@ BMW Group Press
@ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
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BMW Z4 vs VW Golf - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (340 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (43500 £ vs 25200 £) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW Z4 or VW Golf?

BMW Z4

VW Golf

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Z4 @ BMW Group Press

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Golf has a decisively advantage in terms of price – it starts at 25200 £, while the BMW Z4 costs 43500 £. That’s a price difference of around 18262 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Golf manages with 1.10 L and is therefore convincingly more efficient than the BMW Z4 with 6.90 L. The difference is about 5.80 L per 100 km.

Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW Z4 has a barely noticeable edge – offering 340 HP compared to 333 HP. That’s roughly 7 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW Z4 is barely noticeable quicker – completing the sprint in 4.50 s, while the VW Golf takes 4.60 s. That’s about 0.10 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the VW Golf performs barely noticeable better – reaching 270 km/h, while the BMW Z4 tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: BMW Z4 pulls somewhat stronger with 500 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 80 Nm difference.

Z4 @ BMW Group Press

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: VW Golf offers convincingly more seating capacity – 5 vs 2.

In curb weight, VW Golf is slightly lighter – 1307 kg compared to 1510 kg. The difference is around 203 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Golf offers noticeable more room – 381 L compared to 281 L. That’s a difference of about 100 L.

When it comes to payload, VW Golf decisively takes the win – 508 kg compared to 235 kg. That’s a difference of about 273 kg.

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the VW Golf shows itself to be outperforms in nearly all aspects and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

from about £25,200
Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
details
BMW Z4
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a taut, road-hugging roadster that pairs elegant, low-slung styling with a roof you can drop on a sunny whim, delivering that pure, wind-in-your-hair driving thrill few cars manage to match. It’s an ideal weekend companion for drivers who prefer engagement over practicality — bring good shoes rather than a lot of luggage, and you’ll get a grin every time you turn the wheel.

details
P90479448_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479454_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479457_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479470_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479471_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

details
DB2019AU02117_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02116_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02120_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02082_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02081_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02087_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02105_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

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Costs and Consumption
Price
43500 - 65300 £
Price
25200 - 47600 £
Consumption L/100km
6.9 - 8.5 L
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
157 - 191 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
52 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
2
Doors
5
Curb weight
1510 - 1640 kg
Curb weight
1307 - 1662 kg
Trunk capacity
281 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4324 mm
Length
4282 - 4296 mm
Width
1864 mm
Width
1789 mm
Height
1303 - 1304 mm
Height
1454 - 1483 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1129 - 1237 L
Payload
215 - 235 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
197 - 340 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.5 - 6.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
240 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
202 - 270 km/h
Torque
320 - 500 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
145 - 250 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1998 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW

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What drive types are available for the BMW Z4?

The BMW Z4 is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.