The BMW Z4 does 24.3 mpg combined (21.3 city, 29.5 highway), which works out to about $1,580 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 27.2 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $417 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every BMW Z4 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW Z4 ranges from 27.2 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $417 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.8 / 32.5 | 2012–2026 | $1,412 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 20.1 / 27.9 | 2006–2026 | $1,684 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2003–2005 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The BMW Z4 burns a gallon every 24.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 494 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.132 |
| Fuel per year | $1,580 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,900 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$350 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,210 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW Z4 gives up 8.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.5 out there against 21.3 in town, a 38% drop worth $501 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.3 mpg | $1,803 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.5 mpg | $1,302 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.2 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Z4 changed over the years
The Z4 peaked in 2019 at 28 mpg (25 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 21 — 7 mpg apart, or $458 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 26.5. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 / 31 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 31 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2024 | 24 / 32 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 32 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2022 | 23.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2021 | 23.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2019 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2016 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2015 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2014 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2013 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2012 | 21 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2011 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2006 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 34 EPA ratings of the BMW Z4 — 3 engines across 2003–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,210. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW Z4 get?
24.3 mpg combined on average — 21.3 in the city and 29.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2003–2026.
How much does a BMW Z4 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,580 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,900 over five years, or 0.132 dollars a mile.
Which Z4 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 27.2 mpg, against 21 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $417 a year.
Is the Z4 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Z4 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the BMW Z4 is $3,210 against the $1,580 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 28 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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