Test Lexus CT 200h, compact, hybrid and sports (part I)

The Lexus Ct 200h is gorgeous in this pearly white color

The Lexus CT 200h is a compact car powered by a hybrid engine . This car is the most affordable way to own a Lexus . It stands out for its luxurious feel and quality, smooth operation, and low fuel consumption. Its price is quite reasonable considering the type of car it is . It's not particularly spacious for passengers, and the trunk loses some capacity due to the hybrid system's batteries . It has a fairly sporty driving feel, although its performance is average , bordering on modest.

Exterior design

El Lexus CT 200h It is a car that externally goes relatively unnoticed among the rest of the traffic. Its forms are not very striking but they are attractive. Personally, I find the pearly white of this unit beautiful in combination with the 17” anthracite wheels (standard on the "Anniversary" version). This is a compact with a fairly typical line but with details that denote that It is not a general model.
The body in black color is much more discreet and less pleasant, for my taste.

The dashboard of the Ct 200h looks like that of a spaceship… like most hybrids

Interior design

El interior of the Lexus CT 200h seemed good to me, with a very successful quality look and feel.
It's not a particularly spacious car compared to the competition, but it's not a serious problem either. The front seats are very good, with hard seats that hold the body very well and with upholstery that looks very resistant. The biggest drawback is that inexplicably they do not have lumbar regulation. The interior upholstery is quite warm, I suppose that the predominant black color facilitates that impression. The roof is also upholstered in black.

The rear seats, as I mentioned, are a bit narrower than usual, although two people will travel comfortably. They're also slightly raised compared to the front seats, which will delight children (and adults alike) by giving them a better view of the road and their surroundings. However, this raised position does reduce headroom, though it does offer more legroom. I've tried them out, and traveling in them is quite comfortable.

Slightly chunky but sporty looking dashboard

I like the driving position . At first, the enormous center console, which houses the gear selector and a multimedia CD radio that looks like it came from a high-end Lexus ... but from 15 years ago, seems to get in the way. Whoever "embedded" it there must have thought that all the functions would always be controlled from the touchscreen or other buttons... it certainly doesn't fit.

The steering wheel has a very pleasant feel with a thick, padded rim. The areas within easy reach are covered in nice materials, although I personally don't like the overly shiny aluminum on some elements (such as the gear knob). This shine looks "artificial" and detracts somewhat from the rest of the car.

The front seats collect the body very well although they do not have lumbar adjustment

As I mentioned before, the center console is the largest I've seen in a long time, and at first, the sheer number of controls is disconcerting. Over time, you get used to such a wide console, and using the controls becomes more intuitive. Depending on the trim level, it may include the 8-inch screen shown in the image and the controller (similar to a PC mouse) that operates it . The proliferation of multimedia devices in cars has been a much-discussed topic. The Lexus CT 200h is overflowing with them , and using something resembling a mouse while driving can be a bit risky. Of course, touchscreens aren't much better...

This “ Anniversary ” version features a number of very nice interior details such as carbon fiber inserts , illuminated heel plates (with the word “Lexus” in blue) and colored ambient lighting, among other things.

More info: Lexus CT 200h, candidate for CAI Internet Car of the Year 2012