Lotus Elise vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lotus Elise and Mazda MX-5 Miata contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lotus Elise and the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
In comparing the Lotus Elise's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the Lotus Elise has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Lotus Elise's and the Mazda MX-5 Miata's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lotus Elise’s base engine makes 189 horsepower, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata base engine makes 167 horsepower. The Elise is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 311 miles. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 miles. This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Lotus Elise. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
51845
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23110
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
27378
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
22145 - 38200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
0
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
14294
Price Range:
9046 - 19925
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
15962
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
13896 - 19308
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
16
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58424
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Lotus Elise Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lotus Elise
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5796994290162847
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.205764275343592
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.2 - 4.6
Lotus Elise Rankings
Not yet available
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lotus Elise Trim Levels
Base, SC
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
Grand Touring, Special Edition, Sport, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
2 years
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
189 hp @ 7800 rpm
Torque:
133 foot-lbs @ 6800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.094 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
167 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
140 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
242 / 311 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
279 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
Not yet available
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
5.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2010 lbs
Width:
72.8 inches
Height:
44 inches
Length:
149 inches
Wheelbase:
90.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2480 lbs
Width:
67.7 inches
Height:
49 inches
Length:
157.3 inches
Wheelbase:
91.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/50R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black / Starlight Black
Blue
Aquamarine / Laser Blue / Liquid Blue / Persian Blue
Gray
Carbon Gray / Graphite Gray / Quartz Silver / Storm Titanium
Green
British Racing Green / Isotope Green
Orange
Burnt Orange / Chrome Orange
Red
Ardent Red / Canyon Red
Silver
Arctic Silver
White
Aspen White / Ice White
Yellow
Solar Yellow
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Clearcoat
Blue
Stormy Blue Mica
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Copper Red Mica / True Red
Silver
Liquid Silver Metallic
White
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Biscuit / Creme
Black
Black
Red
Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Red
Not available
