2023 Lotus Eletre S Review

At present, the choice of luxury electric vehicles in the Malaysian market is increasing, but models that can simultaneously balance performance, space, and brand heritage are rare. As a traditional sports car brand, the debut of Lotus's first all-electric SUV, the Eletre S, has been highly anticipated—it carries the brand's signature sporty DNA while also needing to meet the space and practicality demands of family users. In this test drive, we focus on two key questions: How does Lotus retain driving pleasure in an SUV form? And as a luxury electric vehicle, does it meet daily practicality standards?

The exterior design of the Eletre S makes it immediately clear that it carries Lotus's sporty imprint. The front adopts a split-headlight design, with slim LED daytime running lights on top combined with a large lower grille, providing a highly distinctive appearance. The side profile features sleek lines, with the roofline sloping slightly after the B-pillar, giving it a coupe-style SUV stance. The 22-inch large wheels further enhance the sporty feel. The rear features eye-catching full-width LED taillights, with the illuminated "LOTUS" badge at the center, offering excellent nighttime recognition. The overall design avoids excessive lines, remaining simple yet powerful, aligning well with its performance SUV positioning.

Upon entering the cabin, the first impression is the sense of quality in the interior. The dashboard is wrapped in a large amount of soft-touch materials, complemented by metallic trims for a luxurious feel. The 15.1-inch central touchscreen is the core of the interior, featuring a clean interface and smooth operation. Some commonly used physical buttons, such as air conditioning controls, are retained below the screen, making blind operation very convenient. A standard HUD head-up display shows information such as speed and navigation, reducing the driver's need to look down at the instrument panel. The seats are leather-wrapped, and the front seats support 8-way electric adjustment, offering good support and comfort for extended periods of driving. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split, allowing the trunk capacity to expand from 688L to 1532L, which is spacious enough for large suitcases or baby strollers.

In terms of space, the Eletre S has a wheelbase of 3019mm, providing ample rear legroom. A 175cm passenger seated in the rear has more than two fists' worth of space between their knees and the front seatback. The rear also comes equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB ports, maximizing practicality. There is plenty of storage space as well; the front central armrest box is very roomy, and the door panel storage compartments can accommodate large bottles, making daily use perfectly convenient.

One of the core highlights of the Eletre S is its power performance. It is equipped with dual permanent magnet synchronous motors at the front and rear, delivering a combined maximum power of 611PS and peak torque of 710N·m, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. In actual driving, the power response during the initial phase is very immediate—a light press on the accelerator results in a strong push-back sensation. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is equally robust, and overtaking only requires a deep press on the pedal for instant power delivery, providing great confidence. There are multiple driving modes to choose from, and switching to Sport mode makes the throttle response sharper and the steering wheel heavier, further intensifying the sporty atmosphere.

In terms of handling, the Eletre S performs beyond expectations for an SUV. The steering is precise with minimal play, and the body remains very stable during cornering, with excellent control over body roll—almost resembling the feeling of driving a sports sedan. The chassis uses front and rear multi-link independent suspension, which is on the stiffer side but not uncomfortable—bumps and road irregularities are quickly absorbed by the suspension, minimizing excessive bouncing. When driving at high speeds, the chassis feels very solid and offers a strong sense of safety.

As for the range, although the official NEDC range data has not been provided, we conducted a real-world test in a mix of urban and highway conditions, and the average energy consumption was about 22kWh per 100 kilometers. Based on a common 100kWh battery capacity, the estimated range is around 450km, which is more than enough for daily commuting or short weekend trips. In terms of charging, it supports fast charging and can charge from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes, offering decent convenience.

In terms of ride comfort, the performance of the Eletre S is also commendable. The cabin's sound insulation is excellent, with wind and tire noise well controlled at high speeds, ensuring it doesn't affect conversations among passengers. The seats provide great support and wrapping, so long journeys won't feel tiring. The energy recovery system offers adjustable levels, and at the lowest level, the drag effect is nearly unnoticeable, providing a driving experience similar to a traditional fuel car; at the highest level, releasing the accelerator pedal results in a strong deceleration effect, reducing the frequency of brake usage.

Overall, the Eletre S boasts clear core advantages: powerful performance, excellent handling, spacious interior, and a decent sense of luxury. Compared to peers like the BMW iX or Audi e-tron, it offers superior acceleration performance, sportier handling, and comparable space and practicality.

This car is suitable for two types of users: one is those who enjoy driving, seek performance, but also need to accommodate family usage. It fulfills the practicality needs of daily commuting while offering driving fun on weekends; the other is those who value branding and want a luxury electric vehicle with personality and a sense of uniqueness. The Lotus brand DNA itself is very appealing.

In summary, the Eletre S is a "versatile" performance luxury SUV that retains Lotus's sporty heritage while meeting SUV users' needs for space and practicality, making it a highly competitive option in the luxury electric vehicle market.