Lotus averages 20.4 mpg combined across 13 models (1984–2027). The best on record does 24 mpg, the thirstiest 14 — a yearly fuel gap of about $1,143.
What that actually costs
What a Lotus costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 20.4 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $1,882 |
| Most frugal on record | 24 mpg — $1,600 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 14 mpg — $2,743 a year |
Lotus models by fuel economy
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
| Model | Average mpg | Best / Worst engine | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Elan | 24 / 23 | $1,620 | |
| Lotus 340R | 23 / 23 | $1,670 | |
| Lotus Eleven | 23 / 23 | $1,670 | |
| Lotus Europa | 23 / 23 | $1,670 | |
| Lotus Exige | 23 / 23 | $1,670 | |
| Lotus Elise | 23 / 22 | $1,692 | |
| Lotus Evora | 23 / 20 | $1,803 | |
| Lotus ELETRE | 21 / 21 | $1,829 | |
| Lotus Emira | 21 / 21 | $1,829 | |
| Lotus Eclat | 24 / 14 | $1,920 | |
| Lotus Elite | 24 / 14 | $1,920 | |
| Lotus Turbo Esprit | 24 / 14 | $2,065 | |
| Lotus Esprit | 19 / 14 | $2,207 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Lotus mpg?
20.4 mpg combined across 13 models rated between 1984 and 2027. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.
Which Lotus model is the most economical?
See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.
How much does a Lotus cost to run?
About $1,882 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.
Why does the average look low for a modern brand?
Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.