- Newest year: 2004
- Gas
- Two-seaters
- Same as 2003
2000-2004 Lotus Esprit MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 16–19 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 3 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2004. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2004 Lotus Esprit at a glance
The 2000-2004 Lotus Esprit covers 5 model years in the EPA database (5 configurations in all), rated 16–19 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2004, costs about $5,020 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD (16 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001 and 2002; 2003 and 2004 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 19 MPG, was reached in 2001.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2004 Lotus Esprit by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gas | 16 MPG | $5,020 | Same EPA ratings as 2003 |
| 2003 | Gas | 16 MPG | $5,020 | Same EPA ratings as 2002 |
| 2002 | Gas | 16 MPG | $5,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 19 MPG | $4,230 | Ratings changed |
| 2000 | Gas | 16 MPG | $5,020 | First year |
What the 2004 V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs to drive
Per month
$418
$5,020 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$8.37
Per 100 miles
$33.47
Five years
$25,100
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$790more a year
Class median $4,230 a year, MY2004
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Lotus Esprit MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2004 Lotus Esprit as for the 2003 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2003 section above.See 2003
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 (Most efficient) | 3.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Lotus Esprit MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2002
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2003 Lotus Esprit as for the 2002 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2002 section above.See 2002
2002 Lotus Esprit MPG
16 MPG · $5,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 19 to 16 MPG, down 3. Its annual cost goes from $4,230 to $5,020, $790 more.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 (Most efficient) | 3.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Lotus Esprit MPG
19 MPG · $4,230/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration moves from 16 to 19 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $5,020 to $4,230, $790 less.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 (Most efficient) | 3.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 15 | 27 | 19 | $4,230 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2000 Lotus Esprit MPG
16 MPG · $5,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 (Most efficient) | 3.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD: $5,990 in California and $4,350 in Texas, a $1,640 difference.
- California $5,990
- Washington $5,630
- New York $4,960
- Florida $4,590
- Texas $4,350
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2004 two-seater models.
Generations
- 2000-2004 (S4)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2004 Lotus Esprit get?
EPA rates the 2000-2004 Lotus Esprit at 16–19 MPG combined across 5 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2001 V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD, is rated 19 MPG (15 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2004 Lotus Esprit?
The V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 19 MPG, in 2001. The lowest top rating, 16 MPG, was in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2004 Lotus Esprit?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 and 2004 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Lotus Esprit per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs about $5,020 a year. Across all 1 configuration the cost runs $5,020 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2004 Lotus Esprit 100 miles?
About $33.47 per 100 miles for the V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2004 Lotus Esprit more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD is rated 14 city and 21 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2004 Lotus Esprit compare with other two-seater configurations?
The V8 3.5L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs about $5,020 a year to fuel, $790 more than the class median of $4,230, and less than 3 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 59 rated two-seater configurations for MY2004, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2004 Lotus Esprit different from the 2003 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2003 and 2004: 1 configuration rated 16 MPG combined. See the 2003 Lotus Esprit for that year.