BMW i8 vs. Ferrari California T
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i8 and Ferrari California T contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i8 and the Ferrari California T.
When comparing the BMW i8's and the Ferrari California T's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Ferrari California T has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW i8's and the Ferrari California T's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 is a better car than the Ferrari California T.
Pricing: A used 2017 BMW i8 ranges from $32,143 to $74,328 while a used 2017 Ferrari California T is priced between $108,380 to $163,999.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i8’s base engine makes 357 horsepower, and the Ferrari California T base engine makes 553 horsepower. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles. The California T is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 474 miles.This gives the BMW i8 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Ferrari California T the advantage in maximum range. The i8 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the California T uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW i8 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, and front shoulder room. The Ferrari California T has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
143400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
133000
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
99600 - 156000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
202723
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
56138
Price Range:
32143 - 74328
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
92905
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
56138 - 129672
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
9
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33888
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
139930
Price Range:
108380 - 163999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
0
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Ferrari California T Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ferrari California T
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9353469347611427
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9 - 24.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6124395776861782
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
23 out of / 27Ranking
29 out of / 37Ferrari California T Rankings
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Base
Ferrari California T Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
357 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.103 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
553 hp @ 7500 rpm
Torque:
557 foot-lbs @ 4750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.145 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 29 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
326 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.9 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 474 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
81.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37 inches
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
75.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3455 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.8 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3813 lbs
Width:
75.2 inches
Height:
52 inches
Length:
179.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40ZR19
Exterior Colors
Gray
Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Silver
Ionic Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Gray
Argento Nurburgring Metallic / Canna Di Fucile / Grigio Alloy Metallic / Grigio Ingrid Metallic / Grigio Scuro / Grigio Silverstone Metallic / Grigio Titanio Metallic
Silver
Grigio Ferro
White
Bianco Avus
Beige
Avorio
Black
Nero Daytona Metallic / Nero DS 1250
Blue
Azzurro California Metallic / Blu Abu Dhabi Metallic / Blu California / Blu Mirabeau Metallic / Blu Pozzi / Blu Scozia / Blu Swaters / Blu Tour De France Metallic
Green
Verde British
Orange
Rosso Dino
Purple
Rosso Fiorano
Red
Rosso California / Rosso Corsa / Rosso Mugello / Rosso Scuderia
Yellow
Giallo Modena
Interior Colors
Brown
Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Giga Amido / Mega Carum Spice Grey
White
Giga Ivory White
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Bordeaux / Cioccolato / Cuoio / Iroko / Terra Bruciata
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
Beige
Beige Tradizone / Crema / Sabbia / Tortora
Black
Charcoal / Nero
Blue
Blu Medio / Blu Sterling / Carta Da Zucchero
Red
Rosso Ferrari
