Lotus Eletre review: can a 2.5 ton Lotus really be a home run?

The Eletre is a whole new type of Lotus, and it's quite frankly blown us away... Steve Sutcliffe's been won over by the new luxury electric SUV, and it's not just down to tech, comfort or its brilliant interior, but the fact that, somehow, the Eletre drives like a Lotus. Madness.
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Chapters:
00:00 What the F is a Lotus Eletre?
01:00 Initial driving impressions
01:55 Tech specs
02:30 How this fat SUV feels like a Lotus
03:40 The interior's just like an Aston Martin
04:45 Steve from the back seats with waiting room music
05:10 Steve's still stupefied
05:30 More about the good stuff - driving!
06:45 Does anyone like digital door mirrors?
08:00 Summing it up

[@flyingphoenix113]

A note for the editor: the music was quite distracting while Steve was talking. Perhaps consider a more ambient soundtrack.

[@djsammy.b]

I saw the thumbnails for other channels reviewing the car and thought na thanks then I saw that Mr. Sutcliffe was reviewing it an instant pressed play . Yes yes yes 👌🏽

[@robinpratt1541]

Great review of an utterly mind-blowing car. I certainly would like one with real door mirrors!

[@TheHesK9]

You can option them

[@srbmckenzie]

Thankfully that's a £2k saving

[@meady200]

I've smashed the odd door mirror in my time, and it's cost a few quid to replace it. Wonder how much one of those camera jobs is to replace.

[@Neil2022]

Wing cameras are an optional extra. Regular wing mirrors as standard.

[@scottmuir2385]

As a petrol head I have zero interest in a Lotus SUV that is electric - but when Steve says its brilliant, perhaps I need to rethink! But at £104k…. Thats a bit of a pill to swallow for an unknown, I mean its not a Porsche Tycan in terms of pedigree. But if Steve says its brilliant - these words come with weight!

[@beaublue1625]

You can have the base model & spec it up to £95k & Lotus have competitive PCP deals too. That’s the one I’m looking at

[@srbmckenzie]

The 'base' model is £10k cheaper (so still not exactly cheap) but has everything you need... Plus the one Steve drove was a lot more than £104k - those mirrors are £2k, the active handling is £6k...

[@srbmckenzie]

Great review! Thanks Steve!

[@evkx]

Great review! Added it to the model database and our frontpage

[@InspirationSessions]

Great to hear about all the plus points, 'Lotus' steering in particular, interior excellence an unexpected bonus, not super-keen on the styling but probably look better in a more flattering colour. Best Chinese car to date?

[@InspirationSessions]

PS: Watched a couple more reviews for comparison - I really rate Sutcliffe but interesting how much he raved about the steering/handling when others have been less blown away

[@GeordieAmanda]

Yay, Steve video! :) Brilliant review as always, Mr Sutcliffe.

[@joedesi99]

Great review Steve, as usual. Terrible music. Distracting

[@beaublue1625]

Great review Steve as usual and it looks stunning but … is it too big? Equivalent to an RR Sport size or bigger? Hope you get the chance to drive it in the future non stop for 250 miles + to see how many miles it can really do on one charge as opposed to an ICE SUV at motorway speeds ie 70+ non stop please?

[@Reko_89]

This vehicle takes my breath away! Would be the first EV I’d purchase in a heart beat! WOW

[@greatpariscars]

If a review is being done by Steve Sutcliffe, I'm watching it.

[@antonymcneillis]

Does it have a proper sun shade screen or solid roof option?

[@beaublue1625]

I have an I Pace & the new I Pace 400 Sport looks superb & not as large as the Lotus that I feel, will be too big! I’ve done France & back in my I Pace & it is fantastic, has brilliant performance & handling, loads of boot space but….. I can’t get 150 miles at 70+ !! Like to see how many miles this Lotus can really do as a drivers car for 200 + miles non stop although, with a 112kWh battery as opposed to the Jags 87 or so, it should do at least 250 miles (regularly do 280 miles to Scotland but have to stop for a full charge halfway). PCP figures look good on the Lotus too but it’s a really big SUV.

