Lotus Elan MPG by year — every rating on record
The Lotus Elan has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1991 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (1991) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (1993). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | #4 of 33 (91th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
| 1992 | 1 | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | #2 of 30 (97th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
| 1993 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #4 of 29 (89th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lotus Elan placed highest in 1992 at #2 of 30, and lowest in 1991 at #4 of 33. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | ELAN TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1992 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | ELAN TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1991 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | ELAN TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 → 1993 | 24 → 23 mpg | -1 mpg | 500 gal |
What Elan fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Lotus Elan burns 500 to 500 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $1,750 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,000 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $3,350 to $3,350 a year in fuel, or $5,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Two Seaters
Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 23 mpg the Lotus Elan is 5 mpg better the median, which is worth about $486 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Lotus nameplates
Every Lotus model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.