2011 Lexus CT200h Reviews

Lexus and its parent company Toyota have more experience in petrol-electric cars than any other maker. Lexus CT200h is the lowest cost model in the Lexus range by quite a margin, with new cars being sold from just $39,990 when launched in Australia in March 2011. While far from being a hot hatch the CT200h has a touch

If you like your gadgets, you're going to love the new baby Lexus. As well as a hybrid powertain, comprising petrol and electric motors, the CT200 has a dazzling array of lights and plenty of buttons to push.We especially like the way the color of the back lighting changes when you switch from economy to performance settings, with a dial that morphs from an Eco meter into a conventional tachometer.  How cool's that?The CT represents a bold attempt to spice up the some might say boring Prius concept on which it is based (there's a Prius under there), with more of everything including power, a brash exterior.Not surprisingly, it's targeted at younger buyers. The car comes in four grades and a total of 80 combinations of colours and trim, including 10 exterior colours with either fabric or genuine leather seat facings. Ours is the F Sport with sports suspension and a body kit, finished in eye-catching blue with smoke-coloured alloys.It certainly attracts plenty of questions. All four grades are powered by a 100kW hybrid powerplant, combined with a continuously variable style auto and the aforementioned drive mode select, with EV, ECO, NORMAL and SPORT modes.All four also have eight airbags and a full active safety package. With fuel economy officiallty rated at 4.1, we have been consistently getting 5.9 litres/100km over the past few weeks.Advanced features include proactive seat heaters, intelligent climate control, LED lighting, smart audio systems and bio-sourced materials. CT's front-seat heaters have been designed to operate in concert with the air-conditioning system, reducing the workload of the air-conditioning heater to aid fuel economy.And then there's the sound system.LED headlamps, combined with the 89 LED bulbs throughout the interior, significantly reduce power consumption and engine loadings. And then there's the computer/sound system - we could devote an entire editon to this one feature.The system won the Technical Innovation Award from Popular Mechanics. It is used to remotely control navigation, audio and telephone via a computer-like mouse controller.It features a digital amplifier and 10 speakers with diaphragms made a charcoal and bamboo fibre compound to make the speaker diaphragms strong and light. Let's just say there's no shortage of things to play with.

The CT200h is unchartered territory for the Toyota's luxury car arm. It's both a hatch and smaller than anything that Lexus has produced so far. The drive train is also skewed towards economy rather than performance, in contrast ot its other hybrid offerings. But the larger 2.4-litre based hybrid system from Camry may find its way into the car, if the recent appearance of a concept with this power train at the famous Nurburgring is any indication.The Lexus CT is turning heads and could easily become the biggest selling car in its segment, as well as the biggest selling Lexus based on price alone. The main focus of the CT, it's raison d'etre is to lure younger buyers to the brand. Being a hybrid, it offers an important point of difference between it and its European rivals. Until now, the only Lexus that has been vaguely attractive to the Gen-Ys has been secondhand examples of the sporty IS sedan.Priced from $39,990, the five-seat hatch comes in four grades, Prestige, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury.  Our test vehicle, the flashy $49,990 1.8-litre F Sport model is not surprisingly proving to be most popular. Climate and leather with heated front seats are standard. Driver's seat is power adjustable and the F-Sport adds 17-inch wheels and sports suspension. Also gets satnav, Bluetooth and killer 10-speaker audio.It's all about the tech. Lots of LEDs used to reduce power consumption. Gets 5 stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide, same as a Prius with a C02 output figure of just 95g/km. One of the most interesting aspects of the car is the drive mode system that alters throttle response, electric-drive voltage and steering feedback, as well as the stability control parameters when switched to sport mode. Just so you won't have any doubts about which mode you're in, the ambient lighting changes from blue to red when the driver selects sport mode and the eco meter magically changes to a rev counter, unless cruised is activated.CT stands for compact technology. The car sits on an all-new platform but employs the same hybrid powertrain as Prius, with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine along with an electric motor to give it some extra oomph when needed. Unlike other Lexus models, drive is through the front wheels with a continuously variable style CVT transmission.The combined output of the two motors is a conservative 100kW but it performs better than the figures might suggest. The car's biggest selling point is, of course, its fuel economy, officially rated at 4.1 litres/100km (less than a Prius). We got 554km from our first tank at a rate of 5.8 litres/100km.Electronically controlled anti-lock brakes, with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. Also gets stability, traction and hill-start assist control. Comes with a total of eight airbags, including knee bags for both the driver and front passenger. Also the first Lexus with a rear seatbelt monitor system. This model comes with a reversing camera for added safety.Hasn't received a rating from Australian NCAP yet, but has achieved 5 stars for safety in European crash tests.Here's a chassis that's crying out for something more. Tackles corners with confidence and composure, but you have to put the boot in to get the best out of it. Has a small 45-litre fuel tank and prefers premium unleaded which gives it a range of over 1000km.The switch to performance mode makes a significant to throttle response, releasing more power to the electric motor. In sport mode, the stability system allows some slide to fully exploit the vehicle's dynamic abilities.Not bad. Quiet and comfortable. More likeable than we anticipated. Certainly stands out in electric blue with black alloys. Rides and handles well but a little more power would be lovely — you can't argue with the economy though.

