2011 Lexus CT 200h Review

We're introduced to the 2011 Lexus CT 200h at a press event held in Delray Beach, Florida, that famously moneyed Florida retirement enclave. It's a fitting location, given that the CT 200h aims to be the affordable player in the Lexus lineup. With a sub-$30,000 price (the least expensive in the Lexus family) and frugal fuel efficiency, the CT 200h stands poised to beckon fresh blood to the brand's silver-haired customer base.

Lexus executives firmly refer to the CT 200h as a five-door compact, but as we take our first look at the car in the bright Florida sun, its sheet metal tells a humbler story. This is a hatchback, no two ways about it, a car meant to occupy the space in your imagination.

It's no BMW (BMW:GR), but the CT 200h offers a nicer cabin and greater driving panache than high-mileage competitors such as the Prius and Honda (HMC) Insight. If your priority is the greatest possible fuel economy the Prius is still the best buy on the market, as far as I'm concerned. If you're willing to pay a bit more for nicer styling and better handling, the CT 200h is well worth a look.

It's also a hybrid, the fifth in the Lexus family, with the same powertrain as the Toyota Prius. As we'd expected, this translates into fuel economy that's the best in the premium compact segment, but what we didn't expect is how much fun the CT 200h is to drive. Though it's no overachiever in straight-line acceleration, this Lexus feels tightly buttoned up, with sharp, responsive steering. Hybrids aren't usually this entertaining, least of all those that share parts with a Prius.

Thin but diverse, the herd of premium compacts includes the lively BMW 1 Series, the handsome Volvo C30 and the luxurious, eco-minded Audi A3 TDI. Less pricey than most of its rivals and more frugal at the pump than all, the Lexus CT 200h distinguishes itself as a value-oriented luxury car that just happens to be a hybrid.

Lexus' new entry-level hybrid has the same power plant and drive train as the Prius, an 80-horsepower electric motor and 98-hp gasoline engine that generate a combined 134 hp. The transmission is a fuel-efficient, continuously variable automatic. That's where the similarities end.

A 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors combine to give the Lexus CT 200h some 134 horsepower, while an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) works as ringleader. In Edmunds testing, the CT 200h jogs from a standstill to 60 mph in a torpid 10.4 seconds on the way to a pass through the quarter-mile in 17.6 seconds at 78.8 mph, but don't let this discourage you, since in real-world driving, the CT feels reasonably well-powered and responsive in most situations. It comes to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet, a reasonable effort considering its less-than-sticky, low-rolling-resistance tires.

We exploit the CT's playfulness by putting it in "Sport" mode and the drive mode knob indicates our choice by lighting up in bold crimson. Throttle response instantly becomes more aggressive and steering sharpens, since this mode modifies their settings for quicker response each time the driver taps the gas pedal or turns the wheel. Sport mode also dials back the car's stability and traction control systems, allowing us more direct control of the Lexus.

Switching to "Eco" mode turns the illumination on the drive mode knob a soothing shade of blue (though wouldn't green be more appropriate?). This mode promises optimum fuel efficiency and low emissions, and it gives the CT a more serious-minded personality. To discourage the sort of aggressive inputs that hurt fuel economy, throttle feel becomes numb, like a moist sponge. Its muddy handling here reminds us that, yes, this hatch is a blood relative to the Prius.

As our speed slows in anticipation of a red light, we press the "EV" button, switching the CT to all-electric mode. Available only with gentle throttle inputs, an adequately charged battery and at speeds of less than 28 mph, this mode allows the vehicle to travel solely on electric power for up to a mile, delivering silent, emissions-free cruising.

The CT 200h is completely different from any other Toyota or Lexus model. Indeed, it doesn't share a platform with any of them. It's a four-door/five-passenger hatchback, a highly practical style of vehicle that is popular in Europe but traditionally doesn't sell well in the U.S. With the price of regular gasoline now above $3, American tastes may start to change.

The CT 200h is an excellent choice for commuting and is flexible enough to handle everything from weekend chores to a car-pool with three or four kids. The sporty, well-bolstered front seats are much more comfortable than front seats in the Prius. There's only enough knee-and-foot room for two average-sized adults—not three—to sit comfortably in the rear seat, however.

Even with the rear seats up, there's 14.3 cu. ft. of luggage space, about equal to the trunk of a midsize sedan. As in the Prius, the rear seats fold down to make a large hauling space.

Starting price is $29,995, about the same as a top-of-the-line Toyota Prius V. Standard equipment includes a chunky, leather-clad steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system, 17-in. alloy wheels, a push-button starter, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and stability and traction control. Standard safety features include eight air bags and stability and traction control.

Options include a hard-drive navigation system with traffic and stock price alerts ($2,245), premium audio with a backup camera ($1,475), LED headlights ($1,215), and remote engine startup ($375).

The CT 200h's 42-mpg fuel economy rating (40 mpg on the highway, 43 in the city) lags the Prius' 50 mpg, but equals that of the Honda Insight and beats most other hybrids. If my experience is any indication, mileage results may diminish during the year's coldest months. As I engaged in about 225 miles of mixed driving in frigid winter weather, I averaged 37 mpg. On the plus side, the car is instantly ready to go in cold weather. The windows defrost as swiftly as the heated front seats become toasty-hot.

I didn't make any effort to maximize fuel economy. The CT 200h has three driving modes: eco, normal, and sport. If you were to keep it in eco most of the time—accelerating and braking gradually—I suspect you could easily average 42 mpg or more. If you really want to economize, you can drive up to a mile on electricity alone at speeds as high as 28 mph. One cool feature: The instrument panel backlighting is blue in eco and normal modes and switches to bright red in sport mode.