2011 Lexus CT200h

Thai

Thai

Elite Member
This is the upcoming Lexus CT200h. It has the powertrain of the Prius. But, two things make it different. First, it is slightly smaller than Prius and possibly weighs the same or a bit less. Second, it has independent rear suspension. Some say that this platform will be the upcoming next gen Corolla platform.

Of course, it has the Lexus stuff, including a nice interior, Mark Levinson upgrade system, and LED headlights (optional, like on Prius). It will likely have all the techno stuff on my Prius as an option.

Lexus claims that 0-60 will be around 9 seconds. Because it is smaller than Prius (thus keeping weight around Prius), it will have the same fuel economy as Prius (in Prius, it is 51/48 mpg). Its main competitor is the Audi A3 or BMW 1 series. Supposedly, Lexus claims that the CT200h will have the best handling suspension of ANY Lexus, not named ISF. It won't blow off doors but it will handle really well apparently.

Here are some pics: Photos from LEXUS CT200h | Facebook

So far, i think that it is a far better vehicle than the Lexus HS250h. However, it is too small for my needs (aka two toddlers). In addition, i think that the small size may make it a problem in a collision versus a bigger/heavier vehicle. (That was one reason why i hesitate for a while getting the Prius...in Texas, too many big trucks roam the highways.)

What do you guys think??
 
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You mean the CT200h didn't catch on fire yet? haha

Serious note...BlairB said he's planning to get one as his DD. He too said it's better than the HS250h

And with all this bad stuff going with Toyota...I'll still buy them in the future.

Thank you for posting!!

You actually get the first inside scoop.
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Yeah, this thing has a lot of potential as a handler/fun-to-drive vehicle. It is kinda like what Miata owners say...it is not how fast that you get there, it is the drive itself.

The price is rumored to be around $30-35k. My guess is that it will be around $30k for a base model (cloth seating, halogens, etc.) and $40k for a fully-loaded vehicle (leather, LEDs, Tech pkg, Mark Levinson, NAVI, etc.). Lexus HS250h goes from $33k to $48k. The same pricing structure for the CT.

Oh yeah, BlairB has good taste! :)
 
Overall, I like the CT. I think it's a better car than the HS and I'd consider one along side the Prius if I'm in the market for a hybrid.

Something I didn't know, I always though the HS had the same engine as the Prius, but it's actually the Camry Hybird's.

:iagree: with KC to a certain extend, some Toyotas I will still buy as my first choice like a hybrid. But for others, I will consider another make equally and Toyota is no longer #1 by default.
 
Uneek said:
Overall, I like the CT. I think it's a better car than the HS and I'd consider one along side the Prius if I'm in the market for a hybrid.

Something I didn't know, I always though the HS had the same engine as the Prius, but it's actually the Camry Hybird's.

:iagree: with KC to a certain extend, some Toyotas I will still buy as my first choice like a hybrid. But for others, I will consider another make equally and Toyota is no longer #1 by default.
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Yeah, that is the disappointing thing about HS...a new car with yesterday's powertrain. :redbrick: So, when it came out, it was already dated.

I am with Uneek on this one...Toyota (and Lexus) is no longer an automatic first choice for me. Even with hybrid technology, Toyota/Lexus has allowed the competition to catch up and possibly surpass over the next 1-2 years.
 
Ok, I want a CT-f:D That would fun!:guitar3:

I think they may sell some these. The CT might just strike a chord with folks who want more than a Subi has to offer, more refinement than a Mazda etc.
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Ok, I want a CT-f:D That would fun!:guitar3:

I think they may sell some these. The CT might just strike a chord with folks who want more than a Subi has to offer, more refinement than a Mazda etc.
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See...you're coming around...soon, you will say how much you want to trade in your 4runner and buy a Prius!! :banana:

Just found out more info. The CT200h will have a curb weight of around 3100 lbs, same as my Prius. So, it is about 5 inches shorter, 1 inch or so wider, and lower to the ground than my Prius. Same powertrain. Same 17" tire size as my Prius. Basically, it is a bit smaller than my Prius, but weighs as much due to the added luxury stuff (sound proofing, etc). This means that it will likely match my Prius in efficiency (51/48 mpg). Acceleration will likely be in the same ballpark too, which ain't exactly Corvette ZR-1 territory.
 