[@imBugra]

I also do wonder what would be the real world range with 100+ mph motorway speeds in Europe. Especially with that Eletre R.

[@yvesvandenbroek6055]

Well, I have an iX50, it beats the Eletre S, 23kwh/100km for my BMW against 29 for the eletre s on the same test Lap at 130km/h for 39km, I had an Eletre S on pre order, will cancel it, I just did a trip with the iX 1050km to south at France at high speed, 2 stops of 35 minutes during breakfast and lunch with the iX …. I’m waiting to test drive a base model with 20 inch wheels, as in Europe it is not possible to get the eletre s with 20 inch wheels … no downgrade. I like the looks and space, but the efficiency is bad … if you really want a roatrip car I highly recommend the BMW iX 50, it’s super efficient, even on the 22 inch wheels I have. (And I fixed the ugly beaver grill, blacked out it disappears)

[@imBugra]

@yvesvandenbroek6055 great insights, thanks. Decided to go with a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid instead. Cancelled an Eletre R order two weeks ago. I saw the car last week and it's amazing. The interior quality is top notch. Lucky one who's buying it, not practical for me, unfortunately.

[@yvesvandenbroek6055]

​@@imBugra Great car the Cayenne, is the first one to have great Apple CarPlay integration and is still on my radar as well …

[@imBugra]

@@yvesvandenbroek6055 little bit on the heavier side for an ICE car, but suits well for my daily driving.

[@matthewstanton9633]

Test drove this at the weekend its phenomenal. Everything Peter says is spot on. Trouble is I now want the Emeya instead, looks like it will be real competition for the Taycan

[@grahamjohnson4702]

This is never a Lotus as what I have heard from people that have a Lotus you have to learn to live with unreliability, and this seems very reliable to me and well put together.

[@mattbuckley392]

Well done Lotus. I think it's a shame that Jaguar have not pushed the I Pace a little further and produced a more aggressive version. I say this because it is easily one of the best looking EV's out there .... I am biased driving one and the air suspension is epic. I can imagine how well the Electre must drive and wish them every success in this new thriving segment.

[@electrikoptik]

There’s nothing Lotus about this. It’s all Geely.

[@notagain2856]

​@@electrikoptikLotus did all the development works for the suspension, powertrain amd aerodynamic

[@fredfrond6148]

Lotus is part of the geeley, Volvo, polestar and Zeekr group. All of whom bring their own specialties to the game. For example Geeley production, Volvo design and lotus driving dynamics.

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

Dodge Caravan at 4:46. What’s that doing in Norway?

[@matthewstanton9633]

I'm currently in an I Pace and looking for my next EV. I was going for taycan but could do with abit more space. This is very!! tempting

[@beaublue1625]

I too have an I Pace & the new 400 Sport is superb & not as large as the Lotus that I feel, will be too big! I’ve done France & back in my I Pace & it is superb, has brilliant performance & handling, loads of boot space but….. I can’t get 150 miles at 70+ !! Like to see how many miles this Lotus can really do as a drivers car for 200 + miles non stop although, with a 112kWh battery as opposed to the Jags 87 or so, it should do at least 250 miles (regularly do 280 miles to Scotland but have to stop for a full charge halfway).

[@richardweeds9566]

Someone paid attention at school

[@Fuzzarr]

Great thumbnail!

[@piperbob2]

I wonder how the forthcoming electric Porsche Macan will compare (?)

[@borgbjergdk]

112 kW battery, so its how much it can deliver? 😁😁

[@victoriahayden2961]

Wow! 🤩💛

[@drew699]

Huge fan of Lotus, but not of this ugly 2500Kg lump, however it’s good to hear a highly enthusiastic review from a journalist that really knows their stuff. Let’s hope the Elise replacement will be worth the wait!

