Compare the2026 Ferrari 296VS 2026 Lotus Emira

The 296’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

The 296 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Emira only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 296 and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The 296 comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emira’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The 296 comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years unlimited miles. Ferrari will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Ferrari pays for scheduled maintenance on the 296 for 7 years and unlimited miles. Ferrari will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lotus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Emira.

The 296’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 419 more horsepower (819 vs. 400) and 236 lbs.-ft. more torque (546 vs. 310) than the Emira’s optional 3.5 supercharged V6. The 296’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 419 more horsepower (819 vs. 400) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (546 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 296 Speciale’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 468 more horsepower (868 vs. 400) and 203 lbs.-ft. more torque (557 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ferrari 296 3.0 is faster than the Lotus Emira turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 296 GTB running on electricity gets better mileage than the Emira:

The 296 can travel with zero emissions for 7 to 8 miles (dependent on model). The Emira can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 296’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Emira doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 296’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Emira doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 296 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (17.2 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Ferrari 296, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

For better stopping power the 296’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

The 296 has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Emira doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 296 stops much shorter than the Emira:

For better traction and acceleration, the 296 has larger rear tires than the Emira (305/35R20 vs. 295/30R20).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional on the 296 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Emira doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 296 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 296 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 296 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Emira.

The 296 GTB handles at 1.12 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 296 Assetto Fiorano GTB executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Emira (21.7 seconds @ 1.04 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .84 average G’s).

The 296’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Emira doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The 296 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (61 vs. 49).

The 296 GTB has a larger trunk than the Emira (6 vs. 5.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 296. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the 296 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 296’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Emira does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 296 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Emira doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 296 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Emira doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 296’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Emira doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The 296 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access too more content and better coverage than the Emira, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the 296 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Emira.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the 296 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Emira, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Ferrari 296 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ferrari 296 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Emira doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Ferrari 296 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lotus Emira isn’t available as a convertible.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Ferrari 296 retains 76.29% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 70.85% resale value of the 2026 Lotus Emira after five years, which can save the Ferrari’s owner.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the Ferrari 296 Assetto Fiorano GTB higher than the Lotus Emira.