Photo: Lotus Emira by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Lotus · model year 2026
2026 Lotus Emira
Two Seaters · Rear-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Two Seaters
Where it places
Against gas and hybrid cars by fuel cost
The CarCody take
The 2026 Lotus Emira is a gasoline-powered car classified by the EPA as a Two Seater. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder sends power through an eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels. The key running figure is 21 MPG combined, with 18 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $3,200, and tailpipe CO2 is 418 grams per mile.
Good to know
- Rear-wheel drive with a turbocharged 2.0 L four-cylinder
- Automatic eight-speed transmission
- 26 MPG highway EPA rating
- Two-seat car layout
Watch for
- 18 MPG city EPA rating
- 21 MPG combined fuel economy
- $3,200 EPA annual fuel cost
- 418 grams of tailpipe CO2 per mile
Who it suits. Drivers seeking a gasoline rear-wheel-drive two-seater Owners whose routes include highway travel
The 2026 Emira fits a narrow use case. It is a two-seat gasoline car with rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Plan around 21 MPG for mixed driving and an EPA fuel budget of $3,200 per year. Its 18 MPG city figure may matter most in urban routines, while 26 MPG highway helps on longer trips. Pick it when those running costs and the two-seat format are acceptable; look elsewhere when you need more seats or lower fuel spending.
What it is
The 2026 Lotus Emira is a car in the EPA Two Seaters class. See the wider Lotus cars lineup.
The numbers
Its defining EPA figure is 21 MPG combined. That blends an 18 MPG city rating with 26 MPG on the highway.
The spread matters if your driving changes by route. City trips use more fuel per mile than highway trips under these ratings.
What it costs to run
EPA estimates yearly fuel cost at $3,200. That is the listed annual gasoline expense for this model, not a purchase price.
Tailpipe CO2 is 418 grams per mile.
How it compares
The Emira's own ratings run from 18 MPG in city driving to 26 MPG on the highway, a difference of 8 MPG. Its 21 MPG combined number is the middle figure to use when your driving mixes both conditions.
No other vehicle figures are provided here, so a direct model-to-model comparison would go beyond the available facts.
Who it suits
This car suits a buyer who wants a gasoline two-seater with rear-wheel drive and accepts a 21 MPG combined rating.
It makes the most sense for driving that can accommodate its two-seat EPA class and the higher fuel use reflected in the annual estimate.
Trade-offs
The 2.0 L turbo four-cylinder and rear-wheel-drive layout define the drivetrain, while the automatic eight-speed transmission handles shifting.
Fuel use is higher in the city rating than on the highway, and the $3,200 annual estimate gives that difference a practical budget impact.
Verdict
Choose the 2026 Emira if a two-seat layout and rear-driven gasoline powertrain fit your plans. Budget around $3,200 a year for fuel under the EPA estimate, with 21 MPG as the everyday reference point. Highway travel is rated at 26 MPG, while city use falls to 18 MPG. The result is a narrowly focused car: its numbers suit buyers willing to trade fuel economy and passenger capacity for this specific drivetrain and body class.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 21 MPG
- City MPG
- 18 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 418 g per mile
- Model year
- 2026
- Body
- Car
- EPA size class
- Two Seaters
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2026 Lotus Emira's combined MPG?
The EPA combined rating is 21 MPG.
How does its city MPG compare with highway MPG?
It is rated at 18 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway.
What is the Emira's annual fuel cost?
The EPA annual fuel cost is $3,200.
Is the 2026 Emira front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive?
It is rear-wheel drive.
How many seats does the EPA class indicate?
The EPA class is Two Seaters.
What fuel does the Emira use?
It uses gasoline.
What is its tailpipe CO2 figure?
Tailpipe CO2 is 418 grams per mile.
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