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22/11/2011
REVIEW by JOHN CRAWFORD
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A price tag below $40,000; front-wheel-drive and a hatchback? Surely this can’t be a Lexus? The new $39,990 Lexus CT200h is based on the Toyota Prius, priced like the Prius and is modestly-equipped – but it does have a value story and the importers expect big things of their new ‘small’ Lexus.
Lexus introduced the CT200h to Australia in an unusual way, by lining up cars at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit for the Celebrity Race. After the silently-whirring petrol-electric hybrids had completed a fun filled race Lexus sales people sat back in their showrooms and waited for the orders to come in.
Not so fast! Sadly, Australian car buyers are shunning ‘green’ cars, though the cheapest Lexus does have some genuine appeal for environmentally-conscious luxury car buyers.
The primary feature set is what will sell this Lexus hybrid. It’s quiet, has nice seats, is smooth to drive and ride in, finished like a Lexus, and good value. The price leader is modestly-equipped (how else could you price it so low), so you’ll need to spend around $9000 to get the range of features you might expect in a luxury car.
On the road it’s willing, and while the boot is pretty limiting with the back seats in position, you can create acceptable extra space by folding them down. With the seats raised we struggled to get two 62 cm rollaway suitcases stowed under the removable rear shelf.
As far as driving is concerned we found the electric steering didn’t provide the driver with any sort of involvement, or ‘feel’, although it is responsive and competent.
Taking a long trip in a Lexus CT200h is a pleasure. Low wind noise, good ride and confidence-boosting grip means it will carry you from Sydney to Brisbane safely and comfortably, despite the patchy quality of the Pacific Highway. Mind you, the suspension settings are surprisingly firm, and badly potholed roads do transfer a lot of road shock - but most cars can’t insulate you adequately from our terrible roads.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the CT200h is fitted with suspension strut bars which are used to create greater structural rigidity and reduce vibrations. We think they work as planned.
Fuel economy is claimed to be four litres per hundred kilometres, but on a long drive that saw us flashing down Britain’s M4 motorway from London’s Heathrow Airport to the depths of North Cornwall, consumption shot up to more than 10 litres per hundred kilometres, which was a big shock. This suggests that the Lexus doesn’t have a very wind-cheating shape, and driven hard (above 110 km/h most of the way), it can’t deliver decent fuel efficiency.
There are four, adjustable, driving modes. EV (electric-only drive); Eco (petrol + electric, but reduced power, and air conditioning); Normal (petrol and electric designed for smoother, regular driving) and Sport (more responsive steering), more power for the electric motor, less interference from the stability control system and higher engine revs in the lower gears.
You could easily use the EV mode for short distances around town, but our suggestion would be to stay away from Sport mode and go for Normal. In Eco mode the air conditioning didn’t seem to be able to keep up with the demands from an Aussie summer. Conversely, a British summer didn’t worry us at all in Eco mode.
The gearstick looks like Lexus nicked it from a Sony Game Console. The gearbox is a CVT type (continuously-variable), which means there aren’t any set ratios and it just whirrs along, without being very noticeable at all.
Standard equipment for the price-leading CT200h includes cloth seat trim; eight airbags; dual-zone climate control; 16-inch alloy wheels; LED daytime running lights; cruise control and metallic paint.
The first luxury option pack costs $3000 and for that you get leather trim; 17-inch alloys; heated front seats and auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror. Another $5000 option pack gives you a moon roof and the satellite navigation on a big screen.
The F sport variants get all manner of sporty body mouldings, sports wheels, tuned suspension along with sports seats, steering wheel and pedals.
Lexus says this model is a vital element of its policy to widen the appeal of its luxury range, and this car is also incredibly important in the UK and Europe too.
Lexus won’t talk specifically about anticipated volumes in Australia, but if the take up of the Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrids is any guide, don’t expect to see big numbers of the Lexus hybrid on Australian roads. However, it’s a competent vehicle, well-executed and has something for everyone in the range.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
CT200h Prestige 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid four-door sedan: $39,990 (CVT)
CT200h Luxury 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid four-door sedan: $48,990 (CVT)
CT200h F Sport 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid four-door sedan: $49,900 (CVT)
CT200h Sport Luxury 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid four-door sedan: $55,900 (CVT)
Note: Above prices do not include government or dealer charges. Contact your local Lexus dealer for driveaway prices.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in Luxury, F Sport and Sport Luxury
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in Luxury, F Sport and Sport Luxury
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Lexus CT200h Prestige 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid four-door sedan)
ENGINE
Engine Capacity: 1.798 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 13.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 80.5 x 88.3 mm
Maximum Power: 73 kW @ 5200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 142 Nm @ 4400 rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Continuously variable
Final Drive Ratio: 3.267:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4320 mm
Wheelbase: 2600 mm
Width: 1765 mm
Height: 1440 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1370 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
Towing Ability: Not supplied
Boot Capacity: 375 litres (985 litres with rear seat backs folded)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, Macpherson strut, coil springs, gas dampers and
anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Trailing arm double wishbone independent suspension with
integrated stabiliser bracket, coil springs and gas dampers
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h: 10.3 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:
Fuel Type: Petrol 95RON/Electric
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 4.1 L/100 km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 9/10
Air Pollution Rating: 8.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Four years/100,000 km |
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