A posh hybrid, but where’s the plug?
Petrol-electric Lexus CT200h no longer an eco-leader. But it still feels special, writes David Linklater.
The problem for the Lexus CT200h has always been that’s it’s a little too close to the Toyota Prius for comfort: essentially the same petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, same platform.
That hasn’t been such a big problem until now. The current entry price of the CT200h is actually $3300 lower than the top specification Prius ZR, so you can’t argue you’re not getting value-for-money.
And for a long time, the CT200h was unique in its segment in offering an eco-conscious electrified powertrain.
But things have changed. The CT200h is still on the Prius platform, but it’s the previous generation. The latest Prius is built around Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), so it’s now one step ahead. Perhaps several.
More to the point, if you want a pint-sized premium-brand hatchback with electrically themed power, there are now many more options. All of them more technologically sophisticated than the littlest Lexus.
There’s the Audi A3 e-tron, a proper plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Or a whole lot of stuff from BMW, like the 225xe and Mini Cooper S E Countryman (both PHEVs with all-wheel drive) or the forward-looking i3, available with pure-electric or range-extender power.
After some big price reductions and model rationalisation in recent years, the CT still looks good on a value-for-money basis.
At $51,690 the entry-level CT is substantially cheaper than all of the above, yet it boasts almost the same equipment level as the nowdefunct $70k Limited model of a few years ago; all that’s missing is the Mark Levinson audio.
But for a brand that hangs so much on its hybrid credentials, the CT is looking a little uncomfortable amongst its electrified rivals: it doesn’t have a plug and it doesn’t have lithiumion batteries. Perhaps that’s the reason Lexus marketing material refers to the CT as an ‘‘exclusively electric hybrid’’. Which you could read a number of ways, not all of them technically accurate.
In the absence of a properly electric powertrain, the way forward is to Lexus-up the CT200h a bit more: more substantial styling to align it with the brand’s truly expensive offerings, more luxury inside that compact cabin.
There’s the new Lexus ‘‘spindle’’ grille, wider LED taillights, an extended spoiler on the rear hatch and some new colour choices, including two-tone options.
The CT now has the so-called Lexus Safety System Plus (you might also know it as Toyota Safety System), which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking for vehicles and pedestrians, High Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert with steering assist, and a Vehicle Sway Warning system.
Distinctively plush interiors have always been a Lexus thing and this is where the new CT has stepped up - with more inspiration from the larger models, of course. The dashboard is dominated by a new 10.3-inch screen and there are new interior colours.
The CT has a very specific and very narrow set of talents. But when it’s good, it’s really good.
Hybrid power and that gorgeous interior mean the CT still offers an incredibly luxurious small-car experience in city driving.
It looks, feels and smells like a true Lexus inside and while the car can’t travel on electric power alone for anything but very short distances, the Lexus/Toyota hybrid system is expert at seamlessly switching between its two power sources (or combining them) in heavy traffic. If you’re travelling at under 30kmh, you’re going to be on silent battery power for a lot of the time.
The CT is actually quite roomy as well, although the initial impression is of a tight cabin due to the cockpit-style high centre console. There’s adult-sized rear seat space and the headroom is impressive thanks to the CT’s squared-off roofline.
The boot is acceptably spacious on paper at 375 litres, although it’s extremely shallow thanks to the batteries mounted beneath.
If the CT feels like a true Lexus, that means you also get Lexus foibles. The wide screen is cool, but the system insists on locking you out of a lot of stuff once you’re moving - like the sat-nav destination menu for example, which means that not even the front passenger can select a location. It’s hard to do anyway because the screen is navigated via a joystick thingy, which is quite frustrating until you really get the hang of it. Some never do.
Away from low-speed city environments, the CT quickly loses its appeal. The ride lacks finesse even in urban driving, but on the open road it’s quite jarring. Revenge of the Prius?
It’s not exactly quick for hillwork or overtaking. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) has benefited from running changes that have reduced ‘‘flaring’’ and resulted in more linear acceleration, but with 0-100kmh in 10.3 seconds it’s still no ball of fire.
The adaptive cruise system works well at high-speed, in combination with the CVT. But given this is really a luxurious city car, it’s a shame the cruise doesn’t have the latest stop-and-go technology (instead, it quits at anything below 50kmh) and stronger steering assistance. Better automated tech would really suit this car.
So there are some issues here. But in many respects, the CT200h is ageing gracefully.
It’s true that the hybrid powertrain is no longer such an eco-selling-point for the CT. But as one of life’s little luxuries, the CT200h is still very hard to beat for its quality, equipment and soothing urban gait. Especially at this price.