CALGARY, Alberta – Lexus has just introduced a new ‘gateway’ vehicle to their lineup. Considered the entry point for the brand, the CT 200h is meant to attract young upwardly mobile urbanites to the premium marque while also providing the older, “well to do” segment, with a highly practical luxury vehicle.
The three keys to success
Three key words define the CT 200h: handling, technology, style. These three targets were the focus during development. As a result, the car exhibits superior handling prowess, the latest in Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and the future iteration of Lexus’s L-Finesse design language.
There’s a fourth key to mention too, and it’s value. The CT 200h is tagged in Canada at $30,950, and depending on option packages, ascends to $39,350 for the chart topping Technology version. Independent of the option packages—referred to as Touring, Premium and Technology—the CT 200h is a well-equipped luxury car.
Key one: handling
Getting the ride-versus-handling equation right is a challenge in any car but it’s particularly tough when a smooth ride is essential due to the ‘luxury car’ status of the vehicle in question. It seems the eggheads at Lexus got it right.
This 5-seat sportback CT 200h delivers a highly composed and surprisingly absorbent ride quality that I thought was quite commendable for a vehicle that’s described by Lexus as “fun to drive”. The ride dynamics are taut and quite Euro-like but not at all harsh or intrusive.
Lexus set us free on a cone course to test the handling limits of the CT 200, and I came away impressed. The car is fairly tenacious in tight corners while responding predictably and immediately despite noticeable body lean due to the forgiving nature of the suspension.
While on the topic of underpinnings, the CT 200h felt solid and tightly assembled when road abuse was encountered; and in general terms, the car is remarkably quiet. Very little road or wind noise permeates the cabin, even at high speeds on wet pavement with snow tires.
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| Lexus has just upped the ante and put the others on notice with their luxury hybrid sportback, an industry first. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
The three keys to success
Three key words define the CT 200h: handling, technology, style. These three targets were the focus during development. As a result, the car exhibits superior handling prowess, the latest in Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and the future iteration of Lexus’s L-Finesse design language.
There’s a fourth key to mention too, and it’s value. The CT 200h is tagged in Canada at $30,950, and depending on option packages, ascends to $39,350 for the chart topping Technology version. Independent of the option packages—referred to as Touring, Premium and Technology—the CT 200h is a well-equipped luxury car.
Key one: handling
Getting the ride-versus-handling equation right is a challenge in any car but it’s particularly tough when a smooth ride is essential due to the ‘luxury car’ status of the vehicle in question. It seems the eggheads at Lexus got it right.
This 5-seat sportback CT 200h delivers a highly composed and surprisingly absorbent ride quality that I thought was quite commendable for a vehicle that’s described by Lexus as “fun to drive”. The ride dynamics are taut and quite Euro-like but not at all harsh or intrusive.
Lexus set us free on a cone course to test the handling limits of the CT 200, and I came away impressed. The car is fairly tenacious in tight corners while responding predictably and immediately despite noticeable body lean due to the forgiving nature of the suspension.
While on the topic of underpinnings, the CT 200h felt solid and tightly assembled when road abuse was encountered; and in general terms, the car is remarkably quiet. Very little road or wind noise permeates the cabin, even at high speeds on wet pavement with snow tires.
 |
| The ride dynamics are taut and quite Euro-like but not at all harsh or intrusive. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |