Lexus CT 200h SE-L Premier 5dr Car Review - April 2012

The driving experience for the CT 200h is what stops it from really being a very good car, and the main issue here is that the suspension delivers a very firm ride that transmits every bump and pothole into the cabin. The steering is also fairly inert, although it does respond well enough, and the car does have plenty of grip and remains very stable while cornering. The driving position is fine and the seat and steering wheel both boast plenty of adjustment to suit the individual driver, and visibility is good too.

The hybrid engine is a reasonable unit that can deliver acceleration from 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds, but the main disappointment is that the acceleration in the mid range doesn’t respond quickly enough. The top speed of 113mph is also fine for motorway driving, although the cabin can get quite noisy when driving at speed when the petrol portion of the engine kicks in, with a fair amount of road noise too.

There is no mistaking the link between Toyota and Lexus when you see the CT 200h for the first time, with the front end typical of the cars that are produced by Toyota. The lines are clean and tidy, and the back end is nice with a small spoiler over the rear window, and tail light clusters that are split over the body and the boot door. Inside the cabin the trim is very nice and most of the plastics are well made, but this version comes with satellite navigation which introduces the remote touch control system, which adds complexity to the unit.

The level of equipment here is superb, with leather seats and alloy wheels being the basics of the kit that is on offer. The CD stereo is upgraded to include a multi CD changer and a hard disk drive, while power folding mirrors are also a classy touch. The power heated seats complement the climate control to help make a car that is comfortable whatever the temperature outside is.

The safety features included with the CT 200h are particularly impressive, with eight airbags in the cabin to look after the driver and passengers. There is also traction control and stability control that have both helped the car to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. Lexus can also boast a very impressive reliability record that will doubtless continue with this car.

The CT 200h is also a fairly practical car, with a reasonably sized boot, and a cabin that is quite spacious. Taller passengers may find the headroom in the back seats a little lacking, and the large centre console does have an impact on the legroom if there are three passengers in the back seat.

When you consider that the CT 200h is a family hatchback, there are some people who will find the purchase price of £30,950 to be difficult to stomach. This is particularly the case when you consider that many other manufacturers make cars that are just as luxurious for a lower purchase price.

The hybrid engine on which the CT 200h is based does deliver good fuel efficiency, with an average 68.9mpg. The competitive insurance group does mean it is reasonable to insure, but the car does suffer from relatively poor resale values. The CT 200h is supplied with three years’ roadside breakdown assistance, and also has a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty.