2009 Ferrari California
Based on analysis of 10 California reviews and test drives.
Ferrari California - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Ferrari California ranks 7 out of 8 Exotic Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 10 published reviews and test drives of the Ferrari California, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Praised for its combination of sports performance, elegance and everyday practicality, the 2009 California is the perfect car for those in need of more panache than a Bentley can provide.
The all-new Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car engineered to be both thrilling and practical. Introduced in 1957, the California nameplate has long served as a symbol of exclusivity and escapism. Nowhere is this more evident than in the 1986 cult-classic Ferris Bueller's Day off, in which bad-boy Ferris convinces his uptight buddy, Cameron, to steal his father's much-loved 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder for a day out on the town. The new California, however, is significantly different from its predecessor.
True to its design as a grand tourer, the California is as exciting to drive as it is elegant, comfortable and practical. However, test drivers note that several competitors provide for a more visceral driving experience. If you're in the market for an exotic street machine that you don't plan to drive everyday, consider the Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Gallardo. They're just as exclusive, but better equipped to handle the twists and turns of back road burns. Plus, reviewers rave about their look-at-me-styling, as opposed to the California's attractive, yet subdued, look.
The '09 California is available in one trim and features a retractable hardtop.
- "Are you ready for a Ferrari to drive to the office, the mall, the beach, the slopes -- anywhere, everywhere? That's the concept behind this revival of a name from Ferrari;s storied past -- a fast GT that supplies style, panache, plenty of performance, and thanks to its folding hardtop and 'two-plus' interior layout, an unusually high level of all-around usefulness." -- Car and Driver
- "The 2009 Ferrari California has been made for people who highly value the combination of driving comfort and speed. Its mission is to attract new clientele, the people who have been finding their way to Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes AMG or even Porsche." -- Edmunds
- "With four seats, the Ferrari California is aimed at those who want the looks and performance of a Ferrari but don't want to stretch to one of the two V12 models - the 599 GTB and the 612 Scaglietti - which are priced at closer to $600,000." -- Drive.com
California Performance - 9.2 (Excellent)
Test drivers are pleased with the California's satisfying balance of sports performance and everyday drivability. "The product of ceaseless development, racing dominance and collaboration with its technical partners, the California comes standard with all the bells, whistles and bar-room bragging rights you can shake an aluminum-alloy stick at," writes Autoblog. Still, critics note that other Ferraris offer stronger sports performance. Read More
California Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)
Reviewers, on balance, find the California attractive. Unlike its Ferrari siblings, however, it doesn't leave everyone enamored. Edmunds writes: "No question about it, the newest Ferrari is a looker. Full-figured, but a looker still the same." The California features a retractable hardtop. Read More
California Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)
Critics report that the California's cabin is both elegant and practical. Its optional back seat, however, is too cramped to carry passengers. According to Car and Driver, "Ferrari presented this element of the new car as 2+, refraining from referring to it as a classic two-plus-two, since the space, smaller than the rear seat in a Porsche 911, seemed a little too claustrophobic for human beings." Still, its folding seat back makes carrying lengthy cargo a breeze. Read More
California Safety - NA
Neither the federal government nor insurance industry has crash tested the 2009 California. However, it comes equipped with lots of safety features, including an automatic roll bar. Read More
California Reliability - NA
Ferrari covers the California with a two-year/unlimited-mile warranty, which includes basic and powertrain coverage. A warranty extension is available through Ferrari Financial Services. Read More