Summary
The Lotus Emeya is a large, high-performance electric saloon that launched in 2024. Along with the related Lotus Eletre electric SUV, the Emeya is built in China rather than the traditional Lotus home of Norfolk in the UK.
Together with the Eletre, the Emeya is a bold step into a new world for Lotus, with a large, heavy, electric grand touring saloon being a far cry from its traditional featherweight sports cars. That has been a stumbling block for some of its media reviews to date, but it’s certainly not the first car manufacturer to try to broaden its appeal beyond traditional sports cars – even Ferrari is launching an EV in late 2025.
The Lotus Emeya is available with two levels of performance and a selection of trim levels, topping out at more than 900hp for acceleration that will take you from a standing start to a jail cell in no time at all.
Media reviews of the Lotus have been positive, although acknowledging that the electric supersaloon bar has been set very high by the Porsche Taycan. Nevertheless, reviewers have admired the Emeya’s style and comfort, with plenty of praise for the cabin’s luxury and technology levels. The driving experience has been praised, albeit with concern that the Emeya’s high weight numbs the overall feeling for the driver.
As of March 2026, the Lotus Emeya holds a New Car Rating of B, with a score of 68%. It scores top marks for its zero tailpipe emissions, while its media review scores are also good (although not on a par with the Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron GT). However, very high running costs drag down its overall score, and we don’t yet have any Euro NCAP data to provide a safety rating.
Emeya highlights
- Top-notch build quality and technology
- Luxurious and spacious interior
- Exhilarating performance
Emeya lowlights
- Super heavy weight blunts driving experience
- Not a relaxing grand tourer
- Not as sharp as a Porsche Taycan to drive
Key specifications
Body style: Large saloon
Engines: electric, all-wheel drive
Price: From £84,990 on-road
Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: Spring 2025
Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“If ever a car needed clear badges to tell other motorists what it is, it’s a 2.5-ton Lotus saloon car. Although if you saw it alongside Audi’s e‑tron GT and Porsche’s Taycan, chances are you’d be drawn to the Brit’s more distinctive style.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Evo
Stuart Gallagher
“The Lotus Emeya is a high-tech electric saloon that’s great to drive, but it’s really inefficient.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Darren Cassey
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Huge, heavy electric GT cars might not be what most of us expect from Lotus, but with the new Emeya R, it has really delivered. It’s a car that’s as quick as a similarly priced Porsche Taycan Turbo in a straight line, yet more refined and no less sharp – more predictable, in fact – to drive. Add in a similarly sumptuous but more spacious cabin and incredible charging speeds, and it’s only efficiency where the Porsche has an edge.”
Author: Alex Ingram
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Let’s for a moment pretend the Emeya doesn’t have a Lotus badge. Looking at it from a cold, rational perspective, the Emeya is reasonably priced compared to rivals, has a comfortable ride, and a luxuriously spacious interior.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“I actually think it’s a lot better than the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Tesla can keep its Model S. It is by Lotus’ own words softer than the Porsche Taycan, but people might like that!”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s still much bigger and heavier than the famed Lotus sports cars of the past, but the Emeya is a solid electric grand tourer. The build-quality, technology and driving experience are all highly impressive, making this a genuine competitor to the fearsome Porsche Taycan.”
Author: Shane Wilkinson
Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Emeya S
Score: 8 / 10
“We’re still getting our heads around the idea of a Lotus with up to 905hp that weighs 2.6 tonnes. Look past the brand baggage, though, and the Lotus Emeya is an impressive performance EV – particularly in less expensive ‘S’ guise.”
Author: Tim Pitt
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“No, the Emeya isn’t as sharp as a Taycan, but it’s far more spacious inside, has a bigger boot and feels more luxurious without having to plunder the options list. In fact, the Lotus badge is arguably its biggest hurdle. After all, you expect a certain degree of lightness and playfulness from a Lotus, it never engages or entertains like the best performance cars out there.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Emeya R
Score: 6 / 10
“Certainly exhilarating but never relaxing, a bit like owning a menacing pet.”
Author: Andrew English
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Lotus’ take on a four-door electric express wows more with its interior and comfort than how it handles.”
Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Lotus Emeya is a phenomenal car. Its looks, performance, and driving experience are incredible. A Tesla Model S Plaid might be able to beat it in a straight line, but the Emeya would challenge it round bendier roads. And it would beat it hands down on interior luxury. The Lotus Emeya is very expensive, but if you want supercar driving with true four- or five-seat comfort, it’s extraordinary.”
Author: James Morris
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the Lotus Emeya has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Lotus Emeya has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Emeya is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 348 miles | A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.4 m/KWh | E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F |
The Lotus Emeya is an unsurprisingly expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of fuel consumption in a petrol or diesel car) is poor, although a large battery means you can still expect more than 300 miles of driving range. Insurance is also inevitably in the very top group, so your annual premium will be pricey.
As of May 2025, we don’t have verified service and maintenance costs for the Emeya. Check back again soon for the latest information.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough data to produce a reliability score for the Lotus Emeya.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Emeya, we’ll publish the results here.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Lotus Emeya
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Lotus Emeya. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Lotus dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Lotus Emeya, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi e-tron GT | BMW M8 Gran Coupé | Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door | Polestar 1 | Porsche Panamera | Porsche Taycan | Tesla Model S | Xiaomi SU7
The electric supersaloon market is inevitably small, so potential rivals for the Lotus Emeya include petrol or hybrid models from other brands, as well as EVs like the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Lotus Emeya at The Car Expert
Buy a Lotus Emeya
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Lotus Emeya, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
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Subscribe to a Lotus Emeya
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