BMW Z4 Tenerife Driving Review: Real Roads Tested

When you land in Tenerife, the urge to drop the roof and drive is immediate. The island offers a massive variety of microclimates and road types, making it a brilliant testing ground for a rear-wheel-drive roadster. We wanted to see if the modern Z4 is just a boulevard cruiser or if it can actually handle the demanding volcanic topography of the Canary Islands.

We spent several days driving this exact model across the island. From the sun-drenched southern motorways to the misty northern forests, we put it through its paces to give you a clear picture of what it is actually like to drive here. If you are wondering whether this is the right car for your holiday itinerary, here is exactly how it performs on real Tenerife tarmac.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

Heading out from the airport, the TF-1 motorway along the south coast offers long fast sweepers that immediately put you at ease. Here, the Z4 feels incredibly planted and refined. With the roof down and the wind deflector in place, cabin turbulence is minimal even at motorway speeds. The suspension absorbs the expansion joints well, making it a surprisingly comfortable long-distance tourer. You can easily cruise past the coastal towns while enjoying a clear conversation with your passenger.

Turning inland and upward onto the TF-21 climbing to Mount Teide, the environment changes rapidly. You climb to 2,100 metres above sea level. The air gets noticeably thin and there is a big temperature drop as you ascend through the pine forests. You will definitely want the heated seats and climate control turned up if you choose to keep the roof down. The punchy 3.0-litre automatic BMW Z4 handles the altitude without breaking a sweat. Forced induction means the engine does not gasp for air like older naturally aspirated cars used to do on this mountain. The gearbox shifts sharply on the steep inclines, keeping you right in the power band as you tackle the sweeping curves leading up to the lunar landscape of the national park.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

The Z4 is absolutely in its element on the Anaga forest roads in the north. These roads are damp, twisty and often misty. The rear-wheel-drive balance of the car makes threading through these green canopies a joy. The steering is direct and the chassis communicates well, giving you confidence even when the tarmac is slick from the morning fog. You can feel the weight distribution working in your favour as you pivot around medium-speed corners.

However, it is not perfect everywhere. You need to be honest with yourself about where you plan to drive. Take the TF-436 into Masca, for example. These are extremely narrow cliff hairpins where small cars have a distinct advantage. The Z4 has a long bonnet and a relatively wide track. Navigating these blind corners with oncoming tourist buses can be a highly stressful experience. You sit low in the car, which reduces your forward visibility over the steep drops. If your itinerary involves a lot of remote, single-lane mountain villages, you will need to drive with extreme caution and be prepared to reverse to let wider traffic pass.

Practical notes

Down at sea level, you will likely spend time in the resort streets of Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas. Navigating these busy areas requires patience. You will face tight parking spaces and the dreaded blue-line meters. Fortunately, the parking sensors and cameras are excellent, but you still have to be mindful of the long doors when squeezing into a bay next to a concrete pillar. The turning circle is reasonable, but the low ride height means you must take speed bumps in the resort areas very slowly to avoid scraping the front splitter.

Luggage space is always a concern in a convertible, but the Z4 manages it well. Because it uses a folding soft top rather than a bulky hard top, the boot space remains the same whether the roof is up or down. You can comfortably fit two standard cabin bags and a couple of soft backpacks. If you are bringing large hard-shell suitcases, you will struggle. Fuel economy is surprisingly decent if you leave it in comfort mode on the TF-1, but expect it to drop significantly when you are pushing up the steep grades of the TF-21.

Verdict

The BMW Z4 is a highly capable and enjoyable way to see Tenerife. It offers an excellent blend of comfort for the coastal motorways and dynamic ability for the sweeping mountain passes. While the wide stance makes the tightest cliff roads like Masca a bit of a chore, the overall experience of driving an open-top sports car through the varied climates of this island is hard to beat. It suits couples packing light who want to make the journey just as memorable as the destination.

Where to book the BMW Z4 in Tenerife

If this one sounds like your kind of drive, you can check dates and prices for the BMW Z4 hire in Tenerife directly. Prefer to compare first? Browse all Bmw rentals in Tenerife, convertible car hire in Tenerife, car hire in Tenerife.