DecodedCars2011 Lotus Elise/exige
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 21 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 20% better than the average 2011 two seaters (19.1 MPG).
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Lotus Elise/exige is a two seaters offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 27 highway), 20% better than the 2011 two seaters average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Elise/exige — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Elise/exige →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elise/Exige | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +20% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Elise/Exige | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +15% | $3,750 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Lotus Elise/exige.
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · May 27, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V280000 · 860 vehicles
- Problem
- Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The oil cooler hose may detach from its fitting.
- Risk
- A detached oil hose could spray oil on a tire, increasing the risk of a crash, or it could spray oil throughout the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on the Elise and Exige vehicles and will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies on the Evora vehicles, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Lotus at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' number for this recall is 201401R (Elise/Exige), and 2014/02R (Evora). Note: This recall is an expansion of recalls 11V-510 and 13V-041.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Flasher Unit · Nov 3, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V541000 · 78 vehicles
- Problem
- LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ELISE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE FITTED WITH TURN SIGNAL MODULES WHICH WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE REVISED FRONT HEADLIGHT CONFIGURATION WHICH INCLUDES THE INTEGRAL FRONT LED TURN SIGNAL UNITS. THE INCOMPATIBLE MODULE MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAUSE ALL THE LED TURN SIGNAL LAMPS TO FLASH AT AN ERRATIC FREQUENCY WHEN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, IN THE EVENT THAT EITHER A FRONT OR REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP FAILS TO ILLUMINATE OR DOES NOT FLASH AT THE CORRECT FREQUENCY WHEN OPERATED, THE REMAINING FUNCTIONING SIGNAL LAMPS ON THAT VEHICLES SIDE AS WELL AS THE INSTRUMENT TURN TELL TALE LAMP WILL NOT FLASH AT AN INCREASED RATE AS INTENDED.
- Risk
- THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE VISUALLY ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLES TURN SIGNAL LAMPS IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.
Not every 2011 Lotus Elise/exige is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2011 Lotus Elise/exige in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2011 Lotus Elise/exige buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Lotus Elise/exige. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Elise/exige years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Elise/exige | 23 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Elise/exige | 23 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 Elise/exige | 23 | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 Elise/exige | 23 | – | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2006 Elise/exige | 22 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 Elise/exige | 22 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lotus. How we calculate this →