I was able to review the incredibly fuel efficient 2014 Lexus CT200h hatchback this week. The CT200h shares the 134 horsepower hybrid powertrain with the Prius, consisting of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, two electric motor/generators and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The continuously variable automatic transmission, though uninspiring, is amazingly smooth and transparent. Working together, the CT200h is good for an EPA estimated 42 mpg in combined driving (43 mpg city, 40 mpg highway).
The Lexus CT200h is so fuel efficient that when the car was delivered with a full tank of gas the in-dash range meter alerted me that I had enough fuel to cover 436 miles. After five miles of spirited back roads driving from my house to the Jacksonville Zoo, the range meter adjusted itself to inform me that I now had 437 miles left before empty!
I can honestly say that I have never strung the words “luxury compact hatchback” together in a sentence before, but in the case of the 2014 Lexus CT200h it really works. The car is small, with only 14.3 cubic feet of rear cargo space and rear legroom limited to 32.9 inches, but Lexus provides excellent front seat legroom and plenty of headroom for everyone in the vehicle.
Lexus has earned a reputation for quality and the 2014 Lexus CT200h does not disappoint. From the flawless Redline paint, standard power moonroof and 17 inch alloy wheels to the long wearing NuLuxe synthetic leather interior, 10-way adjustable drivers seat and premium six speaker audio system, the CT200h is most definitely a luxury car in the Lexus tradition.
The well-equipped 2014 Lexus CT200h starts at $32,050. The car I tested, which included the premium package that added navigation, heated seats, a 10 speaker audio system, rain-sensing wipers, and the intuitive park assist, retails for $37,850.
From AutomotiveAddicts.com Publisher, Malcolm Hogan-
I can remember my first time with the Lexus CT200h as a 2011 model. It was a certain improvement and true Lexus form apart from the doomed HS250h. The newer 2014 Lexus CT200h builds upon the hybrid principles that Toyota instilled in American culture as the go-to mainstream hybrid with the best fuel consumption. The brand has taken what is good about the Prius and molded it into a luxury hybrid that is aesthetically pleasing to enthusiasts as a hatchback who want a much more balanced chassis and up scaled nature. The 2014 Lexus CT200h is just that, utilizing the prized Prius drivetrain with a true Lexus touch to add an over-all luxury appeal. Even though power deliver could see an improvement, the CT200h still begs to ask enthusiast if there is any other luxury hybrid in this price range that looks so well doing what it does best, and that task is consistently returning astonishing fuel consumption numbers of 43 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