[@petersimms4982]

It’s a Zeeker ! 😂

[@begood5652]

Much like what the Cayenne is to its Touareg cousin😅

[@_Ben4810]

& the Lotus Carlton, Lotus Cortinas & Talbot Lotus Sunbeams were......??????

[@petersimms4982]

@@_Ben4810 rubbish?

[@PrinceBarin77]

If it’s good enough for Steve… just ordered mine (with old school door mirrors 😂).

[@deldridg]

Reading between the lines, one might get a suspicion that Steve thinks this Lotus is not bad.

[@69op2gg1005ify0m]

What is this reviewers name?

[@daaneshahmed9294]

great car, great review, but please turn that god awful music in the background off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@powerhouse884]

I LIKE IT

[@SSRstudio]

Steve Sutcliffe great Job DOne! Lotus please make a smaller fun to drive lighter EV vehicle - it seems it will be best on the market

[@quigonjay9]

Quite a different view to the last review I watched that said it drove in no what so ever like a Lotus

[@peterh407]

None of the colours on the Configurator are great for the car, be interesting to see what the actually range is

[@JBOsurf]

it looks like the suspension is too stiff in sport mode...It's jostling Steve all over the place and thumping through bumps.

[@williamdrijver4141]

In normal daily driving as fast as an Urus for less than a third of the price. For people who do not mind supporting China it could be an interesting crossover.

[@rayaston1728]

Steve’s, as ever, excellent review content is spoilt by intrusive, distracting and very annoying background music. Good content doesn’t need “jazzing up” in this way.

[@Staatus_Quo]

Forget the Lotus; let's talk about the 1st gen Dodge Caravan at 5 minutes.

[@GinoFoto]

Hay Google, describe Lotus, what it is? ˇˇ Manufacturer of lightweight, nimble two seater sports cars... or wait a minute.

[@notagain2856]

You are too late with the same stale argument purists used when Porsche came out with Cayenne

[@Evoque786]

Wow !! The Chinese definitely did a great job and saved this iconic brand from disappearing like many other British brands.. well done China 🇨🇳

[@egidiomeola]

Looks like voters has reinvented the car they're brilliant

[@myleaux2282]

It’s a jaguar I-pace 2.0

[@andrewbroadfort6856]

Odd that they did not give it any Lotus styling cues.

[@DuulHomes]

Brahhhh, look at the back!!! Deff you can see Lotus design

[@Kookanoodles]

To be fair what's a Lotus styling cue? Where's the common ground between a Seven, an Elan, an Esprit and an Exige?

[@davidcolin6519]

Lotus were never a "World Power" except in F1. Nothing to do with real Lotuses, but I hope that it means that Lotus as a brand and an ideal, survive. I think that the company will survive, but this may be the end of the ideal, even when it shouldn't The fact is that the tech is now there to make a REAL electric Lotus, but I just don't think that its Chinese owners, have the cojones.

[@_Ben4810]

Not on the day Group Lotus just announced an £84 million annual loss & 200 folks losing their jobs...I think Geely have shown they have the nuts for the Lotus brand, but one of the Lotus core expertise is tuning & improving other manufacturer's platforms...& this is forever the most cost-effective & sensible way to go....rather than blowing £1-2 billion+ on designing from scratch a new car...

[@beatles4sale2007]

Just what we needed….another 2.5T, 100K+ electric SUV to save the world….

[@meady200]

In a Lotus of all things. The last bastion of lightweight purity.

[@ruemignon]

We can always buy a Renault Twingo, which uses fossil fuels, is lighter and cheaper.

[@begood5652]

If u r counting companies like Lotus or Porsche to save the world, there must be something wrong with u pal.

[@ohyesitsme]

Another Geely monster causing congestion on our roads. It might be a wonderful ride but probably used by the super rich for the school run. Looks like Caterham are showing Lotus the way when it comes to EV's

[@Petroelhead]

Oh wow, another SUV. How exiting 😴 Imagine how exiting this thing could be in a propper car shape...

