Lexus CT 200h Hybrid

[juan ruiz]

I can't freaking believe that I'm asking about this car but here goes, The wife needs a daily driver soon and she will drive 80 miles a day, I have narrow it down to the 2012 Lexus CT 200h Hybrid .

at 40/44 miles and somewhat sporty looking it loos like a good choice, any thoughts on this car? I drove the Ford Fusion and is just to plain Jane for us.

[vash]

My friends just got one. The love the sportyness, but feel the car is much smaller than their Prius. It is the only hybrid I like. But I don't have kids.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by vash

My friends just got one. The love the sportyness, but feel the car is much smaller than their Prius. It is the only hybrid I like. But I don't have kids.

My father is considering one of these over a prius for work, but hasn't gotten up close with one......if there's a noticeable interior capacity difference, that might be a problem though

[HardDrive]

Lexus has already pulled the plug on this model. You will be stuck with a short run model. We have a Lexus. Once it gets out of warranty, prepare for some serious pain in the repair department.

If you want a Lexus, get a CPO RX350. My wife loves her RX330.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Lexus has already pulled the plug on this model. You will be stuck with a short run model.

Yup..I was just about to say that. This model has been a major sales failure for Lexus.

I would offer a Ecotec E Class for a daily 80 mile commute...or a BMW 335 Diesel.

Yasin

[juan ruiz]

Funny they told me yesterday that the 2013 is on the way without any major changes

[Mark Howard]

I looked at this car as a commuter as well. It was also to be my daily driver and with two kids it was just too small. Really liked it though.

As I recall the salesman told me it was the ES Hybrid they discontinued, but I could be mistaken.

[kaisen]

The HS 250h sedan has been discontinued



However, with a 80 mile commute a Hybrid isn't necessarily the best fit.
A diesel will typically fare better on the longer freeway drives

BUT....there are several new small/mid gas models that will do 35-45 mpg on the freeway (the CT200h does 40) and avoid the additional cost of diesel fuel and diesel maintenance.

2013 Nissan Altima 2.5SL 38 mpg




2012 Chevrolet Cruze ECO 42 mpg




2012 Hyundai Elantra 40 mpg




2012 Ford Focus SFE 40 mpg




2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 42 mpg




When you calculate 25,000 miles per year (80 miles per day 5 days a week, plus another 100 on weekends) at $3.17 gas and $3.61 diesel (eia Florida data 7/2/12) at 90% freeway driving, and 10% stop-and-go, then you find that any of these cars will be within 10% of one another in total annual fuel cost. The Jetta TDI is most expensive at $2250 annual, simply because diesel fuel is more. The Cruze is the least expensive at $1950. Even the significantly larger and more powerful Altima only uses $100 more fuel each year than the little CT200h.

But math and logic aren't why Pelicans buy cars. Enjoy your $37K hybrid Lexus.

[porsche4life]

Seriously Eric? He is looking at the Lexus because the Prius isn't nice enough...... Don't think the Cruze is gunna cut the grade... Probably not the focus or elantra either....

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by kaisen

However, with a 80 mile commute a Hybrid isn't necessarily the best fit.
A diesel will typically fare better on the longer freeway drives

Most hybrids get the best mileage in town and not on the freeway, unless things have changed since I went to school for the Escape Hybrid.

[daepp]

I spent a day and a half with the CT 200h Hybrid - given to me as a loaner from the Dealer.

I was very impressed with how seamlessly the car transitioned from battery to engine and back.

It had enough power, but not that peppy.

It was the first hybrid I've ever driven.

[juan ruiz]

Eric, excellent explanation and comparison but as porsche4life stated those others cars are simple plain Jane cars, I'm not saying that the Lexus is a better choice but I think that is most attractive one in my opinion, I drove the Ford Fusion yesterday and is nice but is just unattractive just like the others you mentioned, the Lexus even have the F type . I'm just looking for something a little different. Don't forget the Audi A3 which everyone is choosing rather than the Lexus.

It was ironic that I meet an older lady at the Lexus dealership and she has the same dilemma all other cars they just look boring

[75'930cab]

I'm pretty sure the CT is not discontinued. It's the HS that's getting the axe.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Seriously Eric? He is looking at the Lexus because the Prius isn't nice enough...... Don't think the Cruze is gunna cut the grade... Probably not the focus or elantra either....

You haven't been inside a loaded Cruze or Focus then...they're really, really nice. Nicer than BMWs or Mercedes from ten years ago

It depends on your idea of "luxury"

I'm simply pointing out that a hybrid isn't always the best solution for freeway commuting and there are several new cars that get fantastic freeway mileage

It's back to the idea of paying $37K for a little hatchback to "save" all kinds of fuel costs, then when you put a pencil to it, you only save a couple hundred bucks a year. Might as well drive what you want. You couldn't spend $37K on a 2013 Altima 2.5SL if you tried..... one with EVERY option (as much "luxury" as the Lexus) is under $31K.

Lexus:


Altima:


Cruze:


Focus:

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by kaisen

But math and logic aren't why Pelicans buy cars. Enjoy your $37K hybrid Lexus.

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

It was ironic that I meet an older lady at the Lexus dealership and she has the same dilemma all other cars they just look boring

...

[juan ruiz]

Eric you bring some very good strong points here!

[aigel]

The Golf TDI and the A3 TDI (you already mentioned it) are options also that are sporty and good looking. I can't stand sedans. Go drive one - they have very nice torque, good road feel and the interiors / fit / finish are great. A well optioned Golf would save you more than 10k over the Lexus.

G

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

the Lexus even have the F type .

Yes, the F-type CT.

0-60mph in 10.4 seconds when the electric motor assists the 98hp gas engine to combine for a whopping 134 hp in a 3300 pound car. Whoooo!!!

Don't forget the 17" wheels!! And "sport tuned" suspension!

Here's what Edmund's Inside Line had to say about the CT200h F-tune:
2011 Lexus CT 200h Full Test and Video

"The CT rides on the firm side for a Lexus, and it seems incapable of soaking up sharp bumps with the resiliency for which other Lexus sedans are famous.

Because the 2011 Lexus CT 200h is meant to be a sporty hybrid, we felt it only prudent to see how it would perform on a mountain road. Turns out, a 3,240-pound hybrid with 59 percent of its weight resting on the front tires doesn't provide for an overly joyous experience. It's more fun than, say, walking, but there's nothing about it that resembles any sport-oriented car you can think of.

The combination of meager power, near-zero engine braking, weak brakes and a lack of steering feel means this car responds far from adroitly when you throw it into a corner. It doesn't do anything horribly wrong, but the lack of feedback from the powertrain, the chassis and the controls means you're just not 100 percent sure what the car is doing."

[kaisen]

If you DIDN'T know about brand image, which car looks more expensive? Sportier?

[juan ruiz]

This Lexus is looking more and more as a bad option LOL