Lexus CT 200h might be small, but it’s sweet
A start price just under $31,000 makes the CT 200h the lowest priced Lexus and it comes with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain. In other words, this classy sporty hatchback is a Lexus with a Toyota price tag and fuel economy numbers.
Lexus CT 200h is a remarkable product and a departure from what we normally expect from Lexus, as it’s both compact and a hatchback. Power comes from a small 1.8-litre gasoline engine or an electric motor or both. It’s basically the same hybrid powertrain that you’ll find under the hood of a Prius and it has a combined output of 134-horsepower.
That said, the CT 200h not only has a much sportier appearance than a Prius it’s built on a totally different body platform and offers distinctly better handling. It also comes with the luxury appointments that a Lexus buyer would expect and provides the driver with a choice of four operating modes, Normal, Sport, Eco and EV.
Gas power comes from a 1.8 litre Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder gas engine with variable valve timing and Lexus Hybrid Drive technology. Power output from a this type of gas engine is uniquely suited to a hybrid application.
The CT 200h also has two motors that can operate as both a motor and a generator. An engine-driven generator charges the battery pack and provides power to the drive motor. The drive motor uses power from the hybrid battery pack and generator to propel the front wheels. The hybrid battery pack is located under the rear cargo.
An optional Premium Package ($1,950) includes a driver’s seat memory system, leather seat surfaces, auto-dimming side view mirrors, auto-dimming rear view mirror with backup camera, rain sensing wipers and a ten speaker audio system. A Technology Package ($8,400) includes Premium and adds LED headlamps, headlamp washers, a navigation system and a backup camera.
While direct comple- tion is hard to identify, the Audi A3 TDI, winner of last year’s Green Car of the Year award, stands out. The CT 200h offers better fuel economy, uses gasoline (instead of diesel), so its CO2 emissions are 40 per cent lower. It’s exceptionally fuel efficient in urban driving situations and its combined (city/highway) rating is an incredible 4.6 L/100 km.
THE LOOKS
A nicely proportioned, compact package, the CT 200h is a sporty low centre of gravity design. The stan- dard LED daytime running lamps have arrow headshaped L-design cues and a blue “L” logo (used on hybrid models) is prominently located in the centre of its grille.
It’s possible to mistake the CT 200h for a Mazda3, from a rear view. The overall shape is similar, but the CT 200h does have more muscular rear wheel arches and a wraparound rear window.
THE DRIVE
The EV (Electric Vehicle) mode feature is great in slow or stop-n-go traffic or slow moving lineups. Silently appearing at a drive-in window can certainly produce some interesting reactions. Its maximum range as an electric car, however, is less than two kilometres and maximum speed is about 40 km/hour. The other modes of driving are Eco, Normal and Sport. While overall power available is about same, the way it’s delivered is what really separates these driving modes.