Quick Drive: 2011 Lexus CT200h

[Road&Track]

Da jeg første gang så en 2011 Lexus CT200h på motorvejen jeg troede, det var en 2011 Mazda3 hatchback. For nogle vil det måske være negativ kommentar, men jeg kan lide den ser ud i Mazda3 hatch meget bedre end de sedan.

Da jeg fik mulighed for at tilbringe tid med en 2011 CT200h i sidste uge blev jeg ikke skuffet. Rigtigt, det har fået blandede anmeldelser, men jeg nød det meget mere end Honda CR-Z, som jeg kørte for et par uger siden. Selv om dens ikke virkelig fair at sammenligne de to, da der er en $10.000 prisforskel kunne jeg ikke hjælpe, men gøre sammenligningen. Den CT200h er større, har fire pladser, fire døre — men det er mere sporty.

I løbet af den tid jeg dykkede den CT200h det returnerede 39. 2 mpg i henhold til de biler, computer, hvilket var lidt værre mindre end den officielle EPA bedømmelser af 43/40mpg (by/motorvej). Hvad der virkelig overraskende er, at selv om Toyota Prius og Lexus CT200h deler den samme 134-hestekræfter (kombineret) hybrid system, med en 1. 8-liters motor, Prius bliver meget bedre brændstof økonomi. Selv om Prius er større, det er ikke helt så tung, som den CT200h, der tyder på, at Toyota lægger mere vægt på økonomi i Prius end i CT200h. Det giver mening for mig.

Som de fleste brændstof-nipper biler der er tre transmission indstillinger - økonomi, normal og sport. Naturligvis Sport-mode var mest sjovt, især som instrument panel belysning skifter fra blå til rød og hybrid power-indikatoren forsvinder for at blive erstattet af et tachometer. Pæn.

Alt i alt, jeg havde ingen klager over biler håndtering. Det er ikke rigtig en sporty kompakt, men så er det egentlig ikke foregive at være. I modsætning til andre, jeg kan ikke finde ud udseendet og fornemmelsen af CT200hs indre for at være foruroligende. Dem, der elsker at blive kælet for i den frodige indre af en Lexus LS 460 kan blive skuffet, selv om.

Jeg har tre kvababbelser over 2011 Lexus CT200h. Mængden af dækstøj var overraskende i betragtning af, hvor god Lexus har været på at isolere lyde i andre biler. Stammen er begrænset plads på grund af den høje væg-gulvtæppe, der er forårsaget af batteriet. Endelig, har jeg haft svært ved først at vænne sig til gearskifte-mønster. Siden hvornår giver det mening at flytte håndtaget fremad for at vende og tilbage for at køre?

2011 CT200h er nu de laveste omkostninger bil i Lexus lineup. Hvis du ønsker en Lexus sin et godt udgangspunkt. Hvis youre efter økonomi dog, Toyota Prius koster mindre, har mere plads i kabinen og giver bedre brændstof økonomi.

When I first saw a 2011 Lexus CT200h on the freeway I thought it was a 2011 Mazda3 hatchback. To some, that might be negative comment but I like the looks of the Mazda3 hatch much better than the sedan.

When I got the opportunity to spend time with a 2011 CT200h last week I was not disappointed. True it has been getting mixed reviews but I enjoyed it much more than the Honda CR-Z I drove a few weeks ago. Although its not really fair to compare the two, as there is a $10,000 price difference I could not help but make the comparison. The CT200h is bigger, has four seats, four doors — yet it is sportier.

During the time I dove the CT200h it returned 39. 2 mpg according to the cars computer, which was slightly worse less than the official EPA ratings of 43/40mpg (city/highway). Whats really surprising is that, although the Toyota Prius and Lexus CT200h share the same 134-horsepower (combined) hybrid system with a 1. 8-liter engine, the Prius gets much better fuel economy. Even though the Prius is larger it is not quite as heavy as the CT200h, which suggests that Toyota put more emphasis on economy in the Prius than in the CT200h. It makes sense to me.

Like most fuel-sipping cars there are three transmission settings – economy, normal and sport. Naturally the Sport mode was most fun, especially as the instrument panel lighting changes from blue to red and the hybrid power indicator disappears to be replaced by a tachometer. Neat.

Overall, I had no complaints about the cars handling. Its not really a sporty compact but then it does not really pretend to be. Unlike others, I did not find the look and feel of the CT200hs interior to be disconcerting. Those who love being coddled in the luscious interior of a Lexus LS 460 might be disappointed, though.

I have three gripes about the 2011 Lexus CT200h. The amount of tire noise was surprising considering how good Lexus has been at isolating sounds in its other cars. The trunk space is limited because of the high floor caused by the battery pack. Finally, I had trouble at first getting used to the gearshift pattern. Since when does it make sense to move the lever forward for reverse and backwards for drive?

The 2011 CT200h is now the lowest cost car in the Lexus lineup. If you want a Lexus its a good starting point. If youre after economy though, the Toyota Prius is less expensive, has more interior space and delivers better fuel economy.