Lexus CT 200h Nominated for CAI BP Ultimate Internet Car of the Year 2012

We are almost at the door of choosing the CAI, Car of the Year on the Internet Ultimate BP 2012. The next model to analyze is the Lexus CT 200h. If you haven't voted yet, you can vote here and enter the draw for 100 checks of 40 euros in fuel. Do not miss the opportunity to participate in the election of the car preferred by Internet users!

The Lexus CT 200h is a compact powered by a hybrid engine. It stands out for having a certain luxury, the quality it offers, the smoothness of operation and the low fuel consumption. Its price is quite good considering the type of car we are talking about. It's not particularly spacious for the occupants, and the trunk loses some capacity due to the hybrid system's batteries. Have a quite sporty driving feel although its performance is normal, shooting modest.

The Lexus CT 200h is the most affordable way to get into a Lexus. Externally it goes relatively unnoticed among the rest of the traffic (which is not a defect), but on the other hand, inside we find a well-designed and very well cared for vehicle. Not a particularly spacious car compared to the competitionBut it's not a serious problem either. The passengers of this car are treated with care, surrounded by quality materials and powered by an impressively smooth engine, especially in town. The suspension is pulling hard and is perfectly complemented by a very agile reaction chassis, although it does not lose comfort.

The Lexus CT 200h is powered by a gasoline engine (Atkinson cycle) of 99 CV and an electric motor of 82 CV. As both do not give maximum power at the same time, the approved figure is 136 hp, with a consumption of 3,8 litres/100 km. The change is automatic and has various driving modes, from more sporty to more economical. It can also travel briefly in purely electric mode.

The city and the ring roads is his world. It is here where greater performance is obtained from the hybrid system, the greater the softness and the lower the consumption. On conventional roads and as we increase the pace, the car becomes more wasteful and less refined, although it is not bad at all.

Driving the Lexus CT 200h is quite an experience that makes you feel different from other traffic. It has its nice point when you calmly exit a crosswalk without making a sound (automatically in electric mode if the batteries are well charged), or when it runs so smoothly that if it weren't for the gauge you wouldn't be able to tell if the petrol engine is running or stopped. He also has his unpleasant point when, for example, you accelerate to ¾ power and the engine goes up to 5.500 RPM continuously until the car picks up speed. Either way, the car runs great, but I recommend any potential buyer to try it before buying it., in case you don't like the performance of the hybrid.

Since we are talking about the engine, its consumption is very low in the city, low in ring roads or dense and moderate traffic on open roads. Stepping on the accelerator with joy and at rates well above the legal one, we will hardly exceed 7,5 liters in any situation.

The equipment of the Lexus CT 200h is relatively abundant. The version that we have tested is the "Anniversary" that includes a navigator, multifunction screen, daytime running lights, 17-inch anthracite wheels, carbon fiber inserts, CD radio with CD changer, Bluetooth and USB connection, four electric windows, details luminous Lexus in blue, etc.

The price of the Lexus CT 200h starts at 29.000 euros and includes 9 airbags (two knee), ESP, complete on-board computer, active head restraints, climate, Bluetooth, mp3 with USB, etc.  In theory, the "Anniversary" version that we have tested costs even less (€27.500). as it is a limited series.

For this price, if you want a car that makes you feel different, the Lexus CT200 h is an option. A serious rival for Audi y BMW, although perhaps looking for a somewhat more mature client.