Introduction
The Lexus CT 200h is the hybrid version of Lexus' compact luxury car. It features four passenger doors and a hatchback, and sportier styling than is usually seen on hybrid models. It features a lower stance and a firmer suspension than its corporate cousin, the Toyota Prius, and is available in a single level of trim with many option packages available. The 2013 model carries over from 2012. The Lexus CT 200h competes mainly with other luxury fuel-savers, such as the Acura ILX Hybrid.
Exterior Features
The 2013 Lexus CT 200h is available in eight colors: white, pearl, silver, grey, red, agate, blue, and black. Standard are 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, and heated mirrors.
Interior Features
Standard interior features include vinyl upholstery, 10-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, 6-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity. Upholstery is available in black, ecru, or caramel. The CT 200h has 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Optional Features
The optional equipment on the 2013 Lexus CT 200h comes mainly in the form of packages, most of them cumulative to each other. The Seat Comfort package adds 4-way power to the front passenger seat, and heats both front seats. The Premium package adds an upgraded 10-speaker sound system and HomeLink universal transceiver, plus an integrated reversing camera and auto-dimming inside mirror. The Leather package adds leather upholstery, auto-dimming outside mirrors, sport-tuned suspension, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, and the Lexus memory system, but removes the heating feature from the front seats. The Navigation package restores heat to the front seats and adds a fully featured navigation system, but removes the sport suspension and rain-sensing wipers. Other Navigation packages restore those options. Optional accessories include F Sport sway bars, trident 5-spoke alloy wheels, and lowering springs; paint protection film; rear bumper applique; door edge guards; rear bumper protector; cargo liner, tray, net, and mat; illuminated door sills; premium carpeted floor mats; remote engine starter; glass breakage sensors; and wheel locks.
Under the Hood
The Lexus CT 200h is powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a combined output of 134 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft of torque. The powertrain is mated with a continuously variable transmission, and uses front-wheel drive. The driver may adjust the steering and the throttle response to their taste.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Lexus CT 200h are 43/40/42 mpg (city/highway/combined).
Safety
All 2013 Lexus CT 200h models feature front and rear side air bags, side curtain air bags, dual front knee air bags, anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, and traction control. The CT 200h features a proximity-notification system for cyclists and pedestrians, and Lexus' telematics service. Optional is a pre-collision system that includes adaptive cruise control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet released its safety ratings for the 2013 Lexus CT 200h. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the CT 200h received "Good" ratings--the Institute's highest--for frontal-offset, side-impact, and rear-impact crash protection, as well as for roof strength. Additionally, the Institute named the structurally identical Lexus CT 200h a "Top Safety Pick" in 2012.
Technology
The Lexus CT 200h employs parent company Toyota's pioneering hybrid technology. It also features a warning system for pedestrians and cyclists who might not hear the car approaching if it's running on electricity and not producing an engine exhaust note. The vehicle proximity notification system puts out a low sound, so subtle that it's hardly perceived as a noise. This sound changes in pitch to accord with the vehicle's acceleration and deceleration.
