All the glory has been absorbed by the Toyota Prius in the compact hybrid sector and there is no denying that it is an excellent car, possessing enough of ‘the right stuff’ to make its relevance rule supremely. Of course, as the market innovator and motivator back at the start of this Millennium, since when it has become the world’s best-selling hybrid model, it is almost too easy to ignore the fact that the Lexus CT200h is actually a more luxurious but equally impressive upgrade of the mainstream Prius.
As the gateway model to the Lexus range, the CT200h range has been rationalised to make it simpler for customers to navigate with just three primary grades, plus a concise choice of option packs. It is a methodology that Lexus has adopted for both its forthcoming UX compact crossover and the existing ES executive saloon. Therefore, the entry model is simply the CT, joined by the performance-inspired F Sport and, at the top of the range, Takumi.
All versions benefit from Lexus Safety System+, featuring Pre-Collision System, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Sway Warning, in other words updating to current pan-European safety and driver aids levels. However, the equipment breakdown for each model in the range is as follows:
CT (priced from £25,150)
- 17.0-inch alloy wheels
- Lexus Navigation with 7.0-inch display
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Dual-zone climate control
- Rain-sensing wipers.
CT F Sport (priced from £27,150, in addition to CT specification)
- F Sport 17.0-inch alloy wheels
- F Sport spindle grille with black metallic mesh
- Black door mirror housings
- Sports-tuned suspension
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- F Sport steering wheel
- F Sport aluminium pedal set
- Rear privacy glass
CT Takumi (priced from £31,250, in addition to CT specification)
- Sunroof
- LED headlights
- Lexus Premium Navigation
- Mark Levinson premium audio system with 13 speakers
- Front and rear parking sensors
CT option packs
Owners can give their CT 200h an upgrade, with a choice of option packs that add extra style, comfort and convenience features. Sport Pack (+£500), adds black 17.0-inch alloys, black door mirror covers and front grille and Tahara interior trim in Black and Dark Rose. The Tech Pack (+£750), available for the CT and F Sport, provides Lexus Premium Navigation (with a larger 10.0-inch display), LED headlights with automatic levelling, Automatic High Beam function and headlamp washers.
The Premium Pack (+£1,000) for the CT grade model introduces smart entry, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and supple Tahara upholstery. Meanwhile, the Takumi Pack (+£4,850), offered on the F Sport, majors on top quality features that include a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, Lexus Premium Navigation, sunroof, power-adjustable F Sport front seats, with leather upholstery, Naguri trim inlays and LED headlights with Automatic High Beam.
The 2019 versions of the CT 200h retain the self-charging hybrid-electric powertrain, delivering a smooth, refined drive, with excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions. The combination of 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and a compact and powerful electric motor/generator produces a maximum output of 134bhp/100kW. Driving through a seamless E-CVT automatic transmission, it returns official combined cycle figures of 64.2mpg and 101g/km (when fitted with 17.0-inch alloy wheels). Operated in EV mode, the CT 200h can be driven for short distances on its electric power alone.
