Car Statistics: Lotus - Evora Series (5 stars)

Styling (5 stars)

It's remarkable that Lotus has managed to make this 2+2 look as athletic as any two-seater. The pinched waistline, wide, aggressive rear haunches and Elise-like rear-end treatment make the Evora unmistakable on the road.

Handling (4 stars)

Toyota's 3.5-litre V6 is rev-happy and comes to life above 5,000rpm. The performance figures - 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, 162mph top speed - tell their own tale. Yet on the road, the Evora lacks the mid-range urge of rivals with turbos or superchargers: there's definitely room for a faster model.

Comfort (5 stars)

Frankly, when you're pushing on, the Evora behaves like a big Elise - and that's meant as a huge compliment. It is an astonishingly well set-up sports car that's totally adjustable and easy to control on the limit.

Quality (4 stars)

Lotus has taken a big step forward when it comes to refinement and cabin comfort. You could easily drive this car two-up on a jaunt to the south of France. Rear seat passengers would have to be less than five feet tall to come with you, though.

Performance (3 stars)

Lotus does not have the best reputation for reliability. The 'quirks' that Elise owners might forgive will not be so easily overlooked by customers who may have chosen an Evora over a 911 as a daily driver. To be fair, though, the interior and fit and finish of the Evora is better than anything Hethel has ever offered before.

Roominess (4 stars)

The rear seats aren't really usable - it's a 2+2, not a four-seater, after all - and they're more likely to end up as extra luggage space most of the time. A driver of 6'8 can fit comfortably in the front, however.

Costs (4 stars)

Impressive fuel consumption of 32.5mpg is possible because the Evora is relatively light. It's also easier to repair if you crash because ? unlike an Elise - the Evora's panels and sub-frames can be unbolted and replaced separately if damaged.

Value (3 stars)

At close to £60k for a properly specified model, the Evora is an expensive proposition. It should be built in low enough volumes and be exclusive enough to appeal to the few hundred UK owners Lotus wants, though.

Stereo (2 stars)

The Alpine multimedia has been well integrated into the dashboard. But, as ever with aftermarket-style systems, it's not intuitive to use and - with not even a Lotus logo in sight and different switchgear - it doesn't tie in with the rest of the car. It's not a patch on the multimedia system a premium saloon half the price of the Evora would offer.