- Newest year: 2011
- Gas
- Two-seaters
2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 22–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2011. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige at a glance
The 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige covers 3 model years in the EPA database (6 configurations in all), rated 22–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2011, costs about $3,480 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD (23 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2011; 2010 repeat the values of the year before.
2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige by model year
What the 2011 Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$290
$3,480 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.80
Per 100 miles
$23.20
Five years
$17,400
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$460less a year
Class median $3,940 a year, MY2011
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2011 Lotus Elise/Exige MPG
Versus 2010: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,490 to $3,480, $10 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | RWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $3,480 |
| Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | RWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,600 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2010 Lotus Elise/Exige MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2009
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2010 Lotus Elise/Exige as for the 2009 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2009 section above.See 2009
2009 Lotus Elise/Exige MPG
22–23 MPG · $3,490–$3,650/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | RWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $3,490 |
| Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | RWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,650 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD: $4,140 in California and $3,010 in Texas, a $1,130 difference.
- California $4,140
- Washington $3,900
- New York $3,430
- Florida $3,170
- Texas $3,010
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2011 two-seater models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige get?
EPA rates the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige at 22–23 MPG combined across 6 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2011 Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD, is rated 23 MPG (21 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige?
Every model year of the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige tops out at 23 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2011. In 2010 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2009-2011 Lotus Elise/Exige compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2007-2008 Lotus Elise/Exige) is rated 22–23 MPG combined and costs $2,840–$2,970 a year to fuel; the 2009-2011 model is rated 22–23 MPG and costs $3,480–$3,650 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Lotus Elise/Exige per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,480 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $3,480–$3,600 a year. That is a $120 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2011 Lotus Elise/Exige 100 miles?
About $23.20 per 100 miles for the Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $23.20 and $24.00 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2011 Lotus Elise/Exige more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD is rated 21 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2011 Lotus Elise/Exige compare with other two-seater configurations?
The Elise/Exige 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,480 a year to fuel, $460 less than the class median of $3,940, and less than 8 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 67 rated two-seater configurations for MY2011, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2011 Lotus Elise/Exige different from the 2010 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,490 to $3,480, $10 less. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2011 against 2 configurations for 2010. See the 2010 Lotus Elise/Exige for that year.