Test: Lexus CT 200h Sport Premium
Test Drive

Test: Lexus CT 200h Sport Premium

True, most of the route goes downhill, but still: 12 kilometers without a drop of gasoline, including travel and parking in the city center. Yes, this is the essence of such hybrids: everyday use of gasoline plus environmental friendliness for city residents. This is how it is, at least on paper. What does practice say about the Lexus CT200h?

Lexus has a lot of experience with hybrid cars (not surprising as it is a brand associated with Toyota). RX, LS, GS… You can find a hybrid version of all of this, but not a diesel one. So it's understandable that almost the only Lexus without a hybrid version is now IS in which you can get diesel. On the other hand, this is CT, which is only available as a hybrid.

The technology under the skin is mostly familiar: a 1,8-litre petrol engine coupled with a battery right behind the rear seats and an electric motor – and of course all the electronics needed to run things.

Behind the wheel, its operation is completely invisible, at least until you decide to show what is happening in the drive part of the car on a large LCD with a color center. The petrol engine is not among the more powerful - quite the contrary, since it can produce just 73 kilowatts, or just under 100 "horsepower" (compared to the same volume in Toyota, which can produce almost 50 percent more), and the combination with an electric motor gives a total of 136 "horsepower".

It is true that the sound insulation is good and it is true that the electric motor with its huge torque makes the CT brighter than the numbers on paper claim, but still: when accelerating, the engine often jumps to high revs (power range on display), driving efficiency means about four thousandths or more revolutions) and this is especially noticeable when driving on the highway.

As with other similar hybrids, the CT200h adheres to a seemingly unusual truth: if you want to save fuel, drive around town. There, energy regeneration during braking and constant shutdown of the petrol engine ensure that the ride is comfortable for the driver's wallet. However, if you spend a lot of time on the track, don't expect miracles.

Consumption in tests stopped at 7,1 liters, and experience shows that this is about two liters cheaper than the consumption of a similar powerful all-petrol car. In the city, the difference is much greater - the CT200h needed less than six liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (also because you can turn it, at least a kilometer or two, into an all-electric car) by pressing the EV button. (and again: under the same conditions of use) this figure would quickly increase by three or more liters.

This is the case with such hybrids: they are more profitable in terms of consumption and emissions, but what difference depends not only on the right foot of the driver, but (above all) on what the car is intended for.

So just wondering how sporty the chassis settings are. Electromechanical power steering is not the best option for precise cornering, but it works quite well there, as does the rest of the chassis. This shows its limitations on bad roads, when there are too many bumps under the wheels for a car that is so distinctly comfortable and family oriented. This is partly due to the low profile tires, and partly to the chassis settings.

And that this Lexus is all about a family car, but ultimately designed for more everyday (which usually means urban) use, is also confirmed by the rest of the car. In the trunk, for example, there is an additional, rather large hole under the bottom (first aid, two or three pairs of inline skates or skates and a bag with a laptop can easily fit in it), but it is not very large.

Its problem is in a shallow depth - if you put a package with one and a half liter bottles (for example, with water) vertically, they will be higher than the height of the roller shutter designed to cover luggage. Enough length and width, bends at depth.

Passengers feel much better. In addition to being quiet in the car and the ride more comfortable due to the lack of classic gears, it should also be noted that it sits well (just wish the driver's seat had been lowered a bit more). materials and workmanship are (expected) top notch, plus room for two adults up front and a child in the back, Lexus doesn't deviate from class criteria in this one.

There is also plenty of room for small items, and the dimensions are even more different from the Lexus. To the left of the large speedometer is the efficiency meter, and while the needle is in the Eco range? or Charge are surrounded by a blue glow that goes out when you enter the Power area.

Okay, green would be the more logical choice, but still. When switching to sport mode, the gauges start to show a kitschy red color and when we add a lot of indicator lights to everything that look like they came from the dashboard of the previous millennium (say for cruise control, EV mode...) it's final the result is rather “confusing”.

Depending on the car and brand, Japanese designers could use a single LCD screen instead of sensors and paint whatever they wanted on it without the low resolution white monochrome LCD on the right in addition to everything on the right. trip computer, but all its data disappears when the cruise control is turned on and is replaced only by a small SET (set).

Additional information is provided by the large screen, which is also designed for navigation, the Bluetooth phone interface and the audio system - it can more accurately display the energy flow in the drive system (the small display on the meters hides most of the information), as well as the history of consumption and recovered energy.

Here you can quickly see where you are wasting fuel unnecessarily. All of these functions are controlled by a controller in the center console. At first glance, this is a little inconvenient, but you can quickly get used to the controller - everything can be done only with the movement of the fingers, and the hand is always in one place.

All in all, this CT200h is a good choice for those who want eco-friendly automotive technology on the one hand, and prestigious badges on the nose on the other. Right now, there is no competition in this class, but when it does, life will be much harder for CT200h sellers.

