I drove a Tesla Model S for nine years, and have now been driving a Lotus Eletre S for nine days. While comparing a 2014 car to a 2023 car isn’t very fair, there are still some parallels that can’t be ignored. (Yet, despite moving on, let it be known I have many pleasant memories associated with Tesla!)
The Lotus is a very beautiful car, and I rarely find cars visually appealing – when I do, I want to buy them, ,like in 2008 when I bought the newly-releasedBMW X6. That being said, I didn’t choose the Tesla Model S for its looks, but rather for the revolution it made in car manufacturing. I think many would agree that it’s hard to call the Model S’s design beautiful – it’s more something reminiscent of the Mazda 6l. The fact that Teslas’ design has remained broadly the same for nine years now is, in my opinion, a shame.
Unlike many vehicles from China (yes, the Lotus was also assembled in China, but designed in Norfolk, UK), the Lotus drives very well, as does the Tesla Model S, no complaints here. However, when it comes to the racing track, you notice a significant difference between a car designed for racing like the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S. The Tesla can’t handle sharp turns, accelerations, or braking as effectively. I’ve taken the Tesla, Taycan, and Lotus Eletre all out on the racetrack. Although the Lotus is an SUV, its driving experience is closer to that of the Taycan than the Tesla.
The Lotus grips the road very well, despite its significant weight (2520 kg). Its stability at high speeds pleasantly surprised me, and the retractable spoiler isn’t just for show – it really works. At low speeds, it’s easy to maneuver, and the turning radius seems smaller than that of some smaller sedans.
Everyone keeps asking me about the 0-100 km/h acceleration. It’s really not that important! I chose the less powerful Lotus Eletre S (603 hp) instead of the top-of-the-line R (905 hp) because the S version offers over 100 km more range, even with relaxed driving. And that’s what matters! The 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h is also fine for me; my Tesla had the same.
You don’t need the Tesla Plaid’s performance – and the reasons why are very well explained by Academeg in his review (spoiler – you accelerate for fun once, and that’s it). The Lotus’ build quality, sound insulation, and ride comfort – simply wow, on par with an S-class.The level of Tesla’s assembly quality however, leaves something to be desired, and it’s a bit noisy too.
When I sat in the driver’s seat and started adjusting it to my liking, I was almost moved to tears. Everything inside is comfortable, stylish, and cool. While I always found it difficult to get used to Tesla’s “minimalism” and uncomfortable seats… in a Lotus, everything has the feel and quality of the top-of-the-line Porsche and BMW models, and in some areas, it’s even better. Take, for example, the sound that the 23-speaker audio system produces – it’s just incredible.
The drawbacks of the Lotus Eletre car are all related to its software. The autopilot isn’t perfect; it works well on highways but struggles on narrow, winding streets. The interface of the onboard system is beautiful, but not everything is logical and convenient. Maybe I’m just not used to it yet – although, it’s not the ugliest onboard system ever – that accolade belongs to the Lamborghini (although the cars themselves are fantastic) and it’s interesting that theLotus Eletre is often compared to the Lamborghini Urus. They have similarities in terms of driving experience and aesthetic (although the Lotus is more beautiful), but in terms of price, the Lotus is almost half the price of the Urus. Plus, it’s electric, which is important to me.
The Lotus’ battery can go an honest 500 km (they promised 600 km, but it’s not quite there). Tesla, plus or minus, offers the same 450-500 km.
That’s about it. About five years ago, I did a subjective review of sports cars I had driven, and the leader turned out to be the McLaren 720S. Supercars are a whole different story, but I can’t disagree with GQ, which named the Lotus Eletre the best SUV of 2023.