fbpx

Independent, impartial advice for car buyers and car owners

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Lotus Emira

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Lotus Emira

(2022 - present)

    Summary


    The Lotus Emira is a two-seater, rear-engined sports that was launched in early 2022, and is the company’s first new model since production of the long-serving Evora, Exige and Elise models ended in 2021. Lotus has also claimed that it will be the final petrol-powered car it will ever build as it shifts towards an electric future.

    Replacing three separate models is a tall order, but Auto Trader comments that the Lotus Emira is “a massive step forward” for Lotus – “preserving the performance and handling we loved” from the Exige and Evora, “but with the luxuries and technology modern drivers demand.”

    In traditional Lotus spirit, the Emira is no slouch. Customers can choose between a 360hp four-cylinder petrol engine which is also found in the Mercedes-AMG A45, or a 400hp supercharged petrol V6 supplied by Toyota. Carbuyer says the latter makes the Emira perform “like a small supercar”.

    “It sounds great and looks sensational too”, Auto Express adds, “and has an interior that’s miles better in design and quality than any of its predecessors.”

    That said, Parkers asserts that the Emira’s closest market rival, the Porsche 718 Cayman, still has the upper hand when it comes to interior quality, and that the Porsche is the more practical choice for day-to-day travel.

    Though, “is it as special as the Lotus?”, Evo asks of the 718 Cayman. “Certainly not to look at and for that sense of occasion. The Emira feels every inch the next-generation sports car Lotus wants and needs it to be.”

    As of July 2023, the Lotus Emira holds an Expert Rating of 71%, based on 14 reviews published by the UK media. That’s a a drop-off of about 5% in recent months, and puts the Emira quite a way behind the Porsche 718 Cayman (currently 86%) and Alpine A110 (87%).

    Emira highlights

    • Supercar looks and performance
    • Class-leading driving dynamics
    • Comfortable and refined interior

    Emira lowlights

    • Former Lotus flagships were more exciting
    • No rear seats and rivals are more practical
    • Question marks around reliability

    Key specifications


    Body style: Two-door coupé
    Engines:
    petrol
    Price:
    From £59,995 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2022
    Last updated: N/A
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


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

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Car

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Evo

    +

    Motoring Research

    +

    Parkers

    +

    RAC

    +

    The Sun

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Safety rating


    No safety rating

    As of July 2023, the Lotus Emira has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    As of July 2023, the Lotus Emira has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    As of July 2023, we don’t yet have enough reliability data on the Lotus Emira to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Emira, we’ll publish the score here.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Lotus Emira has received

    2023

    • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Performance Car

    2022

    • News UK Motor Awards – Best Sports Car

    Similar cars


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

    Alpine A110 | Audi TT | BMW Z4 | Jaguar F-Type | Lotus Elise | Porsche 718 Cayman | Toyota GR Supra

    Buy a Lotus Emira


    If you’re looking to buy a new or used Lotus Emira, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Lease a Lotus Emira


    If you’re looking to lease a new Lotus Emira, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

    Carparison 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

    Subscribe to a Lotus Emira


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Onto logo 600x300

    Electric car subscriptions from Onto.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Motorly logo 600x300

    Used car finance from Motorly.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Reviewers agree that the Emira coupé is a big leap forward for the Lotus brand, with impressive driving dynamics and a high-quality interior.Lotus Emira