Lotus Elise S1: the best sports car of the last 25 years | PH25

The Porsche 911, Mazda MX-5 and Alpine all vied for the title, but it wasn’t even close. The S1 takes the PH25 sports car crown with a landslide victory.

Amassing more than 10,000 votes and nearly double the amount of the 997 Carrera in second place just goes to show what an exceptional car the original Lotus Elise is. Following founder Colin Chapman’s mantra of “simply, then add lightness” to a tee, the S1 proved that driving nirvana could be achieved with a light-but-stiff aluminium chassis and just 120hp from a Rover-sourced 1.8-litre engine. Mesmerising performance in the corners, a rorty motor and a relatively affordable price cemented it as a legend among enthusiasts and a deserving winner of our best sports car of the last 25 years vote. We’re just scratching the surface on the Series 1 story; we’ll let John take it from here.

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[chiltonengineering]

I have had mine for 21 years. As I hop in it today, the anticipation and thrill is the same as when I first got it. For twisty mountain roads and track days it could not be more fun.

[TheMrrigma]

Love the Elise, couldn’t agree more and am glad it’s recognised accordingly. Great video!

[marktickle]

A great day, if not the best conditions for using my car. Video and photos have turned out fantastic!

[johnnyboy]

I adored mine. Miss it daily. Wife and kids put pay to it sadly, but best car I’ve ever owned, bar none and I’ve had some lovely stuff that would get good PH kudos. But my Millenium Edition (only 50 ever built) was pure joy. Even with the vandals that decided to put a boot through the front clamshell….🙄 But that unique paint, the interior and the 111S wheels as standard, it not only drove spectacularly, it looked the mutts nuts as well. Was my pride and joy. I daily ran it as well, for my commute and cost no more than a boring old economy hatchback to run. But it was the times I did exactly what is happening in this video that made that car special. What a thing. I would love another one, but pricing prohibitive now sadly. But one day. Well done PH. The right choice viewers. Magical little thing

[patrickvanrinsvelt]

My Elise is an S2 and have never felt anything like this little car. She is raw, precise, nimble, and gorgeous. Topless too! No better sports car in the world for going around twisty roads in NZ.

[grossmeister]

Easy, deserved, logical. Best sports car ever made, not only the last 25 years. Affordable, easy to maintain, fast, endless fun.

[mgwaite]

I’ve had one for 18years, people sometimes ask would I sell it and what would I get, it’s unique in so many ways why would you part with it. Completely true about the driving experience, if you put the effort in to drive it well it really rewards by making you look really good, if you’re sloppy it really shows you up, it makes you work for it, I’m still learning, still clipping the rear wheel on curbs occasionally. Thanks PH I still recall the day of discovering PH when I was supposed to be doing work at Land Rover Solihull in 1998! Thanks for keeping the residuals up on the old girl, much appreciated!!

[Finkjam]

They still look stunning all these years later.

[CameraJosh]

As a 111R owner, I would urge anyone who is on the fence about an Elise to just buy one before it’s too late.

[alecspyrou]

Still have my 98 S1 Elise from 2002 so 21 years. Highly modified for track work but still road certified. Love it. Never goimg to get as good a feeling as this from another car so I'm keeping it forever.

[UnleashElise]

Love the video - Thanks so much. The Headgasked issue however was solved many years ago. Cant believe that myth still sticks around.

[harishue]

loved it .. thanks for the video .. i have mine and I'm still driven it.. 1999 - 2024 what a amazing car ..

[knutarneaakra]

I had a elise jubileum red white and gold. Number 49 some years ago. Great car. Used it for commuting to my job every day of thee year. 140 km pr day. No problem in wintertime on snowy icey roads. No seat heating and almost no heat in the coupe but still quite fun. Swapped it for a citroen c6. Still miss my tiny car.

[loftybadger]

Great review ! it is a truly great car. I am lucky enough to own a s1 sport 135 and love it, it brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.

[rrk]

absolute belter of a car. I've been smitten since my first drive 20 odd years ago. I challenge it to not put a huge smile on your face

[betacam]

Nice review. My 1999 S1 111S has been snoozing since 2014 and this has fired my enthusiasm to haul it out and give it a light restoration....it's the best car I've owned all round. Mine still has the proper 111S wheels and radiator grill though it's been tuned by Dave Andrews to over 200bhp.

[sergeantsqueaker]

Excellent review and love the enthusiasm of the presenter. Wonderful car.

[elliottharley]

Picking up my 'new' S1 today, so excited!!

[hensh]

Great, evocative language. Fantastic presentation! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[turnamere]

Great video, it captured the essence of this iconic car and the videography captured the timeless elegance of the design. If you want to understand feedback and involvement the Elise is a great way to find out. I'll have had mine for 20 years this may and I have absolutely no intention to sell it any time soon.