Lotus Elise review

Many people will scoff at the concept of a mid-engined sports car being even remotely practical. However, the Lotus Elise does have a boot behind its engine that's big enough for two soft bags, and there’s room in the cabin for two six-footers. That makes it quite a bit more practical than similarly track-focused sports cars such as the Caterham Seven and Ariel Atom. 

Of course, if you’re planning on doing long distance European road trips or using your car everyday, an Alpine A110 or Porsche 718 Boxster S will be more accommodating. There’s also no glovebox or door bins in the Lotus, and while the shelf below the dashboard can easily hold a large smartphone, a wallet and a few other odds and sods, it isn't lined with non-slip material, so you have to drive very carefully if you want to avoid your belongings being scattered about the interior. 

There is, to the left of this ledge and above the sill, a USB socket that you can use to charge your phone, but it doesn’t connect to the optional Sony head unit. We also wish the fiddly fabric roof was a little easier to erect and stow away. We reckon most will simply take it off and leave it in the garage.