Likes
- Phenomenal performance
- Excellent reliability
- Supercar looks for a fraction of the cost
- Totally unique driving experience
Used Lotus Exige S review
2012 - 2021
Dislikes
- Very minimal practicality
- Entry and egress requires genuine flexibility
- Sparse interior
- Infotainment system is basic
Stuff you should know
The Lotus Exige is arguably the most pure sports car money can buy and while the price of admission, may seem high, it is quite a bargain.
Especially when taking into account the Lotus Exige’s immense levels of performance and the theatre that comes with everything from its supercar looks to the driving experience. When compared to the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, it offers an equally unique experience for a fraction of the cost.
It’s important to be aware that many Exige are modified and customised both from the factory and with aftermarket equipment, so while a base model S should differ from a top-spec Cup 430, there is every chance the S may be equipped with many of the Cup 430 features. Each Exige is unique to itself.
However, with minimal practicality, a sparse interior and such a focus on performance, committing to an Exige requires an understanding that one is not purchasing an everyday sports car like a Porsche 911 or Cayman.
The Exige is for those that take their fun very seriously.
What goes wrong
- With a Toyota engine and gearbox, mechanically, the Exige is very sound however servicing and maintenance needs to be up to scratch
- As the Exige is quite lightweight, wear and tear on suspension and brake components and consumables like tyres and clutches is quite minimal compared to other performance-focussed vehicles
- Any major issues may result from how previous owners have treated the Exige
- It’s critical to look for accident damage and repair work that hasn’t been completed correctly
- While the extruded aluminium chassis structure is immensely strong, any major damage must be inspected by an expert
- As the body is made up of large clam-shells, body damage can become very expensive to replace or repair correctly
- With a Toyota engine and gearbox, mechanically, the Exige is very sound however servicing and maintenance needs to be up to scratch
- As the Exige is quite lightweight, wear and tear on suspension and brake components and consumables like tyres and clutches is quite minimal compared to other performance-focussed vehicles
- Any major issues may result from how previous owners have treated the Exige
- It’s critical to look for accident damage and repair work that hasn’t been completed correctly
- While the extruded aluminium chassis structure is immensely strong, any major damage must be inspected by an expert
- As the body is made up of large clam-shells, body damage can become very expensive to replace or repair correctly
- With a Toyota engine and gearbox, mechanically, the Exige is very sound however servicing and maintenance needs to be up to scratch
- As the Exige is quite lightweight, wear and tear on suspension and brake components and consumables like tyres and clutches is quite minimal compared to other performance-focussed vehicles
- Any major issues may result from how previous owners have treated the Exige
- It’s critical to look for accident damage and repair work that hasn’t been completed correctly
- While the extruded aluminium chassis structure is immensely strong, any major damage must be inspected by an expert
- As the body is made up of large clam-shells, body damage can become very expensive to replace or repair correctly
Should you by it?
If you want this level of driver involvement, supercar looks, the incredible community and support surrounding a brand like Lotus and a completely unique motoring experience, yes.
The only other cars that offer anything near what the Exige can deliver are also from Lotus but if you are genuinely considering buying an Exige, find a good one and just do it.
Sure they aren’t all that practical, getting in and out can be a challenge and the interiors aren’t exactly at the forefront of luxury but the Exige, as a tool to bring absolute motoring pleasure, are just truly phenomenal.
If you want this level of driver involvement, supercar looks, the incredible community and support surrounding a brand like Lotus and a completely unique motoring experience, yes.
The only other cars that offer anything near what the Exige can deliver are also from Lotus but if you are genuinely considering buying an Exige, find a good one and just do it.
Sure they aren’t all that practical, getting in and out can be a challenge and the interiors aren’t exactly at the forefront of luxury but the Exige, as a tool to bring absolute motoring pleasure, are just truly phenomenal.
Should you by it?
If you want this level of driver involvement, supercar looks, the incredible community and support surrounding a brand like Lotus and a completely unique motoring experience, yes.
The only other cars that offer anything near what the Exige can deliver are also from Lotus but if you are genuinely considering buying an Exige, find a good one and just do it.
