Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lotus Exige review

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 adds V6 power to the lightweight sports car to create one of the best handling cars on the market

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Brilliant handling, great acceleration, surprisingly comfortable ride
  • Very impractical, poor quality cabin, high price tag
Find your Lotus Exige
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

The Lotus Exige is a rival for similarly priced high-performance coupes like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Audi TT RS. But it's much more of a thriller than either of those two and is even more compromised. Unlike its lightweight predecessor, it's powered by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6, so performance has taken a big leap forward.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With a more aggressive look and upgraded suspension, it looks and feels like a compact version of a proper supercar – and it's astonishing to drive, with brilliant handling and straight line performance. It still feels like a low-volume hand-built machine, though, which is the major downside, but it's certainly fun.

Lotus Exige Sport 380 2017 review

It's focused and engaging nature makes the standard six-speed manual gearbox the one to stick with, but recently Lotus has made the lightweight sportscar available with a new automatic gearbox for a £2,000 premium. The Exige also available as roadster, too. 

The Exige range has changed a fair bit over the years, but now starts with the 345bhp Sport 350, before moving up to the 410bhp Sport 410, and topping out with the track-focused 430bhp Cup 430. Previous models include the Sport 380 and Sport 430. All models make their power from a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Lotus Exige is, without question, one of the best sports cars on sale today where outright handling is concerned. The unassisted steering and lightweight body makes it one of the most engaging cars to drive, while the raucous V6 engine provides ample shove. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

With the Sport 350 – which replaces the Exige S – Lotus has also made the Exige lighter and faster. The new shortened gear throw and exposed gear linkage now feels as great as it looks, allowing you to really get the best out of the 3.5-litre supercharged V6. Lotus offers two other models of Exige: the extreme Cup 430, and the Exige Sport 410, which sits between this and the 'standard' Sport 350.

The Exige is not without issues, though, requiring sacrifices and commitment. It's expensive, lacks interior refinement, offers little in the way of luggage space and is rather difficult to get in and out of. 

Engines, performance and drive

Precision handling and explosive acceleration makes the Exige one of the best around

This is where the Exige really excels. It's a car that tells you exactly what's going on at the front wheels, and together with the widened track and longer wheelbase, it's more grippy yet more stable than the Elise on which it's based. Incredibly, Lotus' engineers have also managed to make it ride comfortably too. One neat feature is the traction control system available on Race Pack versions which is so clever that even a professional driver is quicker around a racing circuit with it switched on than when off.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

On the downside, steering is heavy at parking speeds, while the engine is ever-present, especially at a high-speed cruise when all the wind and road noise combine to make the stereo pointless... Ear plugs are a must for long journeys.The optional automatic gearbox is best avoided, with slow and clunky changes. It saps away the momentum you can easily gather in the car.

Engines

The supercharged 345bhp 3.5-litre V6 of the Sport 350 offers searing acceleration, thrusting the now 1,125kg sportscar – the Sport 350 version is 51kg lighter than the old Exige S – from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds and on to a 170mph top speed. It doesn't sound as tuneful as a Cayman's flat-six, but it certainly delivers with lots of low-rev punch and high-rev urge.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Stepping up to the Sport 380 adds an extra dose of performance, with and additional 30bhp and even less weight. It gets from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds - two tenths quicker than the Sport 350. But we don't think its worth forking out the extra £11,000 Lotus asked for it when this model was offered.

The Exige Sport 410 of 2018 is more convincing, however. Sitting on a retuned version of the track-focused Cup 430, the Sport 410 takes just 3.3 seconds to go from 0-62mph, and tops out at 180mph. It also features adjustable springs and dampers, and offers one of the purest driving experiences available today.

The range-topping 430 is, Lotus says, the "most extreme Exige ever conceived". With a near six-figure starting price, 430bhp and aerodynamics that help it generate up to 220kg of downforce at high speed, that seems a fairly convincing statement.

