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Lotus Evora Coupe (2009-2021) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 2.5 out of 52.5

Written by Adam Binnie Updated: 11 February 2021

Miles per pound (mpp)

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.
Petrol engines 3.8 - 3.9 mpp
What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only.
Petrol engines 25.7 - 26.7 mpg
View mpg & specs for any version
  • Fuel consumption similar across range
  • Don’t expect a massive mpg
  • GT410 cheaper to run (in theory)

No part of Lotus Evora ownership is likely to be cheap but there are a few areas of consideration – the manual version of the GT410 uses the least fuel and the automatic produces the most CO2.

The manual GT410 weirdly makes 6g/km more than the Sport but otherwise it’s a pretty close run thing in this department, so you can pick whichever version you want with your head and heart.

  • GT410 manual: 26.7mpg, 245g/km of CO2
  • GT410 auto: 25.7mpg, 248g/km of CO2
  • GT410 Sport manual: 26.7mpg, 239g/km of CO2
  • GT410 Sport auto: 25.7mpg, 248g/km of CO2

In other areas running costs may be lower than you expect – the Evora is light, which means it doesn’t need massive brakes and should (in theory) be less punishing on its pads. Take it on a track with any regularity however, and that will rapidly change.

Lotus Evora rear 2020 brakes

On that point, the GT410 uses cheaper (comparatively) and harder Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, so they should last longer and cost less to replace than the Sport’s has Cup 2s. The same track-use caveat applies, however.

Reliability

  • Not thought of as a traditional Lotus trademark
  • The Evora has been around a while though
  • Toyota-based engine should be sound

Small run, hand-built sports cars are often not among the most anecdotally reliable and we’ve had a few minor issues with test models, which to be fair, often life quite a hard life.

One had a leaky seal on the driver’s door and another featured a glovebox that needed a hard slam to close properly.

Few problems have been reported with the Toyota Camry-sourced engine and automatic gearbox, though, except for loose gear linkage cables on manual cars, particularly early ones – a known Evora reliability issue.

There was a recall for Evora S models in 2012 for the risk of an oil pipe leak and a further recall in 2013 for an oil cooler pipe leak.

Ongoing running costs

Road tax £415 - £710
Insurance group 47 - 50
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