[@rogerpayne5336]

I mean , it looks bizarre for starters. Then there's the weight (2.5t). Then the silence because its ev ( no intoxicating engine noise )....Sure ! it can handle for it's size and weight ; but how long will the ' handle's well ' novelty last ?.....And after that it becomes just another ev whitegoods , from Lotus..........I hope Lotus going all electric works for them , but personally I'm not sure.

[@TheHesK9]

You realise that they have to go all electric by 2030 anyway? Blame the uk government for that

[@rogerpayne5336]

@@TheHesK9 The UK government doesn't know what he'll it's doing right now so am expecting that ban to be rescinded at some point....Look at the EU and what happened with their ban.

[@TheHesK9]

@@rogerpayne5336 and I'm sure if it does get turned over, Lotus will probably continue making petrol cars

[@Brookspirit]

@@rogerpayne5336 The government will panic when the reality that their net zero and EV car future is pure nonsense. hits home.

[@rogerpayne5336]

@@TheHesK9 Ye let's see what happens with this ridiculous ban ( Boris is to blame for net zero in the UK ). Boris is also crooked as......I like the Emira.

[@odinikita4821]

So what does it sound like unfortunately these EVs have not much emotion

[@user-jq6pp6ji3o]

A baby video

[@georgimihalkov4781]

Steve is one of the greats, so it must be a pretty good car if he's that impressed with it. But what's with the styling...this thing makes the BMW XM look elegant and restrained.

[@notagain2856]

XM's big nostrils looks better? You must be joking

[@georgimihalkov4781]

@@notagain2856 It doesn't look worse than this thing. The front end looks like someone made a Chinese copy of an Urus.

[@spartanp2064]

I was wondering whether the designer for the Pontiac Aztec would get another job… now I know.

[@_Ben4810]

There's only so much you can do when re-styling all the body panels to hang on an existing chassis/body frame...Lotus have done a fantastic job esp. when you look at the Zeekr 001 base car.....

[@williamdrijver4141]

According to the Dutch License plate it's made by "Wuhan Lotus Cars Co. Ltd" 🙂

[@assholetrading1550]

I'm getting it

[@burgundyexpress]

The Chinese will love it. I hate it; Colin Chapman would too.

[@_Ben4810]

Chapman would have loved it....He was a ruthless businessman first & foremost & fixed price overseas manufacture without any of the hassles of tooling & ramp-up costs, no labour or union worries & minimal drain on the forever teetering Group Lotus Hethel cashflow & Lotus Cars going global into new territories with an upmarket product was everything he could only have dreamed of......

[@notagain2856]

I am amazed suddenly everyone seem to know Colin Chapman really well. Tell you what, Lotus making SUVs to fund their sport car programs is better than a bankrupt Lotus

[@johnnywoods9473]

@@notagain2856 I mean he would hate it as a car not as a business case. He liked nimble light weight cars, that's why he didn't build Range Rovers.

[@BobSmith-yh5im]

When I first saw it I thought it was a Kia EV6. Comparing pics side by side, the Kia is actually better looking to me.

[@ruemignon]

I think you do have a point there. Who doesn't like an upturned buttock ? lovely!

[@kizmaiaz7671]

Should have re-watched your review of the Porsche Taycan GTS ST before reviewing this Lotus Eletre. The Porsche might be more expensive after options but is also lighter and much quicker in a sprint. Rest of the specs are comparable. And at least in the Porsche you would not be driving yet another ugly Chinese eSUV...

[@protagonist9716]

This will sell well, it's a crossover, that Porsche is low riding compared to this. This is a hyper crossover in its true form

[@beaublue1625]

The Taycan is not an SUV! You are not comparing like for like. I wouldn’t look at a Taycan as I’m only interested in EV SUVs & the Lotus looks fantastic

[@notagain2856]

Ugly? The Cayenne is still ugly after 3 generations

[@amiller2121]

From the outside, this vehicle is a styling disaster IMO. How can a company that designed the Emira and Evija not do better?

