2011 Lexus CT 200h Is A Sporting Hybrid

Almost six months before it’s scheduled to hit American streets, Lexus wants you to know about its new 2011 CT 200h hybrid, the smallest such vehicle produced by Toyota’s upscale luxury line.

A five-door hatchback, the Lexus CT 200h has a good-size footprint in the automotive universe, looking slightly larger than the Toyota Prius and certainly affording its intended luxury clientele a number of attributes one can’t find on that machine. 

In a half-day drive in the mountains overlooking Palm Springs, I got to know the traits of this dichotomous creature, one that marries efficiency, luxury and – here’s the kicker – sportiness in excellent packaging. 

While its overall Lexus Hybrid Drive Powertrain output is certainly miserly at 135 horsepower (100 kW), the CT 200h accelerates to 60 mph in less than ten seconds.  On the other hand, it has a combined fuel economy rating of 42 mpg, one that my driving partner and I found quite valid.

Climbing from Palm Springs to Idyllwild (6,000 feet above sea level), mileage dropped precipitously from more than 45 mpg to around 24, but going down the hills on switchbacks, using the B setting on the shift lever that introduces engine braking and slows the car to a crawl, mileage climbed back up into the 40s and the highway jaunt back to our starting point increased the mpg’s to a healthy 42.9.

One of the interesting features being introduced on the 2011 Lexus CT 200h is its Dynamic Drive button, which changes the mapping of the engine/transmission (a CVT, of course) from SPORT to NORMAL to ECO to EV.  One can ratchet (or press) the knob in order to get the kind of driving response one needs, but the EV factor, fair warning here, is quite minimal and not up to Ford specs that gives electric running up to 47 mph in the Fusion hybrid. 

Interestingly, the electric power-assisted rack & pinion steering system’s feedback and damping qualities of the all-independent suspension change with each different setting on the CT 200h with use of the Dynamic Drive.  Shifts seem quicker, steering more responsive and damping more sporting in the Sport mode; the other three selections return exactly the response one would expect from their names and projected intentions.  The Lexus hybrid indicators become a welcome tachometer when the Sport mode is selected.

It is extremely quiet inside the Lexus CT 200h, thanks to the running gear and Lexus’ attention to detail where it pertains to noise, vibration and harshness.  It actually took some hunting to find the single exhaust beneath the chassis--I certainly couldn’t hear it.  Body rigidity is excellent and aids handling immensely.  Lexus is using a lower independent rear suspension that allows added space in the trunk for things we all need to carry, not just for the battery pack.  The trunk will hold 14.3 cubic feet of detritus, making it an excellent candidate for all driving endeavors.

The only holdback on lengthy drives is the size of the fuel tank at 9.9 gallons.  Of course, if you’re driving in the city, there’s always someplace to fill up; over the road, with mileage of 42+, this shouldn’t be a bother, but it’s one of those things most drivers might prefer--maybe another two gallons would help get the cruising range up a bit?

Keeping its occupants safe is a priority for Lexus, with eight standard airbags (knee protection for front seat occupants is included), an upgraded electronically controlled braking/regeneration system, antilock brakes, brake assist, traction control, vehicle stability control and a hybrid version of Lexus’ brake override system.  There is an optional pre-emptive pre-collision safety system that includes adaptive cruise control, as well.