The Ferrari California does 15.3 mpg combined (13.3 city, 19 highway), which works out to about $2,510 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Ferrari California engine, compared
The Ferrari California was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 13.3 / 19 | 2009–2014 | $2,510 |
What that actually costs
The Ferrari California burns a gallon every 15.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 784 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.209 |
| Fuel per year | $2,510 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,550 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$125 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $5,033 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ferrari California gives up 5.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19 out there against 13.3 in town, a 43% drop worth $866 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 13.3 mpg | $2,887 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the California changed over the years
The California peaked in 2014 at 16 mpg (14 city, 19 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2012 at 15 — 1 mpg apart, or $160 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2014 car does 16. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2013 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2012 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2011 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2010 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2009 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Ferrari California — 1 engine across 2009–2014. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $5,033. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ferrari California get?
15.3 mpg combined on average — 13.3 in the city and 19 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2009–2014.
How much does a Ferrari California cost in fuel per year?
About $2,510 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,550 over five years, or 0.209 dollars a mile.
Which California engine is the most economical?
The 4.3L 8-cyl at 15.3 mpg.
Is the California good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world California figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Ferrari California is $5,033 against the $2,510 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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