TO have a chance of working, the Lexus CT200h has to be the most convincing hybrid yet, and in many ways it is.Although it relies on Prius technology, it distances itself by being, in every other respect, a mainstream pitch at the small luxury buyer.Unlike the Prius, it's attractive inside and out. The exterior design doesn't shout "alternative'' and the inside doesn't feel as if it's made from recycled plastic bottles. There's a freshly styled dash and, overall, it mimics the cockpit feel of the IS junior executive, which is a plus.Against its rivals, the super frugal A3 1.9 TDIe or BMW 118d, it's slightly heavier but a little less thirsty.If it were more expensive, as hybrids have been in the past, then it would attract only buyers committed to the technology because it would take forever to recoup the difference at the pump. By taking the premium out of the price, Lexus has levelled the playing field.It also has sharpened the driving experience itself, with pleasing steering and likable dynamic qualities.The downside is a firm ride that may not offer enough bump absorption for grumpy commuters and, on some roads, quite a lot of tyre noise.Otherwise, the interior is fairly refined and comfortable. Roominess and cargo space are unlikely to rule it out, and there's an equipment level befitting this type of car with some technology -- such as a pre-collision safety system - new to the segment.However, Lexus hasn't been completely successful in writing the driveline out of the equation. Out of sport mode, it lacks responsiveness and no one would accuse this car (or its diesel rivals) of being quick.It's too much to expect an appealing engine sound at this level, but there is something especially unpleasant about the noise of four-cylinders under load driving through a continuously variable transmission.Of course, CVTs are not unique to Lexus and its diesel rivals are hardly music to the ear.So in one crucial respect this car is exactly like the Audis and BMWs about this price: in each case the driveline, frugality apart, is the weakest link.LEXUS CT200H Price: Below $50,000Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol and electric motorPower: 100kW at 5200revsTorque: 142Nm at 4000revsTransmission: Continuously variable automatic, front-wheel driveFuel economy: 3.8L/100kmEmissions: 87g/km

The first four-cylinder model from Lexus piggy-backs the Toyota Prius to drive silently into new territory.  The hybrid CT200h - not only the first with four cylinders from the Toyota premium division but its first hatchback and first to slide in under $40,000 - is termed a "gateway'' model and is believed to win big sales for Lexus. Already its first shipment is sold out, even before the car this week arrives in showrooms.Chief executive for Lexus Australia, Tony Cramb, says the CT200h "challenges the established market norms" by delivering eco-friendly technology wrapped in a luxury package.The entry level's price of the four-model range starts at $39,990 which is staring at eye-level with the $39,900 Toyota Prius. No surprises then that they share more than just parents.VALUEAt $39,990 it's not exactly cheap but neither are its primarily European competitors. The trick is that the starter model is modestly equipped. You have to throw another $9000 at it to get what the luxury market expects - sat-nav, leather, heated seats, 10-speaker sound and a reverse camera - in the Luxury edition.The sports-oriented F-Sport model gets blackened alloys, body kit, sports suspension (no, no and no) and sports seats for $49,990.  Ring your banker and get $55,990 for the Sports Luxury which has additional safety like Lexus' new pre-collision system and active cruise control.TECHNOLOGYSame as Prius. The 1.8-litre engine is mated to an electric motor that also acts as a generator and starter motor.  The gearbox is a continuously-variable unit operated by a slick electronic, Playstation-style lever. An electric motor helps reduce steering effort and another electric motor runs the water pump.The battery at the back is nickel-metal hydride as Lexus says lithium-ion "wasn't available because of demand''. Rubbish - we've got Ni-MH because it's cheaper than Li-ion even though the latter is decades ahead in performance and lightness.But while this is all Prius gear, there are some interesting new bits.  Lexus has fitted four adjustable driving modes - EV (electric-only drive), Eco (petrol and electric but reduced power and airconditioning), Normal (petrol and electric but designed for smooth driving) and Sport (more responsive steering, more volts for the motor, less intrusive stability control and higher engine revs).Other handywork includes plant-derived material for the luggage floor, speaker diaphrams made from a bamboo-charcoal resin, and suspension strut bars that not only improve body rigidity but have an inbuilt absorber to reduce vibrations.DESIGNThe CT200h is the same size as the 1999-launched Lexus IS200 but is lighter, has a much bigger cabin and is one second quicker to 100km/h.  It doesn't break any new styling grounds but follows the conservative tastes of Lexus/Toyota and, therefore, its buyers.But it works well, with seating for four adults, a split-fold rear seat to boost the already accommodating boot space and reasonable visibility.  The cabin is better, with a dashboard that is both elegant and functional and - more importantly - more modern and youthful than Audi and BMW.The electronics and the displays are excellent - though you'll need the Luxury model to get the sat-nav on the big 200mm screen - but the foot-operated park brake is a jarring reminder of an archaic era.SAFETYThere's a five-star crash rating, eight airbags (the extra two are the knee airbags for the driver and front passenger) plus stability control, ABS brakes with EBD and brake assist, a hill holder - uphill or downhill - and traction control.  The seats are also designed to make the body squat while the active head restraints move forward, reducing the impact from rear-enders.DRIVINGMy head is saying Prius and it's not getting excited, but my heart's feeling that there's a lot of urge coming on from up front.  The weeny drive program included some city driving where the first hint of change was the firm-ish ride over Melbourne's battered city roads.  But the ride noise from the suspension was virtually inaudible, as was the engine given it was mostly turned off and it could travel for up to 2km on the battery.Pick a tight, winding road and the CT200h - with the Power mode engaged - is an absolute surprise. Stuff the economy, this thing will run hard through the corners and draw the huge near-zero rev torque of the motor to complement the engine to deliver instant power out of the corners.The handling is excellent, even though the electric steering can sometimes feel vague and the CVT sounds like it's spinning irrelevantly.It's also comfortable (though some may think the ride's a bit firm for oldies) and really feels taut, confident and fun to drive. Definitely not words you'd use to describe Prius.LEXUS CT200h PRICE: from $39,990WARRANTY: 4-years/unlimited kmRESALE: n/aSERVICE INTERVAL: 15,000km/12 monthsSAFETY: 5-star Euro NCAPENGINE: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl petrol engine, 73kW/142Nm; electric motor, 60kW/207NmBODY: 5-door hatchWEIGHT: from 1370kgTRANSMISSION: CVT, front driveTHIRST: 4.1L/100km, 91 RON, CO2 95g/km"Affordable luxury with a green tint''

A Lexus that is even more efficient than a Toyota Prius sounds hard to believe, but it's true. The new CT200h hybrid has just been certified with an emission output of just 87g/km, which is 2g/km less than Toyota's famous eco-warrior. Not bad for a prestige model.The CT200h is the first Lexus hatch and will lob into Australia early next year with a starting price below $50,000 on a mission to not only dramatically boost Lexus sales, but also lure younger buyers to the brand. It was developed solely as a hybrid and there will be no petrol-only version.The CT200h uses the same petrol-electric power pack and drivetrain as the Prius, which also means it is the first front-drive Lexus in Australia since the Camry-based ES 300 models were retired in 2005. It has the same wheelbase as a Toyota Corolla and Prius, but Lexus says the base is significantly different.The CT200h shares the MacPherson strut front suspension with those models, but has a sportier double wishbone rear suspension system. The new Lexus is a five-seat hatch with 375 litres of bootspace and has a space saver spare in some markets.Lexus is yet to confirm final pricing, but the sub-$50,000 indication shows it will slot into the line-up below the IS sedan. Determining value is hard because there are more enjoyable cars around for less money, but they aren't hybrids.It is the cheapest way to get into a Lexus without buying one second-hand. Technology The CT200h uses the proven technology of the Prius, with a bit of a techno tickle to upgrade the experience. That means it has a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine tuned for economy an electric motor and generator all linked up to nickel metal hydride battery.It can run entirely in electric mode at very low speeds and scavenges energy normally wasted under deceleration. A continuously variable automatic is a crucial part of the system, there is no manual option.The CT has been tuned with different modes, which change the engine characteristics and power steering assistance. Eco mode dulls the throttle input to help a jerky driver achieve better fuel economy, while the Sport mode sharpens the throttle response and makes the steering feel heavier. The instrument cluster glows blue in most modes, but switches to red in Sport mode.The CT200h has an official average fuel economy figure of just 3.8 litres per 100km. While most of the emphasis has been placed on economy, Lexus also went out of its way to optimise the handling.The new model has front and rear suspension strut braces, developed by Yamaha, which feature a centre damper to reduce vibrations without losing rigidity. Lexus has also used aluminum for the bonnet and boot hatch in a bid to keep the weight pegged to 1370kg. Despite these measures, the CT200h is unlikely to win any drag races with a pedestrian 0-100k m/h time of 10.3 seconds.As you would expect from a Lexus, the CT200h is loaded with safety gear including eight airbags, electronic stability control, brake assist and seats designed to reduce whiplash.It will also be available with an option Pre Collision system which uses radar to predict collisions with vehicles in front and prime the brakes and tighten seatbelts and can even slow the vehicle automatically.This is a controversial one. The first Lexus hatch was always going to cop some flak, but the CT200h polarizes opinions. For me it is not an attractive car. It looks good from some angles, but ugly from others.It certainly isn't an integrated design with a mixture of straight lines and curves that jars. Lexus Australia was ready for criticism of the design at our preview, pro-actively pointing out that an Australian marketing group thought it was the best looking car in its class although they were looking at pictures and not the car in the metal.A test drive of a pre-production car near Paris revealed Lexus must do some last minute work to lift the standard of the CT200h before it arrives in Australia.The tyre and road noise on coarse chip surfaces, similar to Australian country roads, was loud for a small car and simply unacceptable for a prestige model. There were also far too many vibrations coming into the cabin. Lexus has promised to work on this.There are other issues that could affect the popularity of the car in Australia, but let's cover some positives. This is a practical eco car. There is quite a reasonable amount of bootspace and a good amount of legroom and headroom for two rear passengers.Forget the fifth seat, it is tiny. It handles quite well. We're not talking BMW driving pleasure, but the CT200h is a lot more fun than the Prius and you can tell chief engineer Osamu Sadakata, who races a Mazda MX-5, enjoys corners.The performance is acceptable for an eco hatch, but nothing to get excited about. You will be able to keep up with traffic though. The very nature of a step-less CVT transmission means it is also less involving. Customers are more likely to get excited about the fuel economy and we recorded a figure of just over 6 litres per 100km driving the car hard. Unfortunately the suspension and most likely the damping is not quite right. It picks up the tiniest of niggles and sends them through to the cabin. It depends on the surfaces, but can be overwhelmingly fidgety on some surfaces. The interior styling is passable, but the crisp and futuristic instrument cluster is spoiled by an old-school liquid crystal display in the corner and the centre screen that looks ancient compared to the latest versions in other cars and smart phone displays.If Lexus can dramatically reduce the road noise and vibrations and fix the suspension the CT200h could still be a good premium eco car that attracts new customers to Lexus. It's a different concept, trading performance for economy, but there's no reason it can't succeed if executed correctly.