2026 BMW Z4 M40i

The Z4 is BMW's two-seat roadster, the one you cross-shop with the Porsche Boxster when you want a drop-top that's more about cruising than lap times. It's a proper rear-drive sports car, with sharp steering and a chassis that feels balanced and playful on a back road. The ride is on the firm side, which is the trade for how flat it stays through corners, but it settles down nicely on the highway. Inside, the cabin is snug but well laid out, with supportive seats and a straightforward dashboard that puts the controls where you expect them. Its 3.0L I6 makes 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, routed through a eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and you'll feel every bit of that extra power when you step on it. The M40i's standard adaptive dampers let you firm up the suspension for a canyon run or soften it for a long highway cruise.