Overview & Reviews

While two-seat sports cars have become more comfortable, more reliable and safer in recent decades, they have also become rather portly. If you wanted both performance and light weight in one machine, you had to give up that new-car smell and start shopping the classifieds. But all that ended with the introduction of the Lotus Elise roadster to the U.S. market in 2005. It's actually been on sale overseas since '96, but European demand for the vehicle along with stringent U.S. crash standards kept it from crossing the pond until more recently.

Meeting U.S. crash standards required the addition of airbags and other safety features that add weight. But Lotus knew that even sports car fans in this country would have trouble giving up comfort for the sake of extreme performance, so the U.S. Lotus Elise comes standard with air-conditioning, antilock brakes and a CD audio system. But don't look for stability control or power steering on this sports car. Lotus was willing to bend, but not break its "simplificate, then add lightness" rule for American tastes by keeping the U.S. Elise's curb weight under 2,000 pounds. That made it easily the lightest performance car sold in this country.

With so little weight to push around, power requirements are minimal. Most Lotus Elises feature a Toyota-sourced (and Yamaha-built) 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. It's the same high-revving mill that's been used in Toyotas such as the Celica GT-S and Corolla XRS, but in this case it's been tuned by Lotus to broaden the power band and bump horsepower to 190. That's more than enough power to slingshot the Elise to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. For 2008, a supercharged version debuted, with output bumped up to 218 hp that reduced the 0-60 sprint to a mid-4-second exercise.

There's no doubt the Lotus Elise is a special car -- for the money, you simply won't find a more thrilling driving experience. Just be aware that it's also a no-frills, racetrack-oriented machine. Those desiring an exciting roadster that can provide more day-to-day functionality will want to order the Elise's optional Touring package or check out other more comfortable-riding European rivals. On the other hand, if you want even more excitement, consider the Sport package option or the track-ready Exige.

Current Lotus Elise
The Lotus Elise is a two-seat midengine roadster available in base and SC trim. The interior is understandably spartan, and the standard air-conditioning can be deleted to save even more weight. A few options packages, such as the Touring and Sport packages, offer a bit of customization. To maximize protection, a hardtop roof is available as a stand-alone option.

Power for the Lotus Elise comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Toyota-sourced engine benefits from Lotus-designed intake and exhaust components and a tweaked engine controller. The result is a broader power band and an increase in output to 190 hp at 7,800 rpm and 133 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. Should the standard Elise be inadequate, there's always the supercharged Elise SC, boasting a 220-hp version of the standard Elise's engine.

As far as safety equipment, don't expect much more than federally mandated items -- antilock brakes are included and traction control is optional, but neither stability control nor side airbags are offered.

Interior accommodations are pure sports car: Lightly padded composite sport seats provide plenty of support and controls are simple enough to keep your attention on the road. The wide door sills and low steering wheel require some fancy body motions and footwork when entering or exiting the vehicle, however. Naturally, the Elise's cockpit emphasizes driving above all else and there are minimal comfort and storage features for longer road trips.

The non-power steering feels as natural as anything we've ever driven and the 1.8-liter engine is indeed tuned to be very responsive, with plenty of torque. Braking is handled by AP Racing and Brembo calipers with 11.5-inch rotors all around. It all adds up to a car that feels as race-oriented, unfiltered and capable as an Italian exotic, at roughly a quarter of the cost.

Used Lotus Elise Models
Lotus introduced the Americanized "111R" version of the Elise in 2005, enabled by a three-year NHTSA exemption as the car had failed to meet U.S. bumper regulations. Changes for 2006 included the option of traction control and a limited-slip differential, lightweight forged alloy wheels and a matte black appearance package. Daytime running lights were made standard, along with LED taillights with integrated reflectors. Inside, the seat padding was upgraded for increased comfort and a new, lighter pedal set was installed to save a few more precious pounds.

For 2007, a set of so-called "bumperettes" were added to the tail to satisfy U.S. bumper regulations. The supercharged Elise SC debuted for 2008. That year also saw a new instrument display with a trip computer, while a value-minded performance package debuted two years later. For the 2011 model year, the Elise received some minor styling updates as well as a few feature availability changes. A Roger Becker special edition Elise also debuted, honoring the recently retired head of Lotus vehicle engineering.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 104.00

• 

  GOOD CAR - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By zleduc - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This is a really reliable car! Fun to drive and makes everyone go wild.

