For The Exige S is exhilarating to drive, with phenomenal grip and handling and staggering pace. It looks every inch the compact supercar, too.
Against The Exige S's cabin is dated and it's expensive to buy. You need to be as supple as a wet rag to get in and out, too.
What Car? says
Stunning performance and handling, but the Lotus Exige is too expensive to recommend.
What Car? readers say
4.75
There are 0 Lotus Exige versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
The Exige S is much more than a souped-up Elise – there are major chassis and bodywork changes and the engine is a version of the one in the Europa. In essence, it's a racing car for the road, although the latest version is aimed at being a more usable everyday car than previous models.
That said, Lotus expects around two-thirds of buyers will go for the optional Race Pack, which adds bespoke tyres and suspension settings and a more sophisticated stability control system. The latter provides impressive traction through corners, so it's a sound choice for a car such as this.
Despite a sheen of sophistication, the Exige S remains rough-and-ready in many areas. If you can afford a four-wheeled toy and live near a fantastic bit of B-road or a race track, this could just be your dream car. The price is high, however, especially considering what else you could get for the money.
Reader test team says:
Lotus Exige Coupe 1.8i Touring 2dr
I got the Exige Series 2 111r having had an Elise. This car never fails to put a smile on my face. It's performance is outstanding. The build quality…
5
out of 5 stars
Lotus Exige Coupe 1.8i 240R 2dr
The Elise was a fabulous handling car. No one thought it could get better, but then it did, by adding a hard roof and giant spoiler. The fuel economy…
5
out of 5 stars
Lotus Exige Coupe 1.8i 2dr
It appears that Lotus have toned down the styling of the S2 Exige to appeal to a wider audience and make the car more usable everyday. The styling is…
4
out of 5 stars
Lotus Exige Coupe 1.8i 2dr
It has an awful lot of performance for the money, even if most of it comes above 6200rpm. It's great on the track with the sticky Avons from the…
5
out of 5 stars
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Our pick of the range
Lotus Exige Coupe 1.8 S 2dr
As with the Elise, the beauty of the Exige is in its simplicity, so there's no need to go beyond this most basic version.
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