Lexus CT 200h - Affordable luxury that's fun to drive

The Lexus CT 200h is the latest hybrid Toyota's luxury brand has tossed into its model mix. No matter on which side of the man-made-global-warming debate you fall, you may well agree that fewer tailpipe emissions belched into the atmosphere are probably preferable to more. 
In that regard Lexus, and the more mainstream Toyota, deserve props for stepping up to offer alternatives for achieving that end. Both brands have lineups littered with low-emissions hybrids, providing plenty of choices. It is left up to the market to decide if the benefits are worth the extra cost of hybrid technology or the tax subsidies they receive.

Last year Lexus launched the HS 250h. A gussied up Prius, its sales thus far have been unremarkable. Through November, Lexus had pushed 9,500 units out the door for the year. Heavily based on the Prius, HS received some criticism for not being upscale enough. Indeed, it is rather plain inside and out. Environmentally concerned evidently doesn't mean Amish, and even hybrid buyers, it seems, prefer some style in their statements of social conscience. Enter the CT 200h.

Scheduled to go on sale in March, the CT 200h should appeal to those who think the HS too bland. In the words of Lexus execs, where the HS driver demographic is somewhat similar to the ES, the CT buyer will be more closely related to the IS driver. Lexus expects 75 percent of CT buyers to come from other brands and to be composed, in large part, by Generations X and Y. Lexus will offer the CT 200h in one trim level.
Prius remains the source of the propulsion system, but the CT platform is all new and, at least for the present, unique to the CT. A new rear suspension setup and a lateral performance damper system also set the driving dynamics apart from the HS and Prius. Although the CT's basic hybrid system comes directly from Prius, its control system is tailored specifically for the CT. That is, the hybrid system as it appears in the CT offers a distinct driving experience.

What is the same is the 98-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and 36-horsepower (650-volt) electric motor system. What is different is the way the electric motor's power can contribute to acceleration. On the center stack, below the audio controls, is a knob with which the driver can choose from among three driving modes. To the far left is the Eco setting with its subdued throttle response and voltage limits for the electric motor. To the far right is the Sport setting that not only provides peak power of 650 volts even at low throttle, but also reduces power assist in the steering for better control. Pushing the knob returns performance to normal.

Fuel economy is solid with an EPA-estimated city number of 43 mpg and 40 mpg on the highway. This is good for a combined average of 42 mpg.

Composed of a MacPherson strut layout in front and a double-wishbone setup in the rear, the four-wheel independent suspension provides better-than-expected cornering and Lexus-worthy ride quality. The ride is a bit stiffer than an ES buyer might enjoy, but some of this has to do with the CT's relatively short wheelbase of 102.4 inches -- shorter than the Prius by 3.9 inches and shorter than the Mazda 3 hatchback by 1.5 inches.
Included in the base price are antilock disc brakes on all four wheels, traction control, stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist. Eight airbags are also standard.
Roughly seven inches shorter than a Mazda 3 hatchback, and about as wide, the CT makes the most of its tidy dimensions. The cabin is roomier than the exterior measurements indicate. Rear-seat legroom is a bit tight, but otherwise four adults should be quite comfortable. With the rear seat upright, there is 14.3 cubic feet of luggage space.

With its creases and cuts, the exterior makes for a much stylish package. This emphasis on design continues into the cabin. Offering all the elements typically found in a hybrid, CT's interior presents them in a highly stylized manner. A fun element, the primary gauge cluster in front of the driver changes its appearance based on the driving mode setting. When in Sport mode, a tachometer appears on the left and the gauge cluster coloring changes from blue to red.

Standard features will include an audio system with full iPod control and satellite radio, keyless ignition, full power accessories, and Bluetooth connectivity. Among available options will be a navigation system and rain-sensing wipers.

Coy about pricing, Lexus won't announce a suggested retail price until a week or two before the CT goes on sale; however, it has promised the base price will be below that of the entry-level IS. That will probably put it in the range of $29,900 to $31,900. No matter, it will be more affordable than the $35,600 HS. As of now, Lexus expects sales in the neighborhood of 1,000 per month. Look for more than a few of those sales to come at the expense of HS. CT is better looking, more fun to drive and will be more affordable.