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Uh-oh...looks like another Lexus hybrid failure.... (copied from another forum)

‎>TOP GEAR CT200H REVIEW : "identity crisis" " annoyingly at steady speeds" " It doesn't feel sporty "

>EVO CT200H REVIEW : "Rather dull, unfortunately" , "a bit of a mess overall" , "the responses are just a bit wooden"

>AUTOCAR CT200H REVIEW : " It's hard to recommend" , "not even a pale substitute of BMW 1"
 
Well, due to the yen-dollar value, it looks like the CT will cost in the low $30k range for base model. :(

When was the last time a sports car sold well here that takes 10 sec to 60 mph, has vinyl seats, and costs $35,000+??!! Lexus better hopes gas prices skyrocket within the next year!
 
I've been a big fan of Lexus since the beginning. Our family got a 1991 LS400 new. Lately its been tough to "swallow" their lineup. The idea of having an entry level luxury hybrid car is a good idea, but I think they went about it all wrong. Starting with the HS, the base car (Avensis) is a great chassis, but why couldn't they stuff all the hybrid gear into the IS? The IS is a much better looking car and a great way to "test the market". Maybe they thought they had a better platform with the Avensis or packaging the hybrid gear was easier, I don't know. When it first came out, I sat in an HS and thought the cabin design was an after though. Performance wise, it's ho hum according to most car publications. I don't know what the prognosis is on the HS, but I doubt its good. Now, the CT would be great in a market like Europe (where its pretty much designed for), but here, I have my incredible doubts. What could've been a great opportunity for them to make a great entry level luxury hybrid seems to be all for nothing, automotive media seems to give it a unanimous thumbs down. When I read the specs on the CT, I think to myself, "What's the point again?".

AutoBlog: Lexus CT

If you want to go "green", its tough to beat the Prius. If luxury is a must for you, if I HAD to choose, I'd go with the HS (even though it more expensive). The CT is too damn hiddeous. A hatchback? Nothing screams "cheap" like a hatchback (Americans have a different mentality about luxury then the folks in Europe where having a luxury hatchback is accepted). Lexus expects to sell about 1000/month here. I don't see it happening. Anyway, I hope they get back on track.

My 2 cents
 
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I'm not down on the CT just yet. If you look at it from the perspective of someone that wants an efficient, practical car with a nice interior, there isn't much else out there. I refuse to buy another VW/Audi product after the issues I went through with my GTI. I'll always be a fan of hatches and wagons. So, what does that leave that is 35+ mpg but still has a great interior? Not much of anything. $34k gets you nulux, navigation, moonroof, and the nicer 17" F sport wheels. Considering what a Prius V goes for, that price really doesn't seem that bad. I'm a guy that likes a good handling vehicle, too, so I could see it in my garage. Most of the reviews are pretty good other than bagging on the acceleration, but you really aren't going to find too many cars that do over 40mpg with very good "get up". I'll definitely test drive one, though.
 
