2026 head-to-head · Two-Seater
2026 BMW Z4 vs Lotus Emira
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 21 MPG
The 2026 BMW Z4 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $2,116 a year to fuel (28 MPG), versus $2,214 for the 2026 Lotus Emira (21 MPG). That's roughly $98 a year, or about $491 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- BMW Z4
- Lotus Emira
Side by side
| BMW Z4 | Lotus Emira | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,214 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 21 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 18 MPG |
| 33 MPG | Highway | 26 MPG |
| — | Passenger volume | 49 cu ft |
| — | Cargo volume | 5 cu ft |
| 312 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 418 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
BMW Z4 vs Lotus Emira across model years
- BMW Z4
- Lotus Emira
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 20 2026 two-seaters, the BMW Z4 ranks 3rd and the Lotus Emira 5th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW Z4 or the 2026 Lotus Emira?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW Z4. The BMW Z4 is rated 28 MPG combined and the Lotus Emira 21 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW Z4 vs. the Lotus Emira per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $2,116 for the BMW Z4 and $2,214 for the Lotus Emira.
BMW Z4 vs Lotus Emira in other years
More 2026 comparisons
BMW Z4 vs…
Or compare the 2026 BMW Z4 with anything else: