Lexus CT 200h, like other Lexus models before it, challenges traditional thinking. Not only has Lexus entered the relatively new luxury/premium hatchback segment, the Lexus CT 200h brings with it the planet-friendly parallel hybrid drivetrain.
Despite its sub-$40,000 starting price, buyers of Lexus CT 200h receive the same game-changing levels of after-sales customer service enjoyed by owners of the $260,000 Lexus 600hL.
And, Lexus being Lexus, naturally the Lexus CT 200h package includes some world-first new technology, the expected Lexus levels of interior luxury and top-notch driving dynamics.
Lexus CT 200h Overview
Arrival of the Lexus CT 200h brings with it several Lexus firsts:
• The first Lexus hatchback
• The first Lexus small car
• The first Lexus with a four-cylinder engine
And some world-firsts:
• Instrument panel ECO meter display switches to a tachometer
• Eco-plastics with bio-PET
• First luxury hatchback with hybrid power
• First luxury hatchback with the safety of Pre-Collision System
Lexus CT 200h is a unique model, riding on its own platform but – to illustrate sizing - it’s virtually identical to the Toyota Corolla (wheelbase 2600mm).
There are four models in the Lexus CT 200h lineup:
Prestige $39,990
Luxury $48,990
F Sport $48,990
Sport Luxury $55,900
Power comes from a series-parallel hybrid drivetrain which can operate as a pure electric vehicle (EV) at speeds up to 45kmh. There is a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors (60kW for the drive motor) driving the front wheels via a counter gear to the differential and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Inside the usual Lexus luxury and technology…plus some breakthroughs.
For instance, the world’s first stereo speakers using bamboo. A charcoal/bamboo fibre which is both light weight and strong is used for the speaker diaphragm.
Why bamboo? With a harvest/re-growth cycle of just three years, it’s less resource-intensive than other timbers.
There’s also the expected Lexus extra safety technology (on top of the usual inclusions like anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control) including Active Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Safety System, emergency brake lights and eight SRS airbags, with knee airbags for both driver and front seat passenger.
Lexus CT 200h Engine
While this is the first four-cylinder Lexus, the Lexus CT 200h employs hybrid drive technology which is now quite familiar.
There is the Atkinson cycle, 1.8-litre, four-cylinder DOHC petrol engine and two electric motors.
One of the electric units is primarily a generator, used as a starter motor for the petrol engine and to store surplus petrol engine power in its battery.
The 60kW electric drive motor is also a generator during regenerative braking.
Power is 73kW at 5200rpm from the petrol engine (100kW all-up) and torque is 142Nm at 4,400rpm from the petrol engine (207Nm from the electric motor).
Fuel consumption is rated at 4.1l/100kms (combined cycle) and emissions score 95g/km. Impressively, Lexus says the Lexus CT200h has a range of 1,098kms.
Like the similarly-powered Toyota Prius, the Lexus CT 200h delivers handy acceleration (zero to 100km/h in 10.3 seconds) and, with a top speed of 180km/h, you won’t be holding up anyone on the freeway by being kind to the environment.
Lexus CT 200h The Interior
Once again, typical Lexus attention to detail and clever touches abound in the Lexus CT 200h interior. For starters the usual impressive quality is immediately obvious – the nice smells, tactile surfaces, high-grade materials and precision manufacturing.
The center console design is all-new and according to Greg Gardner, Lexus Australia’s product planning manager, points to a new direction which will eventually cover all models. It looks substantial and includes a new, tiny self-centering gear selector lever and the drive-mode selector (Normal, ECO or Sport).
There are two types of rear-view cameras which – depending on the model – display their images on either the flip-up satellite navigation screen or the interior re-view mirror.
Instruments show some resemblance to the Toyota Prius (a small graphic shows battery charge details), but – this is the impressive bit – when you change the driving mode from ‘ECO’ to ‘Sport’, the Hybrid meter switches to a rev-counter (tachometer). That switch in drive modes also brings with it a change in the ambient interior lighting colours.
The rake/reach adjustable steering wheel is a new, sporty three-spoke design (inspired by the Lexus LFA super sports car) and, depending on the model, the Lexus CT 200h offers 10-way power or six-way manual adjustment for the drivers’ seat. We found the Lexus CT 200h impressively comfortable.
Lexus placed the battery in the Lexus CT 200h under the luggage compartment so rear seat passengers enjoy a flat floor and legroom which Lexus says is better than most in this segment.
Luggage space with the 60:40 split-fold rear seat in place is 375-litres or 985-litres if you fold the rear seat flat.
Lexus CT 200h Exterior & Styling
Lexus CT200h delivers a distinctive look, highlighted by several cues which Lexus says point to future styling directions for the brand. Those cues start with the ‘spindle’ design of the front grilles and a more purposeful on-road presence sourced from a wide stance and sweeping lines.
The arrowhead daylight running lights (DRL) on the Lexus CT 200h are also destined for future Lexus models and even the ‘L’ logo on the grille (blue tint for all Lexus hybrid models) has been freshened with a deeper, sculptured look.
From the side, the distinctive rear three-quarter and curved hatchback glass are throwbacks to the original Lexus CT 200h concept car and we like the sweeping tail-lights with their Lexus L-shaped motif.
Aerodynamics are a big part of hybrid vehicles and the Lexus CT 200h has several key items (not the least of which is an aerodynamic muffler, part of the extensive under-body shaping). More visible are the sharp edges of the large roof spoiler and fins on the corners of the rear windows.
Lexus CT200h Prestige models run 16-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels while all others use 17-inch versions (smoke finish for the sporty F Sport).
Lexus CT 200h On The Road
In a full day transversing various roads from Melbourne’s CBD, through the Northern suburbs and Coldstream, we drove Lexus CT200h in both F Sport and range-topping Sport Luxury variants.
Like the V6 RX and GS models and the V8 LS, you are immediately impressed by the Lexus application of Toyota’s parallel hybrid drivetrain technology. Acceleration is brisk and the vehicle responds well to throttle inputs to balance things during high speed cornering.
Switching from ‘ECO’ to ‘Sport’ drive modes (or ‘Normal’ which is the default mode) produces perceptible changes in engine response, although when the system detects hard acceleration it does automatically switch to ‘Sport’ mode to deliver the desired faster response (for example when overtaking).
Lexus CT 200h Challenges
Car Showroom did not drive the Lexus CT 200h at its international preview held as part of the Paris Motorshow, however we did read some European media reports which fired some criticism regarding excess road noise.
At the Australian launch, Lexus CT 200h chief engineer, Mr Osamu Sadakata countered the vehicles used in Paris were early hand-built production prototypes, fitted with prototype suspension bushes, rubber mountings and even early-build Yokohama tyres. Since then, Mr Sadakata said, full-scale production has brought improvement across the board, not only from Lexus, but also from tyre supplier Yokohama.
He even sent one of his Lexus engineering colleagues to Australia to personally test the first vehicles sent ‘Downunder’.
We suspect if Car Showroom had been in Paris, we would not have been so critical of the Lexus CT200h.
Sure, you do notice some change in noise levels when switching from smooth roads to coarse chip secondary roads, but the fact is the Lexus CT 200h is a hatchback - not a large Lexus LS luxury sedan - so it doesn’t have the size to fit comparable amounts of sound-deadening material and disperse tyre roar.
In fact, the Lexus CT200h runs an acoustic windscreen, revised bushings and rubber mounts and is of course very quiet mechanically – we reckon it compares favourably with European rivals on that score.
We reckon the only shortcoming of the Lexus CT 200h is the CVT automatic transmission. We’d like steering wheel paddle shifters to provide optional sequential manual changes – especially in the sporty F Sport version.
Lexus CT 200h Verdict
History tells us Lexus are a bunch of perfectionists and in the Lexus CT 200h, the Japanese company brings to the luxury hatchback segment impressive hybrid powertrain technology, the hallmark Lexus luxury and build quality and immediate access to the unique Lexus Encore and Drivecare aftersales customer benefits – all of that from only $39,990.
The European rivals in this segment should be worried.
Lexus CT 200h The Competition
Again Lexus is the hybrid drivetrain pioneer in another luxury segment – this time small hatchbacks.
Of the conventionally-powered rivals – incredibly! - Mercedes-Benz (B-Class), BMW (1-Series) and Audi A3 start below the Lexus CT 200h Prestige’s stickered $39,990, but you’ll need to carefully compare specifications and options because the Lexus has lots of goodies standard.
Alfa Romeo’s stylish new Giulietta brings some Italian flair to the table.
Likes:
Planet-friendly technology; stylish interior; nice looks; all the Lexus customer care for under $40K
Dislikes:
Paddle shifters for sequential manual gear changes would be nice.
