2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

Name: 2020 Lotus Evora GT Review
Brand: Lotus
Price: 59023 USD

+12

The Lotus Evora GT is fantastic to drive on a racetrack or your favorite twisty road. It's also rare, which has its own appeal. But you have to put up with lots of drawbacks, including poor visibility, subpar in-car tech, a lack of available driver aids and hit-and-miss build quality. Overall, there are better sports cars at this price and class, but the Lotus has a charm that you can't find elsewhere.

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2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Excellent handling and steering feel
Available manual transmission
Low sales ensure exclusivity

Cons

Poor rearward visibility
Cargo and rear passenger space is tiny
Infotainment system looks like an aftermarket add-on
Limited dealer and service network

What's new

The Evora GT replaces the outgoing Evora Sport 410 and Evora 400
Output increases slightly to 416 horsepower
Part of the first Evora generation introduced for 2010

Overview

For better and for worse, the 2020 Lotus Evora GT is stuck in time. While rivals such as the Porsche 911 have moved away from their pure sports-car roots and offer the latest conveniences such as adaptive cruise control and in-car Wi-Fi, the Evora keeps going with its driver-focused, no-frills design. Sure, the Evora GT is arguably the nicest and most well-appointed vehicle Lotus has ever built. But compared to other cars in this class, the Evora is flying in coach while everybody else has upgraded to first class.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$264/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

On the upside, the Evora's lightweight and nimble handling and Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-liter V6 make it one of the best-driving cars on the market. Lotus also still offers the Evora GT with a manual transmission, which is an increasingly rare feature these days. Few cars are this engaging to drive. But given its lack of utility, features and comfort, we can't recommend the Evora GT to anyone except the most dedicated sports-car purists. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full analysis of the Evora GT's performance, comfort and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

9.0/10

How does the Evora GT drive? It should be no surprise that the driving experience is the Evora GT's highlight. The mid-mounted Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 is fitted with an Edelbrock supercharger and makes 416 horsepower. The engine is a peach. Power comes on smoothly and evenly, with no lag or hesitation when you nail the gas. Our test car had the manual transmission. We do wish first and second gears were a bit shorter for improved acceleration. The clutch and shifter do feel good, with a nice catch point for the clutch and precise gear changes.

In our testing of a manual-equipped car, the Evora GT hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and Lotus says the dual-clutch is even quicker. That's quick but slower than the rival Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (3.8 seconds) or Chevrolet Corvette (3.6 seconds).

It's not all about power, especially when it comes to a Lotus. The steering is fantastic, with lots of feedback coming through the wheel. There's a decent amount of heft to the steering, but it's quick and makes the Evora GT feel light and nimble. The suspension is tuned for performance, but it's not punishing and it handles curves and midcorner bumps with grace. Braking is equally impressive. Our test car stopped from 60 mph in a short 101 feet.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Evora GT? You'll never forget the Evora GT is a sports car, but it's not as punishing as you might expect. The lightweight Sparco carbon-fiber seats don't offer much adjustment, but they're well shaped for most people and offer enough padding to keep you comfortable after a long day behind the wheel. They're heated too and breathe pretty well, even in warm weather. That's good because the manual climate control can struggle to keep the car cool on warm days. The air conditioning also shuts off temporarily if you're driving particularly hard.

The ride quality is stiff, but the fixed suspension balances performance and comfort quite well. You feel the road, but you're not darting all over just to avoid potholes or other imperfections. It settles down fairly well on the highway too. There is a bit of wind and road noise, but most sounds can be silenced with this engine's wonderful exhaust note. You hear plenty of supercharger whine and mechanical clicking too, though those aren't complaints.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the Evora GT requires a bit of finessing. The doors are long and wide, the opening is small, and the seat and footwell make swinging your feet in a squeeze. The interior is a bit tight, though a mostly useless back seat does help open up the cabin. The driving position would be close to perfect if the seat were a bit lower. The steering wheel, shifter and pedals all feel right where you want them. Most buttons are easy to see and push.

Seeing out of the Evora GT is a much bigger challenge. Forward visibility is pretty good given the low front end and forward cabin, but visibility out of the side and rear is a joke. The driver's side mirror doesn't offer enough adjustment, and the rearview mirror is better at showing what the engine looks like than anything outside of the car. Our test vehicle's optional carbon pack uses a louvered panel instead of a rear window. It's like looking through a mail slot that's slightly vibrating as you go down the road.

Technology

5.5/10

How’s the tech? Tech is not Lotus' strong suit. The Alpine head unit looks and feels like it was pulled from the shelf of an aftermarket stereo shop. It has a touchscreen display with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, but the USB cable runs through the glovebox and just kind of droops down like an afterthought. It has Bluetooth connectivity, too, if you want to avoid cables. That said, the audio system is pretty good, and we suggest opting for the subwoofer and amplifier if you're not concerned about the extra weight.

The Evora GT lacks voice controls or driver aids beyond parking sensors. Features such as adaptive cruise control or blind-spot monitoring aren't available.

Storage

6.0/10

How’s the storage? It takes only a minute to realize that the Evora GT is about driving first and everything else second. There's a lack of storage both inside and out. The door pockets are tiny, and there's no real place to put your phone or sunglasses outside of the glovebox. The sole cupholder is small and located behind your elbow, so it's a game of Twister to reach it.

