Lexus CT vs Audi A7
What's the difference?

Lexus CT

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2018 price

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Audi A7

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2019 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Summary

2018 Lexus CT

2019 Audi A7

By Tim Robson

By Matt Campbell

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

4.1L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Glorious to behold
Surprising value
Great safety kit

Dislikes

Launching with top-spec petrol only
Still some options to pick
Some tech quibbles on launch

2018 Lexus CT Summary

There are two ways to look at the Lexus CT200h; as either the cheapest model in the Japanese company’s range, or as a planet-saving hybrid.

Either way, the four-door, five-seat CT200h hatch – which has been updated for 2018 – differs from the rest of the Japanese luxury brand’s lineup for a number of different reasons.

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2019 Audi A7 Summary

Audi is known as a design-led brand, and arguably no model in the line-up embodies that ethos more than the Audi A7 Sportback.

This all-new version of Audi's largest swoopy five-door hatchback takes the concept of the original first-generation version and, rather than reinventing the idea, reimagines it with a more modern and even more style-focused look, inside and out.

And it's a very convincing execution, indeed.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Lexus CT 2019 Audi A7

Verdict

The cheapest Lexus of them all isn’t chasing badge snobs with the CT200h as blatantly as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi do with their entry level cars… but it’s perhaps not quite the Lexus you’d expect it to be.

It has a lovely front-of-cabin, for example, but there’s a lot of last-gen Prius in plain sight in the rear of the cabin.

The hybrid powertrain, too, is noble in concept, but the day-to-day reality is that it’s not as nice to drive, especially town to town, as a regular petrol-powered car of similar size.

The foot brake, silly multimedia joystick and odd gearshifter also spoilt the party a bit.

Empty nesters who are looking for a nice city runaround with a tinge of greenwash about it will love it… and if the current Prius is anything to go by, the next CT will be a very good thing indeed.

Verdict

The Audi A7 is a really likeable car, one that is heavily focused on style but also emanates substance. The 55 TFSI model will appeal to many, but my initial impression is that the best buy in the range could well be the entry-level 45 TFSI. I can't wait to sample it sometime in 2019.

Lexus CT vs Audi A7 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus CT vs Audi A7
What's the difference?