The first test is climbing aboard, normally a test of flexibility with a Lotus but less so with the Evora. It takes a bit of practice to exit cleanly and with dignity intact, but it is possible.
Inside, the driver’s seat is supportive but it is relatively thinly padded and lacks height adjustment. However, forward visibility is good and the steering adjusts for both reach and rake. Most of us found it easy to get comfortable, save for its offset pedals.
The sweeping dashboard structure and suspended centre blade are neatly designed, as are the simple but striking dials and accompanying twin displays.
However, the longer you spend in the Evora, the more details you find that aren’t quite right. Dials suffer from reflections in strong sunlight, back-lit buttons are hidden by the steering wheel, and there’s nowhere to rest your right elbow.
Compared with an Elise, it feels much more spacious and upmarket, but you’d expect more for £49,875. And that’s before you consider that the cruise control, extended leather, parking sensors (near essentials) and navigation system (best avoided) on this car push the price up to £63,707.
And the rear seats? Adult use will be limited to very short distances only. The issue is as much the restricted head room as the lack of leg room. But ultimately they’re no less spacious than those in a 911 or Audi TT.
Historically, Lotuses hold their value well thanks to low rates of production and high demand. That the Evora is forecast to retain its value better than the Cayman S and M3 is one of the very few monetary aspects where the Lotus has the edge over the more solidly built and cheaper Porsche.
That said, good economy and low CO2 (though it still falls in the same road tax band as the Cayman S) as well as the rear seats all help.
Still, issues such as the perceived quality, poor standard spec and the high price may have you thinking twice about Evora ownership.
