The Lotus Exige does 22.7 mpg combined (20.6 city, 26.7 highway), which works out to about $1,692 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Lotus Exige engine, compared
The Lotus Exige was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 20.6 / 26.7 | 2005–2011 | $1,692 |
What that actually costs
The Lotus Exige burns a gallon every 22.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 529 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.141 |
| Fuel per year | $1,692 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,460 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$198 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,207 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lotus Exige gives up 6.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.7 out there against 20.6 in town, a 30% drop worth $426 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 | 20.6 mpg | $1,864 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.7 mpg | $1,438 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.1 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Exige changed over the years
The Exige peaked in 2011 at 23 mpg (21 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2011 car does 23. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2008 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Lotus Exige — 1 engine across 2005–2011. 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 $3,207. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lotus Exige get?
22.7 mpg combined on average — 20.6 in the city and 26.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2011.
How much does a Lotus Exige cost in fuel per year?
About $1,692 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,460 over five years, or 0.141 dollars a mile.
Which Exige engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 22.7 mpg.
Is the Exige 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 Exige 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 Exige is $3,207 against the $1,692 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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