Lexus is big in hybrid model offerings with over 500,000 sold globally since they were first introduced in 2005.
The RX400h replaced in 2009 by the RX450h SUVs has been their most popular accounting for over half their sales and followed by the CT 200h, the World’s first full hybrid luxury hatchback with 122,000 sales.
In the UK there have been 32,700 Lexus hybrid sales and the CT 200h five door hatchback range accounts for about 25 per cent of that total.
The CT 200h has just received its 2013 model year updates with a new equipment grade line-up. With prices ranging from £21,995 to £30,995 the line-up consists of S, SE, Advance, Luxury, F Sport and Premier versions all powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor. All versions offer sub 100g/km of CO2 emissions which Lexus claims gives the the lowest cost of ownership in their class with zero cost road tax, London Congestion Charge exemption and only a 10 per cent Benefit-in-Kind company car tax penalty.
Although the CT 200h compact five door hatchback appeals to retail customers moving to the Lexus brand for the first time, it specifically is targeted at fleet/business users because of its low tax costs. A company car driver incurring the 20 per cent tax rate will pay between £36 and £51 per month in Benefit-in-Kind tax depending on which level of specification is chosen. The business user in the 40 per cent tax bracket will pay between £73 and £103 a month. Officially in the Combined Cycle most versions of the CT 200h will return 68.9mpg.
Back to the latest changes for the 2013 model year CT 200h line-up. There are some small, but attractive equipment changes with the realignment of the grade structure. The most notable are: Premier level replaces SE-L Premier and gains a DAB digital tuner and electric front passenger seat adjustment. F Sport likewise adds an electric passenger seat control plus Smart Entry and Start. Luxury (replacing SE-L) adds power-folding door mirrors and Smart Entry and Start. The new SE level replaces SE-I and benefits from power-folding door mirrors. All these models come with a revised front armrest with additional soft padding.
The satellite navigation system that is available as an option for SE, Luxury and F Sport models and is standard on the Premier grade, now comes with a DAB digital tuner and single-disc DVD player.
The price entry £21,995 S variant is new to the line-up and is ‘specced’ to appeal to the fleet sector being the cheapest to buy, the most fuel frugal and offers the lowest cost in BIK tax. The mid-range Advance version costing £24,495 is probably a good variant for retail buyers to consider given its price.
The most notable memory of the latest CT 200h was not its 48.2mpg real life test drive fuel economy, its high specification and impeccable build quality, its sharp and sporty styling, but it’s very poor and very uncomfortable ride quality. Despite its two driving modes of Dynamic or Relaxing the suspension was ridiculously firm and not helped by the 17-inch wheels fitted to my test Premium specification variant.
The uncompromising suspension settings just didn’t allow the car to settle over our poor road surfaces. On smoother motorways, where I suspect most mileage will be covered by company car users, the ride wasn’t too bad but the noise intrusion from the tyres into the car was tiresome. The steering didn’t offer much in the way of feedback either which made the whole uncomfortable and jittery driving experience not one to be recommended.
The CT 200h uses the same petrol/electric hybrid powertrain as the similarly sized Toyota Prius; in fact one of my journalistic colleagues described the CT 200h as a Toyota Prius in a ‘posh frock with a designer label’. A bit harsh but sadly with an element of truth.
The second generation Lexus hybrid system for the CT 200h uses a 1.8-litre VVT-i, four cylinder petrol engine producing 98bhp in conjunction with an 81bhp electric motor giving a total system output of 134bhp. Engine torque is 105lb ft from 4,000rpm but the electric motor gives 153lb ft of torque as soon as it starts spinning. Drive to the front wheels is through a power sapping CVT automatic transmission which can be noisy under load during acceleration.
Top speed is a modest 112mph and zero to 62mph takes 10.3 seconds. There is the choice of three on-demand driving modes, EV (electric only) Eco and Sport. Most of the time I left the car in Eco mode which marginally dulled acceleration but provided a relaxed and the best fuel efficient performance for main roads and motorways. The EV mode will give up to a mile of travel until the engine cuts in to charge the electric system.
The hybrid’s energy management system controls the input from the petrol engine and electric motor to meet the demands placed on the system by the driver. It also controls the harvesting of power during deceleration and braking when the electric motor works as a generator providing electric power into the nickel-metal battery pack.
The instrument display changes in its lighting colour from blue to green informing the driver of what the system is doing and how fuel efficiently the driver is performing.
I am quite happy to use hybrid system cars because the best of them integrate hybrid technology into the petrol/diesel drivetrain as a boost for performance and to save fuel with lower emissions when appropriate.
I am not in favour of hybrid systems which are focussed too much on achieving unrealistic fuel economy, really low CO2 figures solely for tax reasons and compromise the driving performance pleasure. The CT 200h’s road test fuel consumption of 48.2mpg reflects the realistic way of driving for most busy drivers but is less than can be achieved by modern, cheaper and readily available 1.6-litre turbodiesel engines in this C-segment family hatchback market sector.
VERDICT
With its refreshed and sharp sporty styling changes, high specification, well equipped interior and of course being a Lexus it’s all beautifully put together, the CT 200h is a Lexus through and through. But the benefits of the hybrid source of power is less compelling when it comes to the driving experience and the same applies to the purchase price and the really uncomfortable ride quality.
MILESTONES
Lexus CT 200h Premier Hybrid 5-Door Hatchback. £30,995 (Range starts at £21,995).
Drivetrain: 1.8-litre petrol, 4-cylinder, 98bhp, 105lb ft engine coupled with a 81bhp electric motor giving a combined operating 134bhp power output, CVT auto transmission with EV, Eco and Sport modes.
Performance: 112mph, 0 to 62mph 10.3 seconds, 68.9mpg Combined Cycle (48.2mpg on test), CO2 94g/km, VED road tax £0, BIK company car tax 10%. Insurance group: 19E.
Dimensions/capacities: L 4,320mm, W 1,470mm, H 1,440mm boot/load space 375 to 965-litres.
For: Classy premium 5-door hatchback, sporty styling, beautifully made and put together, high class interior with high specification, low taxes for retail and business users.
Against: A very hard and uncompromising ride quality, lifeless steering, stodgy acceleration, noisy power sapping CVT transmission, high road noise intrusion, only available as a hybrid with no petrol or diesel only engine options.
