Verdict
These are radically different RM400k choices. The BMW Z4 costs RM475,230, RM45,342 more than the RM429,888 Lexus RZ, and trades practicality for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive convertible layout weighing 1,491 kg. Its 255 hp, 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and continues to 250 km/h. The five-seat RZ is marginally quicker at 5.3 seconds, with two motors producing 308 hp and 435 Nm, plus a 71.4 kWh battery rated for 440 km. For Malaysian daily use, the Lexus's 522-litre boot, five doors and much longer warranty make the stronger case; the Z4 is the focused open-top choice.
Pick the BMW Z4 if an open-top, rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a 250 km/h top speed matters more than rear seats, boot capacity and EV running.
Pick the Lexus RZ if you need five seats, a 522-litre boot, 440 km of rated EV range and a five-year vehicle warranty for RM45,342 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW Z4 RM475,230; Lexus RZ RM429,888.
- Powertrain: BMW Z4 255 hp/400 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol; Lexus RZ dual motors with 308 hp/435 Nm and a 71.4 kWh battery.
- Performance: BMW Z4 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Lexus RZ 5.3 seconds and 160 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW Z4 has 2 seats, 2 doors and a 280-litre boot; Lexus RZ has 5 seats, 5 doors and a 522-litre boot.
- Size and weight: BMW Z4 is 4,324 mm long and 1,491 kg; Lexus RZ is 4,805 mm long and 2,125 kg.
- Warranty: BMW Z4 has a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty; Lexus RZ has 5 years unlimited mileage plus an 8-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty.
Z4
- Rear-wheel drive and M Sport Suspension.
- 250 km/h top speed.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm from the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Only 2 seats and a 280-litre boot, versus 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Costs RM45,342 more.
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus the Lexus's five years.
RZ
- 440 km rated EV range from a 71.4 kWh battery.
- Five seats, five doors and a 522-litre boot.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, plus blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.
- 2,125 kg kerb weight versus the Z4's 1,491 kg.
- 160 km/h top speed versus 250 km/h.
- No paddle shifts or Tiptronic function, unlike the Z4.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM475,230 | RM429,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM335✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 308 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 435 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 71.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Co2 | 149 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,805 mm |
| Width | 1,864 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,304 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,491 kg | 2,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Austria (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Sport Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Flat Tyre Indicator | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on EV battery |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Z4 & RZ for sale
Z4 vs RZ FAQ
Is the BMW Z4 or Lexus RZ better?
The Lexus RZ is better for daily Malaysian use: it has five seats, a 522-litre boot, 440 km rated range and stronger safety assistance. Choose the BMW Z4 only if its convertible body, rear-wheel drive and 250 km/h top speed are the point.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM475,230 and the Lexus RZ costs RM429,888, so the Z4 is RM45,342 dearer.
Which is quicker, the BMW Z4 or Lexus RZ?
The Lexus RZ is fractionally quicker from 0-100 km/h, taking 5.3 seconds against the BMW Z4's 5.4 seconds. The Z4 has the much higher top speed at 250 km/h, versus 160 km/h for the RZ.