The rear trunk is equally lacking, offering just 6 cubic feet of cargo space. The trunk is wide but shallow, and if you opt for the carbon-fiber package, it requires a prop rod to stay up. Unlike some other mid-engine cars like the Porsche Cayman or Chevrolet Corvette, the Evora doesn't have a front trunk. There is a tiny back seat, and you can use that as an additional storage area.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Evora GT gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined. We got 23.8 mpg from our test car on our real-world evaluation route. That's as good as or better than most sports cars in this range.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Evora GT a good value? The Evora GT is a hand-built machine, but that's not always a good thing, especially in Lotus' case. There are uneven panel gaps inside the car where parts don't fit together like they should. While there's lots of nice leather and Alcantara covering most surfaces inside the car, places that aren't covered feel like they've been poached from an economy car, not a six-figure sports car.

Evora GTs start around $100,000, and ours was loaded with a handful of options that brought the total to $116,000. Those options include $5,900 for its striking Daytona Blue paint, $10,000 for the lightweight carbon pack, and $500 for a subwoofer and amplifier.

Another factor in Lotus ownership is the scarcity of dealer support and short warranty coverage.

Wildcard

10.0/10

Even around Edmunds' home base in Southern California, you don't see many cars from Lotus running around. The design alone grabs attention, much less this V6's excellent exhaust note. It's not fake or piped in. There's just precious little sound deadening between you and the engine. V6-powered Toyotas (the engine's manufacturer) wish they sounded this good. It looks and feels exotic, even if it's not actually as rare as a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

And the driving experience is killer. It may not be perfect, but it's endlessly entertaining on a good road or on a track. It's difficult not to grin when you crack off a shift at 7,000 rpm in this car.

Which Evora GT does Edmunds recommend?

The Evora GT only comes in a single trim, so picking the right one really comes down to your choice of transmission and options.

2020 Lotus Evora GT models

The 2020 Lotus Evora GT is offered in a single trim that's powered by a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 416 horsepower. Torque varies based on the choice of transmission, with the standard six-speed manual transmission sending 317 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels and the optional six-speed automatic upping it slightly to 332 lb-ft. There's seating for two, though Lotus offers a small rear seat as a no-cost option.

Standard features include:

Xenon headlights
Sparco sport seats trimmed in leather and faux suede
Faux suede trim on the dash, doors, center console and steering wheel
Rear parking sensors
Backup camera
7-inch screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Performance features on the Evora GT include:

Limited-slip differential to help manage traction (only available with the manual transmission)
AP Racing brakes with four-piston calipers and two-piece cross-drilled rotors
Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers
Driver-adjustable stability control
Active exhaust

Notable options include:

Lightweight titanium exhaust system
Six-speed automatic transmission
Partial carbon-fiber bodywork to help reduce weight
Lightweight forged-aluminum wheels
Adjustable suspension
Subwoofer and amplifier

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Lotus Evora GT.

5 (100%)

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2 (0%)

1 (0%)

5.0

5 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Roger Moore tribute car

Steve the car guy, 07/21/2020

2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+0 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M)

the new lotus gt is even better than the Evora 400. The car is more planted due to aero, it has an increase in power also. Dependable due to the 3.5 v6 Toyota engine. I also own a Porsche 911 and the lotus outperforms the Porsche all day long especially on twisty mountain roads. This car is a pure enthusiast drivers' car. Performance and superb handling, outperforms anything on the …

Leave the drivers to drive.

Dr. G., 11/24/2020

2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M)

Not for anyone except the faithful drivers of the world. However, best if you have other prized cars to switch-off with when not in the mood. In this context it is perfect.

2020 Lotus Evora GT

Brian, 03/24/2021

2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M)

Love the car. A blast to drive. A true drivers car.

The last true analog sports car

Butch , 01/21/2022

2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+0 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M)

Amazing car superior handling and performance than my Porsche 911.,the last handmade car from lotus Incredible on the street and track. Drove a Cayman gt4 to compare the Porsche doesn't even come close and after dealer markup the Porsche is $148k more expensive. After 4 years of ownership no problems, just a great street and track car for the driving enthusiast. The car attracts …

See all 5 reviews of the Lotus Evora GT

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2020 Evora GT Highlights

Trim:

2+0

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$96,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$264/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	6.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Evora GT models:

Reversing Camera: Aids in backing up by automatically turning on a video feed from a camera mounted at the rear of the car when shifted into reverse.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program): Helps stabilize the car by automatically adjusting power to the rear wheels, managing traction and lowering the chance of spinning out.
Rear Parking Sensor: Alerts you to obstacles that might not be visible behind the vehicle when backing up.

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2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Evora GT does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Lotus Evora GT models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Lotus Evora GT.

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Roger Moore tribute car

Leave the drivers to drive.

2020 Lotus Evora GT

The last true analog sports car

2020 Evora GT Highlights

Safety

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2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

2020 Lotus Evora GT Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Evora GT does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Lotus Evora GT models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Roger Moore tribute car

Leave the drivers to drive.

2020 Lotus Evora GT

The last true analog sports car

2020 Evora GT Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Lotus Evora GT info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lotus Evora GT 2+2 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}