Quentin said:
I'm not down on the CT just yet. If you look at it from the perspective of someone that wants an efficient, practical car with a nice interior, there isn't much else out there. I refuse to buy another VW/Audi product after the issues I went through with my GTI. I'll always be a fan of hatches and wagons. So, what does that leave that is 35+ mpg but still has a great interior? Not much of anything. $34k gets you nulux, navigation, moonroof, and the nicer 17" F sport wheels. Considering what a Prius V goes for, that price really doesn't seem that bad. I'm a guy that likes a good handling vehicle, too, so I could see it in my garage. Most of the reviews are pretty good other than bagging on the acceleration, but you really aren't going to find too many cars that do over 40mpg with very good "get up". I'll definitely test drive one, though.
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For me, if Prius V ATP did not exist, then my choices would also include the Acura TSX SportWagon (22/30 mpg). For $34k, you get a fully loaded TSX Sportwagon with ELS surround system (on par or better than most Mark Levinson), way more space, just as good or better handling, way better acceleration, HIDs, real leather with contrast stitching, high def navigation with music storage (15 gb!), etc.. Sure, the mileage is not as good, but going from 30 mpg to 42 mpg is not all that much in the grand scheme of things...and you get more car for the buck! (For me, i concentrate more on highway mileage because that is what i drive the most daily.)

Others to consider: Chevy Volt (tax deductions make price more reasonable), Lincoln MKZ hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, and Mercedes GLK diesel (coming out next year).
 
Thai said:
For me, if Prius V ATP did not exist, then my choices would also include the Acura TSX SportWagon (22/30 mpg). For $34k, you get a fully loaded TSX Sportwagon with ELS surround system (on par or better than most Mark Levinson), way more space, just as good or better handling, way better acceleration, HIDs, real leather with contrast stitching, high def navigation with music storage (15 gb!), etc.. Sure, the mileage is not as good, but going from 30 mpg to 42 mpg is not all that much in the grand scheme of things...and you get more car for the buck! (For me, i concentrate more on highway mileage because that is what i drive the most daily.)

Others to consider: Chevy Volt (tax deductions make price more reasonable), Lincoln MKZ hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, and Mercedes GLK diesel (coming out next year).
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I like the TSX sport wagon, but it doesn't come with a 6MT, does it? If I'm going to suffer with an AT, I better get 40mpg. :)

The Volt is a no-go. It would have a near 20 year payback versus a new Prius on my driving patterns (I'm either very short or very long drives) even after the tax deduction. It is also far less practical since it only seats 4. And it is a GM. The Prius is cheaper up front than the Ford/Lincoln and I'd want the hatchback. No need for another SUV.
 
Quentin said:
I like the TSX sport wagon, but it doesn't come with a 6MT, does it? If I'm going to suffer with an AT, I better get 40mpg. :)

The Volt is a no-go. It would have a near 20 year payback versus a new Prius on my driving patterns (I'm either very short or very long drives) even after the tax deduction. It is also far less practical since it only seats 4. And it is a GM. The Prius is cheaper up front than the Ford/Lincoln and I'd want the hatchback. No need for another SUV.
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Ahh, i see your point...no MT for TSX SW. How about VW GTI? I think that it gets in the low 30s on the highway. But, of course, VW may be even worst than GM!! :D
 
Thai said:
Ahh, i see your point...no MT for TSX SW. How about VW GTI? I think that it gets in the low 30s on the highway. But, of course, VW may be even worst than GM!! :D
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Funny you mention that. Up until August, I owned an 07 GTI 4 door, 6MT. I was the original owner and it was a brilliant car. My excel spreadsheets showed an average of 31.x mpg for the life of the car. It was also in the shop over 10 times in the 3 years I had it. When the AC stopped working, for the 2nd time, on a 3 hr drive to Cinci in 100*F temps, that was the last straw. I was also itching for an MX-5 or S2000 at the time, so it seemed like the stars had aligned. Then my wife talked me out of buying a roadster* and we put the money toward the house instead.

So, I have the 3rd gen Prius, Prius v, CT200h, used Miata, used S2000, and 2012/13 Toyota FT-86 all on my radar. I have no idea who will win the battle because I love fun-to-drive cars but I know how stupidly impractical they can be. I'm pretty sure I'm bipolar when it comes to cars. haha

* The plan was to have the well used Miata or S2000 until the Toyota/Subaru joint venture RWD coupe came out. My wife said it was stupid to buy a car and turn around and sell it for another one when the FT-86 came out. I couldn't argue her logic.
 
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