 

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Big, thirsty engine and high insurance groups means the Lotus won't be cheap to run

The Lotus Exige S doesn't weigh very much, so when you're cruising you'll probably manage more than 30mpg from the big V6. Use that performance, though, and you'll be filling up the relatively tiny 43-litre tank on a regular basis. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition revealed

Lotus expects most Exige S owners to take their cars onto a racing circuit too, an environment in which it's quite easy to go through tyres and brakes – and they aren't cheap to replace. Add in service intervals of just 9,000 miles, and it becomes clear that running an Exige S is an expensive venture.

Depreciation

Happily, the Exige has quite strong residual values. After three years you can expect the Lotus to retain around 59 per cent of its value.

Insurance groups

Because of the performance and cost, the Exige attracts high insurance groups of between 46 and 50. 

 

Interior, design and technology

Boisterous exterior and stripped back cabin makes the Exige a true road racer

Take an Elise, add a longer wheelbase, wider track, new rear subframe, pumped-up bodykit with vast aerodynamic additions and larger wheels and you've got the Lotus Exige. It looks very aggressive and stands out far more than a Porsche Cayman on the road.

In fact, it looks so dramatic, we wouldn't be surprised if it turned as many heads as an Italian supercar costing three times the price. Inside, the cabin is stripped out and almost identical to that of the Elise, with a lot of switchgear borrowed from mainstream manufacturers, thin racing seats and exposed aluminium. However, as the Exige's price has crept up over time, it feels like you're getting a pretty basic cabin for the money.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The cabin does away with modern-day luxuries such as electric seats, adjustable steering column and touchscreen infotainment system but Lotus do offer a Convenience pack which adds a cup-holder added sound deadening. Air conditioning is also available as an optional extra. 

Practicality, comfort and boot space

With just two seats, and a tiny 98-litre boot in the rear, the Exige is about as impractical as cars get. The problems start when you try to get in: the wide sill and low roof make trying to slide elegantly into the driving seat very difficult indeed. Once inside, you'll find there's not much adjustment for the driver's seat – it doesn't slide back and forth very far – and the steering wheel is also fixed. Similarly priced rivals like the Porsche Cayman are much better in every respect.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

The Exige a strict two-seater but the cabin is spacious enough so you won't be rubbing elbows. Just don't expect to be too comfortable ad the seats are quite firm. 

Boot

As the Exige is mid-engined there's only a tiny 98-litre boot under the bonnet. 

Reliability and Safety

Yes, the Exige S has a driver and passenger airbag and ABS with stability control, but that's about it for safety aids. It's based on the Elise, and despite the higher price tag, you don't get more safety kit for your money. Lotus has never had the best reputation for reliability either, with numerous gremlins creeping in after a few months of ownership. Still, most people don't buy a Lotus to drive on a daily basis.

Warranty 

All Lotus' come with a three-year unliited mileage warranty. 

Servicing 

The Exige needs to be serviced every 9,000 miles. So, depending on useage running costs creep up. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Exige

Lotus Elise and Exige start long goodbye with Final Edition variants
Lotus Exige Final Editions - front
News
8 Feb 2021

Lotus Elise and Exige start long goodbye with Final Edition variants

Lotus will soon axe the Elise and Exige – but not before launching a collection of final edition models to celebrate their production runs
New Lotus Exige 20th Anniversary special edition launched
News
23 Jun 2020

New Lotus Exige 20th Anniversary special edition launched

New Lotus Exige 20th Anniversary is offered in Exige Series 1 colours and gets boosted standard specification
New Lotus Exige Sport 410 review
Lotus Exige Sport 410 - front
Road tests
15 May 2018

New Lotus Exige Sport 410 review

The new Lotus Exige Sport 410 sits between the Sport 350 and Cup 430, but what's it like on the road?
Lotus Exige range expands again, say hello to the Sport 410
Lotus Exige Sport 410 - front
News
4 May 2018

Lotus Exige range expands again, say hello to the Sport 410

Lotus is bridging the slim gap between the 350 and the Cup 430 with the Lotus Exige Sport 410
Limited edition Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 revealed
News
6 Apr 2018

