Green with envy: Lexus CT200h

IT is derived from the car everybody thinks of when they think hybrid but the Lexus CT200h is a slightly different prospect from Toyota's Prius.

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IT is derived from the car everybody thinks of when they think hybrid but the Lexus CT200h is a slightly different prospect from Toyota's Prius.

Hybrids have moved a fair way from their world-saving worthiness rationale. These days they are starting to tout style, status and even sporty aspirations. They rarely live up to that last claim but if you want something that makes you look good on the street, the CT200h ticks the boxes.

Design
 
This is the first hatch to wear a Lexus badge and, though it stays within the conservative styling boundaries of the brand, it has been given more street presence.

The hatch lines are lifted by the rakes of the front and rear screens. On the tested F-Sport spec, darkened alloys play up to the mesh grille and lower fascia detailing.

Inside is a snug cabin - supposedly a five-seater but really only four - with a premium feel to fit-out and features, among which the antiquated foot-operated park brake seems out of place.
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Technology

The CT200h uses the Prius's drivetrain, with a 73kW/142Nm, 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 60kW/207Nm electric motor, with a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels.

A regenerative system captures brake energy to feed charge to the battery. This is also the older, heavier (and cheaper) technology of a nickel-metal hydride unit rather than lighter and more efficient lithium-ion.

But it's not all Prius under there. The Lexus gives you four switchable driving modes: EV on electric motor solely; eco using both petrol and electric but limiting power and the drain of airconditioning; normal with both petrol and electric but fewer restrictions; and sport with higher engine revs and more power plus sharper steering.

It logs a 0-100km/h time of 10.3 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h - hardly startling but that's not the point. It's the fuel figure that is the main game: a claimed 4.1L/100km in mixed driving and, on testing, a 5.2L/100km finish after several days of combined highway, urban and CBD trips.
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Value

The CT200h starts at $39,990 but the F-Sport asks another $10,000 for the alloy wheels, leather sports seats, 10-speaker audio, satnav, reversing camera, body kit and sports suspension.

So what else is around at the compact end of the green-tinted field? Well, the Prius of course, and in top i-Tech spec for $45,990 - $4000 cheaper than the CT200h F-Sport.

But the Lexus beats it for fit-out and finish, not to forget badge status. Long gone are the days when A-listers would step on to the red carpet from the hybrid Toyota.

The newest rival is the Honda CR-Z, which draws about level with the Lexus on styling and driving, slips back on the luxury scale - and also on petrol economy at 4.5L/100km - but at $40,790 in top-spec will keep a sizeable amount of cash in your pocket.

But there's a lot of promise if you are up for a diesel. The BMW 118d five-door hatch is just over $46,000 with an eight-speed auto and returns 4.5L/100km, while the $36,990 manual Volvo C30 DRIVe with stop-start returns 3.9L/100km.
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Safety

It gets a full five-star crash rating, with active headrests, eight airbags (including knee bags for driver and front passenger), anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, brake assist for panic stops, plus traction and stability control.
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Driving

When it gets on the road, the driving modes give it something of a split personality. The electric-only Eco setting is the most frugal but is teeth-grittingly tedious anywhere except crawling in traffic snarls. The 2km range means you'll get through them without having idled away a tank of fuel.

The power-nanny normal setting is fine for city traffic but frustrating once you get up to free-flowing lane change speeds. For those who want some response from the car in those conditions, the power setting is the only place to be.

Of course, it's not exactly in the spirit of hybrid motoring to just think of the electric motor as a handy way to add torque when you want to go harder.

Under those conditions you could ask for more feel from the steering, and perhaps also a better sense of connection with the constantly variable transmission.

However, most buyers should have little complaint about the ride and handling because the little hybrid hatch turns out to be both comfortable and confident with deft cornering.

The downside is that if you drive like that all the time, it's going to destroy the fuel economy, which is supposedly one of the reasons for buying it. We finished with 5.9L/100km for an unscientific mix of driving - not the 4.1L official figure.
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Verdict
 
It has sporty looks and accessories but these alone won't add up to sporty performance. However, by combining appealing hatch styling, prestige fit-out and hybrid drivetrain, it will appeal to those for whom a Prius is no longer enough, to those who just want prestige looks without the prestige price tag.
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Lexus CT200h
Rating: 4 Stars
Price: from $39,990
Warranty: 4 years/unlimited km
Resale: 51 per cent
Service Interval: 12 months/15,000km
Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP
Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 73kW/142Nm; electric motor, 60kW/207Nm
Transmission: CVT, front-wheel drive
Thirst: 4.1L/100km, 91 RON, 95g/km CO2
Body: 5-door, 4-seat hatch
Weight: from 1370kg
Verdict:
We Love:  Affordable luxury with a green tint. Sharp looks, stylish cabin, outshines Prius.
We Loathe: Cabin too snug for families, full auto too relaxed.