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Lexus CT200h Review 2014

 

Good points

    Luxurious, comfortable cabin
    Impressive fuel economy
    Easy to drive

Needs work

    Uninspiring engine
    Passenger and cargo space
    Expensive

The CT200h holds up the Lexus name in luxury and refinement, but other options in the segment offer more fun.

The CT200h is the smallest Lexus. There are two types of people that consider buying an expensive small car: Lexus wants them to be affluent thirty-somethings who value the badge, and the quality it implies. However, the CT is also a rather natural fit for downsizing retirees, who no longer need a large sedan like the GS.

But, Lexus protests—the whole point of the CT200h is to distil the luxury experience into a cheaper, smaller, and ultimately more fun package, to bring those younger buyers into Lexus dealerships more quickly, build their loyalty, and keep them in the brand forever.

We found that while the CT200h succeeds in retaining impressive levels of quality and luxury in a more inexpensive model, it still lacks an adequate serve of the most crucial ingredient: fun. This problem might be addressed later this year when Lexus slots their first turbocharged engine into the CT—but until such an overhaul happens, the CT’s conservative driving dynamics make it a hard sell over the spirited German competition from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.

ChasingCars.com.au borrowed this vehicle for our Lexus CT200h review:

  • 2014 Lexus CT200h Sports Luxury (top trim), with the 1.8-litre aspirated four-cylinder and Atkinson-cycle electric motor and continuously-variable automatic, in Mercury Grey with black leather, priced at $54,990 before on-road costs.
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Key specs (as tested)

Engine
Capacity
1.8L
Cylinders
4
Induction
Naturally aspirated
Power
100kW @ 5200rpm
Torque
142Nm @ 2800–4000rpm
Configuration
Continuously variable
Power to weight ratio
69kW / tonne
Fuel
Fuel type
Petrol-electric hybrid
Fuel capacity
45L
Consumption
4.1L / 100km
Average Range
1098km
Drivetrain
Transmission
Automatic
Drivetrain
Front wheel drive
Engine configuration
In-line
Gears
1
Dimensions
Length
4350mm
Width
1765mm
Height
1455mm
Unoccupied weight
1440kg
Cargo space seats up
375L
Cargo seats down
985L

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