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What if Toyota had constructed a Prius with higher inside supplies, a higher-quality audio system, extra enticing styling, and for good measure, to illustrate slightly more room for baggage? That sounds prefer it would possibly simply be the proper every day driver, supplying you with the practicality of a small wagon with the frugal fuel-sipping financial system of the Prius, and not one of the penalty-box inside that Prius house owners of the period have grown accustomed to. Trust me, I’m already conscious of the bigger cargo space of the Prius V, however I believe I’m simply getting too outdated to stay with that plasticky echo chamber. As luck would have it, Lexus launched a “posh Prius” about 15 years in the past.
I’m solidly middle-aged now, and my typical every day driver fare of too-stiff hatchbacks and sports activities automobiles has given strategy to hybrids with good leather-based. Though, in deference to my Millennial kid-at-heart sensibilities, I nonetheless are inclined to make them too stiff. With current gas costs fluctuating as much as ranges that make me assume twice earlier than deciding to go anyplace over the weekend, I believe something I every day drive ought to have a minimum of some battery energy, and after a pair a long time of driving nearly solely German automobiles, I may be prepared for some Japanese reliability.
The CT200h was launched within the U.S. for the 2011 mannequin 12 months with a 134-horsepower hybrid drivetrain. Based on the identical platform because the XW30-generation Prius, powered by the identical 2ZR-FXE 1.8-liter inline-four, and AC synchronous eCVT transmission (no handbook obtainable on this one), this was the lux/sport hybrid hatchback that Toyota by no means constructed, and it achieves 43 miles per gallon within the metropolis. With 3,131 kilos to haul round, nonetheless, the CT200h was hardly a spirited driver, posting a MotorWeek-tested 10.2-second 0-60 time (Car and Driver claimed 10.6 seconds).
Can one automotive do all of it?
Sharing a base platform with the Prius allowed Lexus to crib the drivetrain, however that platform additionally underpinned the Scion tC sports activities coupe of the period, permitting the precision luxurious model to stab a number of of these sportier suspension parts beneath the CT as properly. It’ll out-handle your common Prius by fairly a bit, although MotorWeek lamented the shortage of steering really feel for a automotive so properly sorted by way of the corners. Aside from the steering gripe, they did not have a lot to complain about, save a little bit of crashy suspension over tough pavement and NVH harshness at full throttle. How typically are you going full throttle anyway?
When new you may choice the $1,180 F Sport bundle, which included inside and exterior look enhancements, and a “sport-tuned suspension” pack, which included barely decrease and stiffer springs and thicker sway bars. These updates would give the CT higher grip by way of the corners and fewer physique roll, however no higher steering or acceleration. Life is transferring quick sufficient already, I might stand to attempt a slower tempo for some time anyway.
A 0-60 run within the mid-10s is not precisely steaming quick, which might be the primary concern you might need about shopping for considered one of these, proper? When Car and Driver examined the automotive they admonished its acceleration by saying it made the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta Ecoboost “look like NHRA Top Fuel dragsters.” That may be slight exaggeration, contemplating they examined the Fit’s 0-60 at 8 seconds and the Fiesta’s at 8.3, however two seconds is 2 seconds.
What do you have to search for?
If you ask my opinion, the CT200h is a trendy and frugal automotive that may be made to deal with fairly properly, however the steering is type of lackluster and the infotainment is dated. If you are not on the lookout for the type of acceleration that quickens your heartrate, it could possibly be the proper every day driver. There aren’t many issues that may go unsuitable with these machines, and each it and the Prius it’s primarily based on often see extraordinarily excessive mileage with out too many faults. There are some well-documented points with the EGR system, and hybrid batteries could require refurbishment by this level of their lifecycle, relying on mileage. Some Prius and CT200h house owners are discovering higher gas financial system and larger longevity by changing their unique NiMH battery packs with fashionable lithium, as properly.
The infotainment system within the CT was good for its time, however seems to be extraordinarily dated by at this time’s requirements. Thankfully there are replace kits to put in a contemporary touch-screen double DIN stereo head unit. I believe that might be my solely main gripe, primarily based on what I’ve seen of the automotive. A great set of wheels and a few good tunes, I’d be all set to go together with this machine each day.
Originally Lexus coated the hybrid drivetrain for 8 years and 100,000 miles, although even the most recent examples are beginning to fall out of that. If you’ll find an authorized pre-owned instance, they acquired a further two years of protection, with no mileage restrictions.
CT200h have been fairly dear when new, with a $32,960 base value in 2014 that would shortly balloon over the 40,000 greenback mark with choices. Today they’re getting fairly cheap, however count on to pay a minimum of $12,000 for a pleasant instance with beneath 100,000 miles.
Is it best for you?
If you are looking out for a CT200h, there are some things to remember. After all these years the Lexus “spindle” grille has turned from controversial to kind of enticing; the CT was the primary automotive to hold that company facelift in 2013, subsequently up to date in 2017 with a bigger spindle and full LED lighting. The F Sport bundle got here with totally different wheels and a bunch of F badges to distinguish, so it is simple to see at a look if a specific automotive is thus geared up. Visually, you will should resolve which works greatest for you. The submit 2013 facelifted automobiles acquired a bunch of different updates as properly, making that the one you in all probability need when you, like me, admire the spindle.
Lexus did construct a pair dozen examples for the Celebrity Challenge race (above) on the 2011 Australian Grand Prix, proving they will theoretically work as a monitor automotive, however I would not trouble if I have been you. This is not a quick or significantly enjoyable machine, relatively a pleasant comparatively lux every day driver that sips gas. It has dealing with that the majority Americans would describe as “zippy” and equate with being “on rails” but it surely’s hardly a sizzling hatch, or perhaps a lukewarm one.
If you may get previous all of that, you may get a fairly good automotive for not a ton of cash, and save your self a couple of bucks on the pump. I like the concept of a lithium battery swap for a extra helpful hybrid drive expertise, however I might in all probability look forward to the unique battery to degrade earlier than committing to it. I would have favored to have seen a plug-in hybrid model of this automotive, too, however alas we will not have all of it.
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