The Lotus Emira does 21 mpg combined (18 city, 26 highway), which works out to about $1,829 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 21 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 21 — a difference of $0 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Lotus Emira engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lotus Emira ranges from 21 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $0 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2024–2025 | $1,829 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2026–2027 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The Lotus Emira burns a gallon every 21 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 571 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.152 |
| Fuel per year | $1,829 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,145 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$335 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lotus Emira gives up 8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26 out there against 18 in town, a 44% drop worth $656 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Emira changed over the years
Combined figure across the 4 model years the Emira was rated in, all of them at 21 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2026 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2025 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2024 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Lotus Emira — 2 engines across 2024–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,950. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lotus Emira get?
21 mpg combined on average — 18 in the city and 26 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2024–2027.
How much does a Lotus Emira cost in fuel per year?
About $1,829 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,145 over five years, or 0.152 dollars a mile.
Which Emira engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 21 mpg, against 21 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $0 a year.
Is the Emira good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Emira figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lotus Emira is $2,950 against the $1,829 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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