Compare the2026 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2025 BMW M4

Both the Corvette and the M4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium sporty cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The M4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the M4:

As tested in Motor Trend the Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 is faster than the M4 Competition xDrive (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the M4 Convertible:

The Corvette can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 5 miles. The M4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Corvette can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 5 miles. The M4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06/ZR1)’s fuel efficiency. The M4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the M4 (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Corvette has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The M4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Chevrolet Corvette comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M4.

The Corvette offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The M4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Corvette ZR1 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M4:

The Corvette stops shorter than the M4:

For better traction and acceleration, the Corvette has larger standard rear tires than the M4 (305/30R20 vs. 285/35R19). The Corvette Z06/E-Ray/ZR1’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the M4 (345/25R21 vs. 285/35R19).

The Corvette’s standard 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M4’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Corvette Z06/E-Ray/ZR1’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the M4’s optional 35 series front and 30 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels are standard on the M4. The Corvette Z06/E-Ray/ZR1’s 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels optional on the M4.

The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The M4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the M4.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe handles at 1.16 G’s, while the M4 Coupe pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Convertible handles at 1.10 G’s, while the M4 Competition Convertible xDrive pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the M4 Coupe (21.9 seconds @ .99 average G’s vs. 23.7 seconds @ .9 average G’s).

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Convertible executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the M4 Competition Convertible xDrive (22.7 seconds @ .93 average G’s vs. 23.5 seconds @ .9 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the M4’s (36.4 feet vs. 40 feet). The Corvette’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the M4’s (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the BMW M4.

The Corvette is 6.8 inches shorter than the M4, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Chevrolet Corvette amounts to more than styling. The Corvette has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the M4 (.34). A more efficient exterior helps the Corvette go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Corvette get better fuel mileage.

The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The M4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the M4 Convertible with its top down (12.6 vs. 10.6 cubic feet).

The Corvette offers an optional under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The M4 doesn’t offer an under hood light.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the M4, the Corvette offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corvette’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M4 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Corvette has standard extendable sun visors. The M4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Chevrolet Corvette stands out above the BMW M4 by offering not one, but Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the rear passengers.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Corvette was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 25 more times in the last 41 years. The 4 Series hasn’t been picked since 2014, and the 4 Series has only been chosen once.

Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The M4 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The M4 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the BMW 4 Series by 61% during 2024.