Porsche 911 vs Lotus Emira
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Porsche 911 starts from $248,400 before on-road costs, while the Lotus Emira opens at $207,990. That makes the Lotus Emira the more affordable entry point by $40,410.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $273,240 and $228,789 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lotus Emira by roughly $3,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Lotus Emira counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio that the Porsche 911 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Porsche 911 uses a Petrol producing 290kW and 450Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed pdk to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds.
The Lotus Emira responds with a Turbo petrol making 268kW and 430Nm, paired to a 8-speed dual clutch driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.
The Porsche 911 has the clear power advantage at 290kW vs 268kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Porsche 911 measures 4,533mm long on a 2,450mm wheelbase, 120mm longer than the Lotus Emira at 4,413mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lotus Emira generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 132L in the Porsche 911 and 390L in the Lotus Emira, giving the Lotus Emira a 258L advantage.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,164/year for the Porsche 911 and $2,480/year for the Lotus Emira. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Lotus Emira.
Estimated annual total: $3,164 (Porsche 911) vs $2,480 (Lotus Emira). The Lotus Emira saves you roughly $684 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 999,999km (Porsche 911) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Lotus Emira). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Porsche 911 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Porsche's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lotus Emira if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Lotus Emira takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Lotus Emira will save you roughly $684 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lotus Emira has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Porsche 911 and Lotus Emira?
The Lotus Emira is the cheapest at $207,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Porsche 911 by $40,410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lotus Emira uses the least fuel at 8.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Porsche 911 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Emira has the largest boot at 390L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Porsche 911 makes the most power at 290kW.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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