Sure they aren’t all that practical, getting in and out can be a challenge and the interiors aren’t exactly at the forefront of luxury but the Exige, as a tool to bring absolute motoring pleasure, are just truly phenomenal.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
- 2 door Coupe
- 2 door Roadster
Engine Specs
- 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder supercharged petrol, 191kW / 236Nm (Scura 2010)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 257kW / 400Nm (S 2013 – 2015)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 258kW / 400Nm (Sport 350 2016 – 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 280kW / 410Nm (Sport 380 2017 – 2018)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 440Nm (Cup 430 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 305kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 410Nm (Sport 410 2020, 20th Anniversary 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 296kW / 420Nm (Sport 390 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 313kW / 427Nm (Sport 420 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 427Nm (Cup 430 Final Edition 2021)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Scura, S, Sport 350, Sport 380, Cup 430, Sport 410, 20th Anniversary, Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition, Cup 430 Final Edition)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Sport 350, Sport 380)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.5 – 11.9 / 100km (Scura)
- 7.2 – 13.6 / 100km (S)
- 8.0 – 14.4 / 100km (Sport 350)
- 8.3 – 14.1 / 100km (Sport 380)
- 8.5 – 16.8 / 100km (Cup 430)
- 8.1 – 14.9 / 100km (Sport 410, 20th Anniversary)
- 8.3 – 15.2 / 100km (Cup 430 Final Edition)
Length
- 3785mm – 4084mm (2
Body Styles
- 2 door Coupe
- 2 door Roadster
Engine Specs
- 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder supercharged petrol, 191kW / 236Nm (Scura 2010)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 257kW / 400Nm (S 2013 – 2015)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 258kW / 400Nm (Sport 350 2016 – 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 280kW / 410Nm (Sport 380 2017 – 2018)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 440Nm (Cup 430 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 305kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 410Nm (Sport 410 2020, 20th Anniversary 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 296kW / 420Nm (Sport 390 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 313kW / 427Nm (Sport 420 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 427Nm (Cup 430 Final Edition 2021)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Scura, S, Sport 350, Sport 380, Cup 430, Sport 410, 20th Anniversary, Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition, Cup 430 Final Edition)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Sport 350, Sport 380)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.5 – 11.9 / 100km (Scura)
- 7.2 – 13.6 / 100km (S)
- 8.0 – 14.4 / 100km (Sport 350)
- 8.3 – 14.1 / 100km (Sport 380)
- 8.5 – 16.8 / 100km (Cup 430)
- 8.1 – 14.9 / 100km (Sport 410, 20th Anniversary)
- 8.3 – 15.2 / 100km (Cup 430 Final Edition)
Length
- 3785mm – 4084mm (2 door Coupe)
- 3879mm – 4084mm (2 door Roadster)
Width
- 1719mm – 1802mm (2 door Coupe)
- 1799mm – 1802mm (2 door Roadster)
Height
- 1129mm – 1143mm (2 door Coupe)
- 1117mm – 1129mm (2 door Roadster)
Wheelbase
- 2300mm – 2370mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- Unknown kg – 1182kg (2 door Coupe)
- Unknown kg – 1172kg (2 door Roadster)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (All Models)
Body Styles
- 2 door Coupe
- 2 door Roadster
Engine Specs
- 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder supercharged petrol, 191kW / 236Nm (Scura 2010)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 257kW / 400Nm (S 2013 – 2015)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 258kW / 400Nm (Sport 350 2016 – 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 280kW / 410Nm (Sport 380 2017 – 2018)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 440Nm (Cup 430 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 305kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2018 – 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 420Nm (Sport 410 2019)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 306kW / 410Nm (Sport 410 2020, 20th Anniversary 2020)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 296kW / 420Nm (Sport 390 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 313kW / 427Nm (Sport 420 Final Edition 2021)
- 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder supercharged petrol, 321kW / 427Nm (Cup 430 Final Edition 2021)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Scura, S, Sport 350, Sport 380, Cup 430, Sport 410, 20th Anniversary, Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition, Cup 430 Final Edition)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Sport 350, Sport 380)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.5 – 11.9 / 100km (Scura)
- 7.2 – 13.6 / 100km (S)
- 8.0 – 14.4 / 100km (Sport 350)
- 8.3 – 14.1 / 100km (Sport 380)
- 8.5 – 16.8 / 100km (Cup 430)
- 8.1 – 14.9 / 100km (Sport 410, 20th Anniversary)
- 8.3 – 15.2 / 100km (Cup 430 Final Edition)
Length
- 3785mm – 4084mm (2 door Coupe)
- 3879mm – 4084mm (2 door Roadster)
Width
- 1719mm – 1802mm (2 door Coupe)
- 1799mm – 1802mm (2 door Roadster)
Height
- 1129mm – 1143mm (2 door Coupe)
- 1117mm – 1129mm (2 door Roadster)
Wheelbase
- 2300mm – 2370mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- Unknown kg – 1182kg (2 door Coupe)
- Unknown kg – 1172kg (2 door Roadster)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (All Models)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 2 years / unlimited km (Scura)
- 3 years / unlimited km (S, Sport 350, Sport 380, Sport 410, Cup 430, 20th Anniversary, Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition, Cup 430 Final Edition)
- 0 years / 0 km (Cup 430)
Servicing
- 15,000 km / 12 months (Scura, S, Sport 350, Sport 380, Sport 410, Cup 430, 20th Anniversary, Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition, Cup 430 Final Edition)
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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