Lotus cars: MPG and fuel economy by model
The EPA has rated 70 vehicles from Lotus across 10 distinct models since 1984. The list below covers every Lotus model with its combined MPG and estimated annual fuel cost, organised by model year so you can see how the lineup has evolved.
Below you will find every Lotus model in the EPA dataset, split into a recent table for the last five model years and a longer table for the rest. Click any model and year to see the full breakdown, including city and highway MPG, tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and the engine and drivetrain specification.
Lotus fuel economy snapshot
Across every Lotus the EPA has ever rated, the most efficient is the 1992 Lotus Elan at 24 combined MPG. That figure includes electric vehicles, which use MPGe rather than a true gallon of fuel.
For the 2026 model year, Lotus's lineup averages 21 combined MPG across 10 models. The lineup is currently all gasoline-powered.
Recent Lotus models
Recent Lotus models from the 2022 model year onward, sorted by year and model. Trims appear separately when the EPA rates them as distinct vehicles (for example, when an all-wheel-drive variant has its own MPG figures).
| Year | Model | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Emira | 21 MPG | $2,850 |
| 2025 | Emira | 21 MPG | $2,850 |
| 2024 | Emira | 21 MPG | $2,850 |
Older Lotus models
Older Lotus models, going back to 1984. The EPA's testing methodology has changed several times over the decades, so direct comparison between a 1980s rating and a modern one is not always meaningful. Use these figures to track the trend within a model rather than across eras.
| Year | Model | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Evora GT | 20 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2020 | Evora | 20 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2020 | Evora GT | 20 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2018 | Evora | 20 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2017 | Evora | 20 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2014 | Evora | 22 MPG | $3,150 |
| 2013 | Evora | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2012 | Evora | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2011 | Elise/Exige | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2011 | Evora | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2010 | Elise/Exige | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2010 | Evora | 21 MPG | $3,300 |
| 2009 | Elise/Exige | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 2008 | Elise/Exige | 23 MPG | $2,600 |
| 2007 | Elise/Exige | 23 MPG | $2,600 |
| 2006 | Elise/Exige | 22 MPG | $3,150 |
| 2005 | Elise/exige | 22 MPG | $3,150 |
| 2004 | Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 2003 | Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 2002 | Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 2001 | Esprit V8 | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 2000 | Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 1999 | Esprit V8 | 15 MPG | $4,600 |
| 1998 | 98 Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 1997 | Esprit V8 | 16 MPG | $4,300 |
| 1995 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1994 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1993 | Elan | 23 MPG | $3,000 |
| 1993 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1992 | Elan | 24 MPG | $2,900 |
| 1992 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1991 | Elan | 24 MPG | $2,900 |
| 1991 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1990 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1989 | Esprit Turbo | 19 MPG | $3,650 |
| 1988 | Esprit Turbo | 18 MPG | $3,850 |
| 1987 | Esprit Turbo HC PI | 19 MPG | $3,150 |
| 1985 | Esprit Turbo | 14 MPG | $4,300 |
| 1984 | Esprit | 14 MPG | $4,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year.