Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lotus Elise review

Lightweight Lotus Elise sports car priorities handling and performance above all else

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
  • Performance
  • Handling
  • Running costs
  • Practicality
  • Comfort
  • Refinement
Find your Lotus Elise
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Elise range has traditionally been populated by a host of different versions and special editions, but for now, with Lotus looking to announce an all-new model later in 2020, there is a streamlined offering of either the Sport 220 or Cup 250 - the latter possibly better suited to those who value extra downforce and on-track precision over everyday driving.

Both the supercharged, chargecooled Sport 220 and Cup 250 come fitted with a Toyota-sourced 1.8-litre engine as standard. It's not the most refined, powerful or sonorous engine fitted to a sports car, but with well under a tonne to haul around you're never short on performance or excitement. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Lotus Elise was first introduced in 1996 and has come to represent everything that Lotus cars stand for. It's lightweight, stripped-out, agile and communicative, making it one of the finest handling cars on the road. All that performance and pin-sharp handling comes at the expense of practicality, comfort and refinement, though.

As an all-rounder we'd suggest the Elise Sport 220 is the one to go for, but if you’re a competitive soul and like flexing your muscles on track, then the Cup version could well tempt you.

Engines, performance and drive

The Lotus Elise remains one of the very best driver's cars around

The Lotus Elise is available with a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine in two states of tune. The Sport 220 offers 217bhp, while the Cup 250 makes a stronger case for itself with 243bhp. Both have identical torque figures at 184lb ft, but the Cup 250 develops its pulling power lower down the rev range. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 4.6 seconds and 4.3 seconds respectively, with the pair moving on to ample top speeds of 145mph and 150mph via the six-speed manual transmission. The Elise is also one of the few cars on the road with no power steering, which results in a fantastic accuracy and amount of feel through the wheel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The lack of electronic interference means you become immersed in the driving experience and you feel everything the car is doing on the road. Add in its miniature proportions and the Elise is unquestionably one of the most precise and agile sports cars around. There's also huge levels of grip which gives you plenty of confidence if you decide to take it to the track. The Cup 250, in particular, is much more focused than its predecessor, weighing-in 14kg lighter. It also benefits from a comprehensive aero package, allowing the car to generate 148kg of downforce at 149mph - making for greater high-speed stability and keener turn-in.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Ride quality is pretty good for such a focused car and even the race-orientated Cup model delivers a surprising level of comfort. Hethel engineers have worked on the overall aural appeal of the Elise with a new exhaust system fitted as standard, but wind and road noise remain a big problem, so longer journeys can become a little uncomfortable.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Light bodywork and a relatively small engine mean running costs are low for a car of this type

Go for the standard Elise and the relatively small engine and lightweight body mean fuel economy is a credible 36.7mpg. The more extreme Cup 250 is equally as surprising, with supercar performance but a fuel-sipping 36.2mpg figure. CO2 emissions aren't bad either, at just 174g/km and 177g/km. A warranty covers the car for three years and unlimited mileage while the chassis is covered for eight years in total. That should help keep running costs down too.

Interior, design and technology

It's getting on a bit but the Elise still looks and feels great

The Elise is low, compact and stylish. Its image and design have been subtly updated over the years, and it now features LED daytime running lights in the headlamp clusters, redesigned rear lights and a new front clam panel to freshen things up.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Opt for the Elise Cup 250 and the exterior receives a racecar makeover. A huge rear wing, side skirts, rear diffuser and front splitter are all included, while further use of carbon fibre, titanium and aluminium help reduce mass. The 148kg of downforce created by the aero package amounts to a 14% increase in the car’s weight at high speed. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The best performance cars to buy now

On every model the interior is as Spartan as you might expect from such a lightweight car but it is pleasing to the eye. Build quality could do with being slightly better, though. The Sport 220 brings fabric sports seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and 16-inch front/17-inch rear cast alloy wheels, while the Cup 250 adds Alcantara interior trim, carbon-fibre sports seats and lightweight forged alloy wheels. The optional equipment list is vast, with air conditioning, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, enhanced sound insulation and metallic paint all costing extra.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

Look elsewhere if you need space for passengers and luggage

The Elise is an absolutely tiny car so practicality is very poor, in fact the only load area is just 112 litres. The cabin itself is also a tight squeeze, not to mention difficult to access in the first place. The car sits so low to the ground and the door sills are so wide that it'll take a few practice entries and exits before you look like a natural.