• 

  Sling shot - 2008 Lotus Elise
  By perfectpant - October 17 - 5:06 pm

  Look, if you want the best handling car on Earth today, buy it. If you want the best fun on road buy it, if you want a family car skip it. If you do not want driving enjoyment skip it. After owning 30 cars, trucks, sport cars, the Lotus is the best sport car ever build. Consider performance, price, economy, driving. Im 62" 184 lbs and has no problem to get in and out. Most Ferraries the same. I also have the F 430. The Lotus I can drive every day, but not the F 430.

• 

  The most amazing car Ive ever owned - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Paul - October 11 - 3:20 pm

  This car is absolutely amazing. It handles like no other street legal car you can buy. I looked at Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari and others. Handling-wise it blew them all away hands down. In a straight line there are faster cars but nothing handles and connects you to the road like the Elise. Its a true drivers car. This was not intended or designed to be an everyday grocery hauler. If thats what youre looking for, buy something else. But if you want the real "Ultimate Driving Machine" then the Elise is it.

• 

  Cool car - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By discool - July 12 - 10:00 am

  It is a very cool car. It is cheap and is very fast. I suggest everyone to buy it.

• 

  If You Want to be Different - 2008 Lotus Elise
  By csrvices - June 14 - 6:03 pm

  If you do not fit in the same common human mold like most folks do, then you may want a different kind of car... consider a Lotus Elise if you want to be truly in touch with the road while plying the power and handling of your vehicle to it. The Lotus Elise built like no other vehicle I know of for the consumer market. Lotus has taken years of specialized racing builds turning their experience into a well built, well tuned, well heeled and well, a good-looking automobile that can turn heads and flat dust the next Guy. It is a race car built for the street, Lotus has produced a competent vehicle, a workhorse that wants to run hard as a different kind of daily driver.

• 

  A real race car for the road - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By Brandon - May 13 - 5:00 am

  Probably the most fun car Ive ever driven and owned. Holds to road like super glue and tar combined. Steering is quick and light and you can move with the flick of a finger. Hard top is easy to remove and very light since the car only weighs about 1900 pounds which is less than a Mazda Miata. Soft top can be removed in a matter of seconds and rolled up to fit in the trunk. Theres enough room in the trunk for enough stuff for a weekend trip if you go alone. Its tough to get in and out of this car, unless you take the top off and jump in. Interior is simple and basic and comes without all the non-sense some cars bring. Overall a great value and the most fun I have ever had in a car.

• 

  Best Attention Getter - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By Ryan - January 2 - 5:00 pm

  If you choose to buy a lotus Elise you are also making a commitment to people wanting to know what it is. I have seen more Ferraries and Lamborghinis than lotuses. That truly makes this an exotic car. It sounds like a formula one car under an over pass! This truly is the best bang for your buck you can get. Touring and sport packs are great! Worth the money.

• 

  Finally a car to replace the Acura NSX - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By ACURAMAN - December 16 - 6:16 pm

  The Lotus Elise is the most pure sports car experience on the road today. I have never driven a car that is more responsive to the touch than this one. It is as though this car is an extension of your mind and body. It is a blast to drive at high speeds through twisting, turning roads, passing muscle cars with 500 hsp plus motors that simply cannot hold the road. My last toy was an Acura NSX and after test driving Corvettes, Porsche 911s and BMWs I thought I would never find a car that would touch the NSX. Just as I was losing total faith in finding a replacement for the aging NSX it was announced that the Elise was finally coming to Canada! In the true Campbell tradition less is more!

• 

  A big go kart for the street - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By rob - November 15 - 10:23 pm

  This car is all about the handling. It has the most direct steering response car Ive ever driven. The interior is spartan, but has everything I want, good track seats, radio, AC/heat, and a fun 6-speed transmission. It accelerates very well, but at freeway speeds cars with 350+ hp will finally get their edge. The handling, acceleration and braking are all helped thanks to the cars lightweight design, 1984 lbs.

• 

  Lotus Elise - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Les Albin - November 15 - 5:10 pm

  The Elise has been absolutely reliable in all types of driving. It has looks and performance that compare favorably to the most exotic cars around, but at a fraction of the cost to purchase and operate. Handling and responsiveness are better than any other car regardless of price. On the track or on the street the Elise gets more smiles per gallon than anything else around.