Limited edition Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 revealed

The Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 adds unique design tweaks and a new livery inspired by the brand's Type 25 Formula 1 car
Lotus Exige Cup 430 launched as 'most extreme Exige ever'
Lotus Exige Cup 430 front
News
9 Nov 2017

Lotus Exige Cup 430 launched as 'most extreme Exige ever'

Costing £99,800, the 1,056kg Lotus Exige Cup 430 is the Norfolk marque's track-day swansong with 430bhp
Lotus Exige Cup 380 revealed with extra downforce
Lotus Exige Cup 380 - front
News
21 Apr 2017

Lotus Exige Cup 380 revealed with extra downforce

New track honed Exige gets 375bhp and up to 200kg of downforce thanks to new bodywork tweaks
Lotus Exige Sport 380 2017 review
Lotus Exige Sport 380 - front tracking
Road tests
29 Nov 2016

Lotus Exige Sport 380 2017 review

Stripped-out Lotus Exige Sport 380 road racer is thrilling to drive, but it comes at a cost
Lotus Exige Sport 380 revealed with 375bhp
News
24 Nov 2016

Lotus Exige Sport 380 revealed with 375bhp

New lighter and more powerful 380 version of Lotus Exige sports car revealed, and it'll sprint from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds
New Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition revealed
Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition - front quarter
News
4 Oct 2016

New Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition revealed

Lotus claims that its latest limited-run model, the Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition, is saving "the hardest until last"
New Lotus Exige Sport 350 review
Lotus Exige Sport 350 - front
Road tests
14 Dec 2015

New Lotus Exige Sport 350 review

New flagship version of Exige sports car maintains brilliant driving experience
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lighter and faster Lotus Exige Sport 350 revealed
News
9 Dec 2015

Lighter and faster Lotus Exige Sport 350 revealed

Updated model is 51kg lighter than the Exige S and retains the 345bhp supercharged V6 engine
Limited edition Lotus Exige 360 Cup gets performance tweaks
News
14 Aug 2015

Limited edition Lotus Exige 360 Cup gets performance tweaks

New lightweight panels and a power boost mean this V6 Lotus Exige 360 Cup is faster than ever - but it costs £62,995
New Lotus Exige automatic 2015 review
Road tests
6 Feb 2015

New Lotus Exige automatic 2015 review

Paddle shift box aims to boost sports car’s appeal
Lotus Exige S automatic on sale now
Lotus Exige S
News
29 Jan 2015

Lotus Exige S automatic on sale now

Lotus's hardcore sports coupe is now available to order with a six-speed paddleshift automatic for a £2,000 premium
Limited-edition Lotus Exige LF1 launched
News
9 Jun 2014

Limited-edition Lotus Exige LF1 launched

Lotus reveals special-edition LF1 based on the Exige S and inspired by the brand’s Formula One heritage
8. Lotus Exige
Lotus Exige S Roadster driving
Best cars & vans
9 Jun 2014

8. Lotus Exige

Lotus Exige S Roadster review
Lotus Exige S Roadster driving
Road tests
8 Jul 2013

Lotus Exige S Roadster review

The Lotus Exige S Roadster is the firm's ultimate sports car, but is it a match for the Porsche Boxster?
Lotus Exige S
Lotus Exige S front tracking
Road tests
25 Apr 2012

Lotus Exige S

We get behind the wheel of the new 345bhp supercharged Lotus Exige S
Lotus Exige S RGB
Lotus Exige S RGB
Road tests
12 Nov 2010

Lotus Exige S RGB

Special gives extreme Brit supercar final flourish
Lotus Exige S Performance Pack
Lotus Exige S Performance Pack
Road tests
14 Nov 2007

Lotus Exige S Performance Pack

Lotus makes its Exige S faster yet, with the addition of a Performance Pack. we try it out.
Lotus Exige
Lotus Exige
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Lotus Exige

Any version guarantees an intense, racecar-like driving experience in a way no other road car can. That's what makes it so brilliant.
Lotus Exige 265E
Road tests
13 Dec 2006

Lotus Exige 265E

This is Lotus’s Exige 265E, an eco-rocket that runs on anything from pure ethyl alcohol – bioethanol – to conventional petrol