2017 Lexus CT 200h New Car Test Drive and Review - Automotive News

2017 Lexus CT 200h New Car Test Drive and Review

INTRODUCTION

The Lexus CT 200 h compact five-door hatchback composite has changed little since its 2011 debut, and it carried into the 2016 modeling year with minor peculiarity revises, a freshly optional moonroof, and a brand-new chrome grille border.

The Lexus CT 200 h is a rarity in today's marketplace: a small indulgence hybrid hatchback. It's the smaller, lowest-priced modeling in the Lexus lineup, melding impressive gas mileage with a sporty reference.

Fun to drive in Sport mode, the CT 200 h is a likable and practical hatchback that handles decently. In real-world driving, 40 -mpg gasoline economy is readily achievable.

Sitting low-spirited on 17 -inch wheels, the CT 200 h has an forceful profile, with appropriate chrome pare and a long, flat roof that ends in a spoiler. Next to the CT 200 h, many similar-size economy cars search drab and dull.

A 1.8 -liter four-cylinder gasoline instrument , rated at 98 horsepower, works with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Powertrain output totals 134 horsepower. Basically, it's a Prius powertrain, but in a more refined modeling.

Dual motor-generators can propel the car without the gas instrument at low-spirited accelerates. They too add torque to supplement gas-engine output. Ultimately, they serve as generators to recharge the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, located under the rear loading deck. Drive Mode selection offers four options: Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport.

Gas mileage is where the CT 200 h shines brightest. No other indulgence compact comes anywhere close to its EPA estimate of 42 mpg Combined city and route driving.

Stylish two-tone interior pare, bolder than in other Lexus representations, may be accented by bamboo, black wood, or ash burl. In addition to the basi modeling, an F Sport edition features special suspension tuning, as well as a variety of appearing additionals.

Standard equipment is bountiful, and the CT 200 h has an extended option index, including active-safety boasts. Options include a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, heated front seats, parking assistance, in-mirror rearview camera, sailing, pre-collision caution, and radar sail ascendancy. Numerous alternatives may be purchased in containers.

The CT 200 h gets top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which referred it a Top Safety Pick Plus.

LINEUP

Two trim degrees are offered: CT 200 h ($ 31,250) comes with keyless kindling, Bluetooth voice and audio streaming, satellite radio, automatic headlights, heated reflects, and the Lexus Safety Connect emergency alert system. Likewise standard are a rear spoiler, NuLuxe-trimmed sits, ability front seats, and six-speaker audio.

CT 200 h F-Sport Special Edition ($ 32,980) comes with machined-finish 17 -inch wheels, a slightly lowered F Sport-tuned suspension, mesh grille, larger rear spoiler, and aluminum pedals. Tushes may be trimmed with black NuLuxe or perforated leather.

WALKAROUND

When initiated, the CT 200 h happened across as a slab-sided five-door hatchback with a handsome, sporty figure. Front-end refresh for 2014 included a spindle-style grille, but changed good-for-nothing in the CT's straightforward profile. All the styling ingredients seem to work together effectively.

With its low-grade roof and dense mainstays, the CT 200 h mergers two concepts: the company's flowing L-finesse design language, and a saucy, semi-aggressive hatchback determine. Wrapping into the rear mainstays, the back opening has a particularly bizarre figure. A long spoiler pushes the roofline above the abbreviated tailgate, while thinly tapered taillights give a tight mark.

INTERIOR

Attractive and functional, the CT 200 h hut is primarily luxurious as well. Just a glance at the wealth of grip, swaps, and flaunt screens demonstrates that the CT is a feature-packed indulgence vehicle, despite its compact dimensions.

Front benches are dense, supporting and spacious, helped by magnanimous headroom. Because the CT is lower and shorter than a Toyota Prius, the motorist gets a low-grade sit point, though that can enhance the sporty appear. Legs wind up widened farther than they would be in an upright-oriented vehicle.

Back benches offer acceptable, but scarcely expansive, space. Taller equestrians may struggle for solace. Cargo space is limited by the high-pitched onu storey, which covers the artillery parcel. Stuff in one too many grocery bags and the rearward deem through the slit-like tailgate opening starts to wither.

Only a few flecks of hard plastic detract from the rich substances caliber on the wide-cut console and well-laid-out dashboard. Lexus supports plentiful storage for sundry components, but back-seat inhabitants lack cupholders.

DRIVING IMPRESSION

Adapting hybrid hardware from "the worlds largest" Toyota Prius, the CT 200 h arouses an element of driving commotion into the hatchback's miserly fuel economy. Lexus operators modified the powertrain to provide a more satisfying, stylish street ordeal.

Driven gently, in Normal mode, the CT feels neither stylish nor energetic. In Sport mode, it feels more animated; but that additional energy is accompanied by startling machine shriek. Even when pushing lightly on the accelerator pedal, Sport mode caters full electric expedite. As a cause, the CT 200 h feelings friskier than its 10 -second 0-60 mpg acceleration time might suggest.

If you are able to discount the engine audio at higher accelerations, it's surprisingly fun to drive. Not simply does Sport mode vary and be enhanced powertrain demeanor, it alters the basic supremacy gues into a red-encircled tachometer for the gasoline machine. At lower accelerations, with a light-headed loading, the electric motor can operate the CT 200 h separately of the gas machine, at accelerations up to 25 mph.

European-style chassis tuning, with a firm exclusion, signifies CT 200 h roadholding flogs any Prius model. Electric power steering is on the numb slope, though the CT is agile and responsive, able to make curves crisply. Sport mode contributes a little bit more street tone. Either channel, passengers will notice little pavement harshness.

Except for machine noise, along with regular steady-speed droning, the CT 200 h is quiet on the road. Virtually no gust or street rackets enter the compartment. A endlessly variable transmission moves supremacy to the front wheels, with no paddle shifters to simulate the gears in a conventional transmission.

Even shorter drivers get a good vistum towards the front. Despite a shallow back opening and thick ceiling pillars, rearview visibility is good, extremely.

Fuel economy is hard to beat, EPA-rated at 43/40 mpg City/ Highway.

SUMMARY

Lexus chipped the base toll for 2016, shaping the moonroof a $1,100 alternative, and the CT 200 h is delicately furnished for simply past $33,000( including destination attack ). Options are numerous, though, and is very easy to boost the full amounts of the to $40,000 or more. For buyers who demand excellent economy, but dislike the drab nature of numerous composites, the encouraging CT 200 h can be a show. A redesign is expected in the next year or two.

Driving intuitions by John Voelcker, The Car Connection. James M. Flammang contributed to this report.

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Source      : Autoblog.com