The Rolls-Royce Corniche does 10.2 mpg combined (8.7 city, 12.3 highway), which works out to about $3,765 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 5.4L 12-cyl does 13 mpg while 6.8L 8-cyl does 9.8 — a difference of $964 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Rolls-Royce Corniche engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 12-cyl | 11 / 15 | 2002–2002 | $2,954 | |
| 6.7L 8-cyl | 10 / 15 | 2000–2000 | $3,200 | |
| 6.8L 8-cyl | 8.5 / 11.8 | 1984–2001 | $3,918 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.314 |
| Fuel per year | $3,765 |
| Fuel over five years | $18,825 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$1,303 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $7,040 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 8.7 mpg | $4,414 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 12.3 mpg | $3,122 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.6 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Corniche changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2001 | 10 / 15 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 2000 | 10 / 15 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 1995 | 9 / 14 | 1 | $3,491 | |
| 1994 | 9 / 14 | 1 | $3,491 | |
| 1993 | 9 / 13 | 1 | $3,491 | |
| 1992 | 9 / 13 | 1 | $3,491 | |
| 1991 | 9 / 12 | 1 | $3,840 | |
| 1990 | 9 / 12 | 1 | $3,840 | |
| 1989 | 9 / 11 | 1 | $3,840 | |
| 1988 | 8 / 10 | 1 | $4,267 | |
| 1987 | 8 / 10 | 1 | $4,267 | |
| 1986 | 7 / 10 | 1 | $4,800 | |
| 1985 | 7 / 10 | 1 | $4,800 | |
| 1984 | 7 / 10 | 1 | $4,800 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Rolls-Royce Corniche get?
10.2 mpg combined on average — 8.7 in the city and 12.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2002.
How much does a Rolls-Royce Corniche cost in fuel per year?
About $3,765 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $18,825 over five years, or 0.314 dollars a mile.
Which Corniche engine is the most economical?
The 5.4L 12-cyl at 13 mpg, against 9.8 for the 6.8L 8-cyl — a difference of about $964 a year.
Is the Corniche good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg, computed across 4665 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.