Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Lotus Elise is best reserved for track use, but that’s not the case at all.
By virtue of its low weight, it's surprisingly easy to manoeuvre at lower speeds – despite not having power steering – and a breeze to get off the line. Bear in mind, though, that it's not the quietest or most refined car in the world, and there’s plenty of wind and road noise at speed.
If you prefer a car that you can feel moving around beneath you, an A110S is a better bet, but the Cup 250’s accuracy is massively rewarding. If you want something a touch more forgiving, the Sport 240 is just peachy on a road or track, with steering that’s more communicative than the average after-dinner speaker.
As a whole, whether you opt for the hardcore Cup 250 or the Sport 240, the Elise is wonderfully fizzy and engaging while remaining surprisingly unintimidating. It’s one of the best driver’s cars you can choose to enjoy.
