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

2.5 out of 5

Safety

There's no Euro NCAP crash-test rating and the stripped-out Exige isn't offered with a lot of safety kit. Originally dual airbags could be fitted, but only as an expensive option and curtain bags are not available. Later cars come with twin airbags as standard and unlike previous Lotus', it does come with ABS. Security is taken care of with a remote central locking, an alarm an immobiliser. We'd advise fitting a tracking system, too.

NCAP Test

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4 out of 5

Reliability

The Exige was recalled in 2005 (along with Elise) as it was found that the gearlever could break if subjected to heavy use. But aside from that Lotus does a pretty good job of screwing its cars together - all are hand built at its factory in Norfolk.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

Recall in 2005 for possible broken gearshift lever.