Pros and cons
Caterham Cars Project V pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2027)
3 min read·Last updated: 2027-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 4 cons. The Caterham Cars Project V is best for uk enthusiasts wanting affordable lightweight electric gt in the lotus elise spirit — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Every EV is a set of trade-offs. The Caterham Cars Project V's 400 km range and Caterham Cars's segment position are the headlines — but the 4 pros and 4 cons below are what actually drive customer satisfaction one year in. This is a structured look at both columns.
Caterham Cars Project V — the pros
The Caterham Cars Project V has earned its strongest praise for these reasons. Strength 1 — 1,190 kg curb weight class-leading. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — GBP 80,000 target undercuts Porsche Taycan. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — Caterham heritage applied to GT format. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — 152 kW DC charging usable. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 55 kWh battery, 400 km range, and a GBP 80,000 (UK target pricing) starting price that defines the Caterham Cars Project V's value envelope.
Caterham Cars Project V — the cons
On the other side, the Caterham Cars Project V has these honest weaknesses you should price in. Weakness 1 — Not yet in production. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — 2+2 seating tight rear. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Caterham EV credibility unproven. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 4 — Not sold globally. On the Caterham Cars Project V specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a electric gt coupé weighing 1190 kg with 230 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Caterham Cars Project V is for
Caterham Cars pitches the Caterham Cars Project V at "UK enthusiasts wanting affordable lightweight electric GT in the Lotus Elise spirit", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 400 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 15-80% in 15 min (152 kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
If the cons all touch one part of your week (long highway runs, say, or boot space) — that's the dealbreaker. If they touch unrelated edges, the Caterham Cars Project V is probably the right buy.
Related Caterham Cars EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at ariel e nomad, watt ecc coupe, lotus emeya — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Caterham Cars Project V wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the biggest reason to choose the Caterham Cars Project V?
- Pick the pro in the list above that most matches your weekly use. If it's range, value, charging speed, or feature set — whichever sits at the top for you — that's the buy signal.
- Can the cons be fixed with aftermarket changes?
- A few — wheels, tyres, interior comforts, dashcam, charging cables. Most cons in the list above are structural and not modifiable after purchase, so buy with eyes open.
- Does Caterham Cars address the cons in newer models?
- Some, not all. Caterham Cars has improved the Caterham Cars Project V platform with each refresh — software updates close a few cons, hardware refresh cycles close more. But fundamental layout decisions (boot space, seating, charge port placement) are baked in for the life of the model.
- Is the Caterham Cars Project V worth buying overall?
- For uk enthusiasts wanting affordable lightweight electric gt in the lotus elise spirit, yes. The Caterham Cars Project V's pros pay back week after week for that use case. For substantially different needs, you'll find better fits in other models.
In short: uk enthusiasts wanting affordable lightweight electric gt in the lotus elise spirit is where the Caterham Cars Project V shines. The cons matter, but they matter less every month as software and parts mature.