The Lotus Exige is a two-seater built from 2008 to 2012 over 2 generations. Between 2008 and 2016 it grew 29 cm longer and gained 224 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Exige is
The Lotus Exige is a two-seater that Lotus built from 2008 to 2012 — 5 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2016. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Lotus range: Emira, Elise, Esprit.
Exige generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Exige's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Exige that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-2011 | 379 cm | 230 cm | 942 kg | - | - |
| 2016 | 408 cm | 237 cm | 1166 kg | +29 cm | +224 kg |
Between 2008 and 2016 the Exige gained 29 cm in length (+7.7%) and 224 kg in weight (+23.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Exige that is 224 kg against 29 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Lotus Exige tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Exige owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Lotus Exige have? Power & range
The Lotus Exige is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Lotus Exige, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Exige by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Lotus Exige. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Exige | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 4 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lotus Exige?
The Exige is a two-seater, built from 2008 to 2012 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the Exige have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2016. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Exige grew 29 cm longer and gained 224 kg.
What is the Lotus Exige warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Exige reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Exige?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Lotus
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Emira | 2024–2026 | 1 | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lotus Elise | 2005–2012 | 12 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lotus Evora | 2010–2026 | 8 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lotus Esprit | 1981–2009 | 11 | 19 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Lotus Elan | 1990–2009 | 3 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lotus ELETRE | 2025–2026 | — | — | 4.5/5 |