Face to face…

Vinko Kernc: As unusual as it may be, you need to get used to it. As the first such small Lexus and the first station wagon of the brand, they are still looking for looks, but that could also be a plus, as visibility is no longer a common automotive asset. And when you take into account the (again, unusual) interior and technically superior hybrid drive, it becomes clear: this smallest Lexus so far differs from all its direct competitors, but also very good.

How much is it in euros

Test car accessories:

Navigation system 2.400

Dušan Lukič, photo: Saša Kapetanovič

Lexus CT 200h Sport Premium

Basic data

Sales: Toyota Adria Ltd.
Base model price: 26.900 €
Test model cost: 35.500 €
Power:73kW (99


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 11,5 with
Maximum speed: 180 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 7,1l / 100km
Guarantee: 3 years or 100.000 8 km total and mobile warranty (first year unlimited mileage), 3 years warranty for hybrid components, 12 years for paint, XNUMX years against rust.
Systematic review 15.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials: 1.367 €
Fuel: 9.173 €
Tires (1) 1.408 €
Loss of value (within 5 years): 9.078 €
Compulsory insurance: 4.200 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +3.870


(
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up € 29.096 0,29 (km cost: XNUMX


€)

Technical information

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 80,5 × 88,3 mm - displacement 1.798 cm3 - compression 13,1:1 - maximum power 73 kW (99 hp) .) at 5.200 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 15,3 m / s - specific power 40,6 kW / l (55,2 hp / l) - maximum torque 142 Nm at 4.000 rpm min - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 4 valves per cylinder.


Electric motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 650 V - maximum power 60 kW (82 hp) at 1.200-1.500 rpm - maximum torque 207 Nm at 0-1.000 rpm.


Battery: 6,5 Ah NiMH rechargeable batteries. Transmission: Front wheel drive - CVT with planetary gear - 7J × 17 wheels - 215/45 R 17 W tires, rolling range 1,89 m.
Capacity: top speed 180 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10,3 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 3,9 / 3,7 / 3,8 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 87 g / km.
Transportation and suspension: limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc brakes, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels (left pedal) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,6 turns between extreme points.
Mass: empty vehicle 1.370 kg - Permissible gross vehicle weight 1.790 kg - Permissible trailer weight with brake: n.a., without brake: n.a. - Permissible roof load: n.a.
External dimensions: vehicle width 1.765 mm, front track 1.535 mm, rear track 1.530 mm, ground clearance 11 m.
Inner dimensions: front width 1.460 mm, rear 1.450 - front seat length 510 mm, rear seat 450 - steering wheel diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 45 l.
Box: The spaciousness of the bed, measured from AM with a standard set of 5 Samsonite scoops (scanty 278,5 liters):


5 places: 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (85,5 l)
Standard equipment: airbag for driver and front passenger - side airbags - knee airbag for driver and front passenger - curtain airbags - ISOFIX mountings - ABS - ESP - power steering - automatic air conditioning - power windows front and rear - rear-view mirrors with electric adjustment and heating - radio with CD player and MP3 player – Bluetooth connection to mobile phone – multifunction steering wheel – central locking with remote control – height and depth adjustable steering wheel – driver and front passenger seat height adjustable – split rear seat – trip computer.

Our measurements

T = 11 ° C / p = 1.032 mbar / rel. vl. = 36% / Tires: Yokohama DB Decibel E70 215/45 / R 17 W / Mileage status: 2.216 km


Acceleration 0-100km:11,5s
402m from the city: 18,0 years (


126 km / h)
Maximum speed: 180km / h


(selector lever in position D)
Minimum consumption: 4,2l / 100km
Maximum consumption: 9,5l / 100km
test consumption: 7,1 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h: 67,5m
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 40,8m
AM table: 40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear56dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear60dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear64dB
Idling noise: 0dB

Overall rating (338/420)

  • When you look at this Lexus, there are two things to keep in mind: Lexus also wants to be one of our most prestigious brands, and that the car is full of green technology. Then the price does not seem overpriced, and in the process of operation the car, despite minor flaws, is more than convincing.

  • Exterior (13/15)

    Quite athletic form that does not give a hint of organicity.

  • Interior (64/140)

    The CT200h loses the most points in the trunk, which is less due to the hybrid drive.

  • Engine, transmission (53


    / 40)

    Performance isn't this Lexus' strong suit, but it does stand out for the smoothness of the drivetrain with moderate driver demands.

  • Driving performance (64


    / 95)

    The fairly rigid chassis is good for cornering, but worse on uneven surfaces.

  • Performance (30/35)

    The electric motor torque is to blame for the Lexus being more alive than one might expect.

  • Security (40/45)

    There are many equipment including navigation and leather.

  • Economy (44/50)

    Fuel consumption is, of course, the main trump card of this car, and its price is not too high, considering everything that it offers.

We praise and reproach

production

materials

usability and consumption in the city

appearance

Equipment

insufficiently powerful gasoline engine

trunk

meters

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