[@msm4445]

Maybe you should see it for real. I’ve seen it and it’s gorgeous. Unfortunately it’s not that photogenic. You should see it in 3D

[@MaticTheProto]

Actually it looks fantastic

[@amiller2121]

@matic8255 If you like the Aztec I guess.

[@alanwayte432]

Fantastic looks

[@michaelrichards1631]

Big and heavy, not like a real lotus, can we have something a little more sporty please, along the lines of Audi's E-tron?!

[@_Ben4810]

''big & heavy, not like a real lotus...'' Isn't that what everyone said about the Lotus Carlton also...?!?

[@alexanderlouie4134]

it comes from china

[@Tiagocouto12]

Your mobilephone too

[@notagain2856]

And co-developed by Lotus. Geely owns Lotus, you do know that dont you?

[@alexanderlouie4134]

@@notagain2856 who cares if it’s co- developed by Lotus, wealth and jobs aren’t created in the UK. In order to achieve their authoritarian objectives in destroying social mobility the average man and woman has been enjoying over a century with fossil fuel powered cars, the left have decided to go to bed with communist China, quite unbelievable really.

[@DLNix]

Own multiple Lotus but just zero interest in this. Styling is terrible and looks every bit the Wuhan built car that it is. That being said hope sells well so Lotus gets cash to offer some amazing final versions of Emira.

[@Brookspirit]

They chose to not make it pretty then.

[@alanwayte432]

Looks great

[@Brookspirit]

@@alanwayte432 Nope, the front looks like one car on top of another. It's a mess.

[@notagain2856]

For a 1st gen SUV, it looks much better than 1st gen Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5

[@augnkn93043]

Car magazines / channels have to say nice things about new cars or the manufacturers won’t give them access / jollies in future. This is a Chinese SUV. It’s ugly and I don’t believe the troll farm comments about it being the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[@albertobenelli]

Boy is this thing UGLY

[@danielatlas5544]

Stop bugging us with over priced electric vehicles,not interested can’t afford it and not even good for a wet dream like a ferrari so what’s the point.

[@michaelteret4763]

Poor Steve, having to review this atrocity…. Lotus used to be so cool….

[@alanwayte432]

Don’t be an idiot...look at Porsche, if it allows Lotus to have a secure profitable future and make cars like the Emira ... then well done for making a great driving SUV

[@bakhteria]

Shame on Lotus!

[@alanwayte432]

Stupid if it allows the company to carry on making Emira due to them making a profit...get a grip

[@TG-pd3ft]

Disgusting and disgraceful. Grossly heavy, polluting, and consuming vast amounts of energy .

[@4literv6]

This isn't a supercharged range rover review. 😀

[@_Ben4810]

🤡🤡🤡 OK Greta....

[@notagain2856]

Not sure why you are getting your knickers in a knot over a car you are not interested in. Bet you never owned a Lotus too

[@augnkn93043]

it's grey. it's an suv, it's ugly.

[@Autoexpress]

It's actually yellow.

[@augnkn93043]

@@Autoexpress Not inside it isn’t. It’s all grey.

[@SuperSaiyaGinge]

All lotus cars are basically Chinese now including the parts to make the models so avoid that brand at all costs.

[@_Ben4810]

All Lotus cars have ALWAYS depended heavily on other manufacturers parts bins....you need to do your Lotus assembly history homework son, from the Triumph Herald steering rack, Morris Marina door handles, GM & Peugeot switchgear to Austin Metro wing mirrors...

[@SuperSaiyaGinge]

@@_Ben4810 I worked in customs clearance for a freight company and Lotus were one of the customers. I would see their invoices and packing lists plus the country of origin stated on it. It’s essentially a Chinese car and there’s nothing British about it. It’s all a lie.

[@notagain2856]

​@@SuperSaiyaGingeLotus never denied the Eletre was developed by their new office and developed on their new track in Wuhan. The Eletre using parts from Zeekr and Lynk&Co is common knowledge too. So, tell me what is this lie you talking about?