 6-foot-5 beanpoles like me. It's still a bit of a climb, and one has to lower the seat all the way to optimize headroom, but the car is now comfortable and convenient to drive, even for tall people." -- Popular Mechanics
• "Seats are comfortable, with good upper body side support (adjustable), though the fit, overall, is rather snug, especially for a tall driver who likes some extra seatback recline." -- Road and Track
• "The cozy cabin has enough headroom and legroom for adults, and the standard manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps driver positioning. The optional power front seats are all-day comfortable, even for larger folk." -- Consumer Guide

Interior Features

The Z4 features loads of standard and optional convenience features -- including BMW's iDrive media interface, which reviewers say is improved and easier to use than prior iterations.

• "The gauges are well placed and easy to read. Most switchgear is logical and easy to find." -- Consumer Guide
• "Of course, it wouldn't be a new or refreshed BMW model without iDrive. Included with the optional navigation system, the latest-and much easier to use-version of the human-machine interface is paired with an 8.8-inch display that pops out of the top of the dash, just like the system in the current Z4." -- Car and Driver
• "The iDrive vehicle interface has been vastly improved -- it's now arguably the best of its breed, with an intuitive menu structure and helpful physical buttons alongside the familiar circular controller." -- Edmunds
• "Like the new 3 Series convertible, the Z4's leather features light-reflective technology to keep it from becoming scorching hot in bright sunlight." -- Cars.com

Cargo

The Z4 isn't designed to carry bulky items. Still, it features some useful on-board storage compartments and a tiny, yet useful, cargo hold. If you're in the market for a luxury sports car with more useful cargo room, check out the Corvette coupe. Its trunk provides 22.4 cubic-feet of space. The Porsche Boxster and Cayman also make good choices -- as each boasts a cargo hold in the front and rear.

• "The trunk is fairly roomy for a two-seat sports car, but it shrinks a bit with the top down. BMW claims the optional through-loading system allows a single full-size golf bag to fit with the top down, or two can be stowed with the top up." -- Consumer Guide
• "In the trunk, a mid-gate separating the roof compartment can be folded down for more luggage. An optional winter package adds a pass through to the cabin, allowing room for up to two full size golf bags with the top up, BMW says." -- Automobile Magazine
• "The Z4 is anything but a utilitarian purchase. When the hardtop is securely stashed, luggage space is limited, even though BMW has thoughtfully provided several useful storage compartments in the passenger compartment along with a luggage pass-through option." -- Popular Mechanics
• "Stashes abound: an electronic parking brake makes room for storage space in the center console, plus there's a real glove box and a small shelf behind the seats." -- Car and Driver