Design Lexus CT 200h

Design Lexus CT 200h

Lexus is hoping that similar logic will win over buyers to the CT 200h, the world’s first and only entry-luxury segment sport hybrid hatchback. Unfortunately, buyers don’t shop by class — they cross-shop cars with similar attributes. That means the baby Lex is pitted squarely against the likes of the Audi A3 TDI and VW Golf TDI. As a hybrid, the CT can never escape the shadow of Toyota’s own Prius.

The CT offers three settings: Sport, Eco and Normal. I ignored Normal, swapping between Sport for around-town driving and Eco for traffic jams. Forget to turn the knob, however, and merging in Eco becomes an agonizingly slow, white-knuckle exercise in waking the laziest throttle I’ve ever encountered.

Engine Lexus CT 200h

As small cars can easily get lost in parking lots, Lexus helpfully painted our tester a fluorescent shade known as Daybreak Yellow Mica, a color apparently inspired by Neil Diamond’s onstage wardrobe. Otherwise, the CT is a handsome if somewhat nondescript vehicle. The flared rear fenders give the illusion of a foreshortened sedan, while the sloped C-pillar keeps it from looking too much like a Matrix.

Interior Lexus CT 200h

As Lexus defines it, the CT 200h is a great car. But cars can’t be judged in a single-vehicle class vacuum. If you’re interested in this car, I’d recommend you first take a trip down to your Audi dealer and try out the A3 TDI. With only slightly lower fuel economy numbers and a very similar MSRP, it’s the driver’s choice. A fully-loaded Golf TDI might not have the cachet of a premium brand, but it does have an optional stick shift. If it’s the all-important mileage number you’re after, load up a Prius to the gills, get 53 mpg on the highway and take a vacation with the money you save.