Lotus Exige (04 on) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 20 March 2009
The Exige is the perfect car for the track-day racer or sports car enthusiast. It offers a potent mix of pace and excitement that few other cars - at any price - can match. Current models offer up to 260bhp and a 0-62mph time as low as 4.1 seconds - quick enough to rival supercars that cost five times as much. Much of this is down to its lightweight body which means it's lightning quick off the line and superbly responsive, even at higher speeds. Then there's the sublime handling, precise steering and excellent body control. It's not a car you can live with every day as it's difficult to drive around town, noisy and has little interior space. But as an undiluted sports car, it's difficult to beat.
5 out of 5

Other Lotus reviews

5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£37,335 - £55,320

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Used price range:

£10,086 - £42,130

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Next steps

Storming pace, wonderful styling, pin-sharp handling, Exige Cup 260 is ultimate Lotus

Difficult to live with every day, lacks refinement, stiff ride, sparse cabin

The Exige is the perfect car for the track-day racer or sports car enthusiast. It offers a potent mix of pace and excitement that few other cars - at any price - can match. Current models offer up to 260bhp and a 0-62mph time as low as 4.1 seconds - quick enough to rival supercars that cost five times as much. Much of this is down to its lightweight body which means it's lightning quick off the line and superbly responsive, even at higher speeds. Then there's the sublime handling, precise steering and excellent body control. It's not a car you can live with every day as it's difficult to drive around town, noisy and has little interior space. But as an undiluted sports car, it's difficult to beat.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    5 out of 5

    "The Exige uses the same 1.8-litre VVTi engine that you'll find in some Toyota Celicas. Standard..."

  • Handling

    5 out of 5

    "The Exige is - unsurprisingly - an outstanding car to drive quickly and a prime example of what..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    2 out of 5

    "Once you're inside the Exige, it's not as uncomfortable as you might expect. However, getting inside..."

  • Practicality

    1 out of 5

    "The Exige is ideal as a second (or even third 'weekend') car as it's simply too hardcore to use..."

  • Equipment

    2.5 out of 5

    "Every Exige has cloth 'ProBax' seats in black, remote central locking, aluminium control knobs,..."

  • Behind the wheel

    2.5 out of 5

    "It's a back-to-basics look inside the Exige, with an exposed aluminium frame and few creature..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    3 out of 5

    "The Exige isn't as expensive to run as you may imagine. A steady demand and limited production keeps..."

  • Green credentials

    2 out of 5

    "Considering the performance and pace the Exige offers, emissions are pretty reasonable at 216g/km of..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    2.5 out of 5

    "There's no Euro NCAP crash-test rating and the stripped-out Exige isn't offered with a lot of safety..."

  • Reliability

    4 out of 5

    "The Exige was recalled in 2005 (along with Elise) as it was found that the gearlever could break if..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    2 out of 5

    "It's not cheap to spec-up an Exige, so unless budget is no barrier, choose your options wisely."

  • Buying used

    3 out of 5

    "The previous generation Exige was powered by a 1.8-litre Rover-sourced K-Series. This one has a..."

  • Selling

    5 out of 5

    "There's a strong market for used Exiges. You may need to advertise through the specialist press or..."

Gallery

  • Interior Lotus Exige (04 on)
  • Exterior Lotus Exige (04 on)
  • Exterior Lotus Exige (04 on)
  • Exterior Lotus Exige (04 on)

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Owners' reviews