Lotus Elise - TopCarNews

Lotus Elise (2010 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Lotus Elise is a lightweight, mid-engined, two-seat roadster. The current model is known as the Series 3 and has been in production since 2010, although it is a direct evolution of the original Elise launched back in 1996.

As of 2019, the Elise is available in two configurations: the Sport 220 and the Cup 250. The standard model is already fairly spartan, but the Cup model is even harder-edged and aimed more at track day enthusiasts. There have also been countless limited-edition models over the years.

Being a very focussed driver’s car, the Lotus Elise has been universally praised for its driving dynamics. However, the other compromises required to achieve this have inevitably resulted in mixed reviews from the motoring media. Enthusiast titles like Evo and Car have given it outstanding scores, while consumer titles have marked it much more harshly.

The Lotus Elise finally ended production in December 2021 after 25 years. To mark the occasion, Lotus launched one last limited-edition model, the Final Edition, in either Sport 240 or Cup 250 variants.

As of December 2021, the Lotus Elise holds an Expert Rating of 76%, based on 19 reviews.

Key specifications

Body style: Two-door roadsterEngine: petrol
Price: From £41,655 on-road

Launched: Spring 2010Last updated: Autumn 2017
Replacement due: 2021

Image gallery

Lotus Elise Cup 250

Lotus Elise Sprint

Lotus Elise Cup 250

Lotus Elise Classic Heritage Edition Type 81

Elise Sport 240 Final Edition (2021)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“Lightweight Lotus Elise sports car priorities handling and performance above all else.”
Read review

Model reviewed: S CupScore: 8 / 10“At £6,300 more than a standard Lotus Elise S, the S Cup version isn’t particularly cheap, especially when the base model will be quick, responsive and engaging enough for most. Yet the added visual, aural and mechanical drama makes it one of the most intoxicating sports cars at any price.”
Read review

Autocar

Model reviewed: Sport 240 Final Edition 2021Score: 9 / 10“Lightweight sports car bows out with this more potent, last-of-its-kind celebration of an icon.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Cup 250Score: 8 / 10“An enduring, brilliant sporting legend — but an increasingly expensive one.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The Lotus Elise is utterly brilliant to drive if you’re in the mood. It has one of the world’s best-handling chassis and exquisite steering. Use the gearbox and you’ll enjoy an eager, unburstable engine in a car whose size renders these assets fantastically usable.”
Read review

Model reviewed: SprintScore: 8 / 10“The Lotus Elise is a unique proposition whose charm has barely diminished over the years.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Sprint 220Score: 10 / 10“The damping, the steering, the power delivery, the chassis balance… they’re all extraordinary. Living with a Lotus Elise Sprint 220 on a daily basis wouldn’t be the easiest thing in the world but it would offer thrills that nothing this side of an Ariel Atom could top.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Cup 250Score: 10 / 10“If you love Lotus, love sports cars and love trackdays, you’ll love this. It’s eminently capable as a circuit-only car, and still tolerable enough on the road – although, admittedly, the price will keep everyone bar enthusiasts at bay.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6.2 / 10“With incredible handling and thrilling performance, the Lotus Elise is one of the most successful and popular British sports cars of its generation.”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Lotus Elise is one of the most no-nonsense sports cars you can buy today. However, newer alternatives with more technology are much better value.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 10 / 10“The Elise, with exceptional feel and control as well as compliance and ride quality, couldn’t be anything other than a Lotus.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The Sprint edition of the Lotus Elise has removed 41 kg from the previous model, to reach a benchmark dry weight of just 798 kg.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Sport 240 Final EditionScore: 9 / 10“With its sublime chassis stealing the show, the supercharged four-cylinder engine inevitably feels like a supporting act. Still, your mind will be elsewhere: working the well-oiled gearshift and perfectly spaced pedals. The Elise isn’t a car you drive on auto-pilot, you’re in constant conversation with it. That limits its appeal as a daily driver for many, but I’d gladly accept the challenge.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“It lacks the practicality and usability to be everyday transport for most, but as an indulgence it’s ideal. Affordable prices and good economy mean it needn’t be expensive to run either.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Cup 250Score: 8 / 10“Undeniably quick and composed . . . but could it be more fun?”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Raw, fast and astonishing fun, but a costly pleasure.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Sport 240 Final EditionScore: 9 / 10“There’s nothing else quite like the Lotus Elise. Nothing that drives like it or has the same sense of purity and clarity.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“If you really, truly care about driving, the Lotus Elise is about as obvious an answer as water being wet and fire being hot.”
Read review

What Car?

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“A proper sports car, full of sensation. The Lotus Elise demands dedication for day-to-day use, but it’s worth the effort.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of November 2021, the Lotus Elise has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP and given its tiny sales volumes, it’s not likely to be. If it does, we’ll include the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Lotus Elise has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Lotus Elise has received

2019

Autocar Awards – Icon of Icons Award

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Lotus Elise, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Buy or lease a Lotus Elise

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new or used Elise, The Car Expert’s partners have thousands of cars to choose from

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.

The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place.

We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Keyword: Lotus Elise