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 1 through 10 of 104.00

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Nothing else compares in the price range - 2007 Lotus Elise
  By fishman76092 - July 15 - 4:31 pm

  Ive had mine for about two years. No issues thus far. Hear some build quality complaints on forums- its hit and miss. Its a hand built car that costs $25-40k. The good: Closest thing to a race car for the price, Toyota engine/transmission, so much fun to drive above 5500 rpms. The bad: Getting in and out with top on, people looking at you- wanting to take photos, etc, not many creature comforts. Long story short: If you want a smooth ride, a great stereo, isolation from the road, and a long trip cruiser...buy something else. If you want to enjoy every mile, drive a roller coaster, rip through the gears, wind it up to 9k, turn the stereo off and listen to the engine, buy an Elise.

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  Perfect Sports Car - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By jkbrill - April 6 - 11:46 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. This vehicle makes everything else I have driven seem like a RV. The car handles, brakes, and looks like a sports car should. The ride is surprisingly good; however the Elise is not a daily driver. However, it is an amazingly fun toy, that is well constructed for a handmade vehicle. It is also pretty zippy, and loves high rpms.

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  lotus - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By alexfox - May 28 - 10:00 am

  nice car. love to drive it.

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  Very fun car with some drawbacks - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By Ian - August 27 - 11:40 pm

  This car was built for the track. If you buy this car expecting anything more than a driving machine, you are looking at it for the wrong reason. The combination of aluminum and fiberglass that make up the Elise provide a very high power to weight ratio, even with the very small 1.8L Toyota engine. After pushing the car past 6200 rpm you feel a boost in power as the car switches to the second cam. As you redline in second at 8500 rpm, the shift into third pushes your head back into the seat. At this point you realize that youre on the freeway inching toward 100 and need to slow down. What a killjoy. Amazing handling and road hugging tires make freeway on ramps the best part of your day.

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  get one before its too late! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By wade lee - July 22 - 10:00 am

  its hard to overcome paying $6000 over msrp to drive one off the lot right now, but i did. and no regret, its worth it, the fun factor, the attention and the sense of haha, look at me i have one while you still waiting.

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  Lotus Value - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Frank C. Robles - June 15 - 4:16 pm

  Great performance. Very difficult to get in and out.

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  Almost Perfect - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By ALLAMAN - October 23 - 3:23 am

  Do not buy this car if you are looking for comfort. The Elise is a purpose built machine. The purpose is sublime handling, which is evident on any backroad or cloverleaf. This handling could not have been achieved if the car were packed with (heavy) luxury features. The seats have no padding and getting in/out of the car requires advanced yoga training. You should only buy an Elise when performance is the ONLY thing that is important to you. I love my Elise.