Reliability and Safety

Lotus isn't famed for reliability but the Elise should be an exception; safety remains untested

It's fair to say that Lotus doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, but the Elise has always been very trouble free. The car is made from mostly plastic and aluminium so there has never been any problems with rust. In its more recent forms, the Elise is safer than ever with traction control and ABS fitted as standard. It hasn't been tested by Euro NCAP though, so there's no official word on how safe it really is.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,836 off RRP*Compare Offers
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £36,645Avg. savings £2,892 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £27,565Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Compare Offers
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,710Avg. savings £2,338 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Elise

Best future classics 2024/2025: car investments that could make you money
Future classics - header image

Best future classics 2024/2025: car investments that could make you money

Identifying future classic cars is a tricky but potentially lucrative business, here are our future classic recommendations
Best cars & vans
25 Nov 2024
Lotus Elise and Exige start long goodbye with Final Edition variants
Lotus Exige Final Editions - front

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
News
8 Feb 2021
Used Lotus Elise review

Used Lotus Elise review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Lotus Elise covering the S2 and S3 (2000-present)
Used car tests
14 Jul 2020
New limited run Lotus Elise Heritage Editions arrive for summer 2020

New limited run Lotus Elise Heritage Editions arrive for summer 2020

Four new limited edition versions of the Lotus Elise have been revealed, each an homage to the company’s motorsport heritage
News
6 May 2020
Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

The Elise proves Britain still makes great low-volume sports cars. A great driving quality, with comfort and refinement, makes it fantastic.
In-depth reviews
11 Dec 2019
Lotus Elise Cup 260 track monster limited to 30 examples
Lotus Elise Cup 260

Lotus Elise Cup 260 track monster limited to 30 examples

As part of Lotus' 70th anniversary, the ultra-exclusive Elise Cup 260 is race-bred for the track
News
20 Oct 2017
New, lighter Lotus Elise Cup 250 revealed

New, lighter Lotus Elise Cup 250 revealed

Hottest Cup 250 version of the Lotus Elise gets new weight saving tweaks and aerodynamics for 2017
News
1 Jun 2017
New Lotus Elise arrives with lightweight 'Sprint' edition
lotus elise sprint 220 front quarter

New Lotus Elise arrives with lightweight 'Sprint' edition

Lotus Elise updated for 2017 with a revised look and a new lightweight model reviving the Sprint nameplate
News
17 Mar 2017
Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition is even lighter and faster
Lotus Elise 250 Special front side

Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition is even lighter and faster

Just 50 units of the Elise 250 will be made, costing £47,900 and weighing in at 899kg
News
26 Aug 2016
Lotus Elise Cup 250 2016 review
Lotus Elise Cup 250 - front cornering

Lotus Elise Cup 250 2016 review

Lotus Elise Cup 250 is the fastest-ever production Elise and it's thrilling to drive – but very expensive
Road tests
28 Apr 2016
New Lotus Elise Cup 250 is the fastest road-going Elise ever
Lotus Elise Cup 250 front

New Lotus Elise Cup 250 is the fastest road-going Elise ever

Lotus unveils hardcore, limited-run Elise Cup 250 with 257bhp per tonne and 3.9-second 0-62mph time
News
16 Feb 2016
Skip advert
Advertisement
New 2019 Lotus Elise to be 'more usable' day-to-day
Lotus Elise Sport

New 2019 Lotus Elise to be 'more usable' day-to-day

CEO Jean-Marc Gales told Auto Express about his plans to 'modernise' the lightweight sports car
News
6 Jan 2016
New Lotus Elise Sport and Sport 220 bring price & weight cut
Lotus Elise Sport

New Lotus Elise Sport and Sport 220 bring price & weight cut

Lotus brings back ‘Sport’ badge to Elise range for 2016, with new lightweight parts and a reduced price
News
16 Nov 2015
Lotus Elise S Cup review

Lotus Elise S Cup review

Hardcore supercharged Lotus Elise reminds us what a great little car the Norfolk firm has built
Road tests
9 Jan 2015
Lotus Elise 1.8 (220) S, 67.8%
Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise 1.8 (220) S, 67.8%

Who’d have thought one of the oldest models on sale would have the best residual value figure on the new car market?
Car group tests
25 Sep 2013
Lotus Elise club racer’s italian job
Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise club racer’s italian job

We gatecrash classic car rally in sizzling stripped-out version of Brit two-seater.
Road tests
21 Apr 2011
Lotus Elise 1.6
Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise 1.6

Updated entry-level Elise get new 1.6-litre engine, and ultra-low emissions, but does it still set the handling benchmark?
Road tests
16 Apr 2010
Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

For pure driving thrills there is little to touch the lightweight Lotus Elise. Whether you’re planning to hit the road or attack a track, the Brit roa…
In-depth reviews
13 Feb 2009
Lotus Eco Elise

Lotus Eco Elise

Efficient two-seater proves sports cars can care for environment.
Road tests
23 Jan 2009
Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise Front

Lotus Elise

Thanks to the addition of a supercharger, Lotus have produced the fastest most powerful Elise yet!
Road tests
16 Jan 2008
Lotus Elise S

Lotus Elise S

We get an early look at the entry-level Lotus Elise S
Road tests
26 Jul 2006
Lotus Elise 111R
Front view of Lotus Elise 111R

Lotus Elise 111R

The little Lotus Elise keeps getting better and better. We find out how 2006's version compares to its predecessors
Road tests
26 Apr 2006
Lotus Elise
Rear view of Lotus Elis

Lotus Elise

Supercar thrills at supermini prices? That's what a surprisingly economical used Lotus Elise promises
Used car tests
28 Sep 2005