BMW and Porsche produce some of the best German sports cars on the market. Like most sports cars, these two brands produce cars that perform exceptionally well, have excellent handling, and are thrilling to drive. But which car is better between the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster?
BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster are both excellent cars with lots of features to offer. Picking one over the other is quite challenging as they both have different things to offer. BMW Z4 is ideal for people who want a comfortable, powerful, and luxurious convertible, while the Porsche 718 Boxster offers excellent handling, a sports ride, and great acceleration.
Despite these high-end German cars being convertibles, Porsche Boxster has a sportier look and performs similar to other sports cars compared to BMW Z4. On the contrary, BMW Z4 is more practical as its more spacious and comfortable than the Porsche 718 Boxster.
How does the BMW Z4 compare to the Porsche Boxster?
Exterior and interior appearance?
Porsche 718 Boxster and BMW Z4 are both beautifully designed and will capture the attention of onlookers as they cruise down the street. However, the Porsche Boxster has a lovelier exterior design and finish compared to the BMW Z4. So, it will create more attention because of its sporty design.
The Porsche 718 Boxster features the elegant Porsche Dynamic Light System with bi-xenon headlights and LED running lights. And with its sleek and traditional design, this car will attract more people on the road than the BMW Z4.
On the contrary, the BMW Z4 outdoes the Porsche 718 Boxster when it comes to interior design and finishes. Not only does the Z4 feature a high-quality interior, but it’s also spacious. It boasts features such as Vernasca leather in red or cognac, outstanding panel fitment, and fantastic control placement.
While the BMW Z4 has a lively and thriving interior, the Porsche 718 Boxster’s interior is quite lacking. For instance, the seats in the Porsche Boxster lack the adjustable bolstering of the BMW Z4 chairs. What’s more, Porsche’s infotainment screen is smaller than the Z4, but it is properly integrated into the center stack.
All in all, these two cars are well-built and look elegant both inside and outside. But if you want exterior beauty, Porsche carries. On the other hand, BMW comes with a more luxurious, spacious, and more advanced interior than the Porsche 718 Boxster.
Performance
Surprisingly, BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster perform outstandingly. They deliver similar power and are very fast. However, they also have different variants, which are important to highlight when it comes to performance.
The BMW Z4 has two variants: sDrive30i Roadster with a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 gas engine with 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers a maximum of 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The second variant is the M40i Roadster with a 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 gas engine with 8-speed automatic transmission.
Besides, the BMW Z4 M40i Roadster produces a maximum of 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. With such power, the BMW Z4 M40i is more powerful than all the Porsche Boxster variants. On the other hand, Porsche Boxster has a total of five variants, which include Boxster, Boxster T, Boxster S, Boxster GTS 4.0, and Boxster 25 Years Edition.
The base Porsche 718 Boxster model comes with a 2.0-liter turbo flat 4 gas engine with a 6-speed manual. This engine delivers a maximum of 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the most powerful trim, which is the Boxster GTS 4.0 comes with a 4.0-liter flat 6 gas engine that delivers up to 394 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
When you compare the top BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster variants, you will find out that both are equally fast. The BMW Z4 accelerates from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds, while the Porsche Boxster takes 3.8 seconds. On top of that, the Porsche Boxster has a top speed of 182 mph, while the BMW Z4 has a top speed of 162 mph.
Handling
When it comes to handling, the Porsche 718 Boxster is way easier to handle than the BMW Z4. Nevertheless, when you compare the Z4 with other competitors, it’s ahead of them. The Porsche Boxster is lighter, meaning controlling the car is also much easier, more so after corners.
Price
As expected, the BMW Z4 is much cheaper than the Porsche Boxster. The base price of the Porsche Boxster is $62,500, while the base price of the BMW Z4 is $50,000. So, if you want value for money, the BMW Z4 is the better car as it provides so much for less compared to the Porsche 718 Boxster.
A little bit about the Porsche Boxster hardtop version.
FAQ
Which car is faster – BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster?
A few years ago, the BMW Z4 has the faster car as it only took 3.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, while it took the Porsche Boxster 4.5 seconds. But currently, Porsche has introduced the GTS 4.0 model, which is quicker and faster than the Z4. This car takes 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 and it has a top speed of 182 compared to Z4’s 162 mph.
Is BMW better than Porsche?
It depends on what you’re looking for. BMW offers better performance, but Porsche is faster and provides sportier cars than BMW. What’s more, Porsche cars are more reliable, while BMW comes with more advanced features. So, the choice is yours depending on what you prefer.
Which car is more luxurious – Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4?
Normally, Porsche SUVs and sedans are more luxurious than BMW SUVs and sedans. But in this case, the BMW Z4 is more luxurious than the Porsche Boxster. Thanks to the advanced and high-quality interior of the BMW Z4 that makes it look more spectacular than that of the Porsche.
Summary
After comparing these two amazing sports cars, picking one over the other shouldn’t be a hurdle. Regardless, the Porsche 718 Boxster is the overall best car as it offers top speed, better handling, and is more reliable. Nonetheless, the BMW Z4 performs outstandingly, it’s more advanced, and comfortable.
Pricewise, the BMW Z4 is way cheaper than the Porsche Boxster. However, it is quite heavier and costlier to repair. All in all, these roadsters are excellent and it depends on your budget and preference.
