- hatchback 70,887
- Austin, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- hatchback 70,887 gasoline red automatic
2011 lexus ct 200h review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Lexus refinement with prius hybrid power. introductionthe 2011 lexus ct 200h is an all-new five-door hatchback, or compact wagon, powered by a hybrid gas-electric powertrain. The ct 200h powertrain is taken from the prius. the lexus ct 200h looks like no other lexus, except from the front. The details of the design, trim and wheels are flawless. the ct 200h is actually 4 inches shorter than the prius, or the same overall length as the audi a3 wagon. Its shape looks more european than japanese, and its profile from all angles is very similar to that of the audi. The coefficient of drag is a low 0. 29, as much of the aero design was decided by wind tunnel testing. inside is a comfortable driving seat and a cozy cabin. The driving position was designed to enable easy access to the instrument panel and center stack, which is sloped at about a 45-degree angle. We found everything easy to reach. The steering wheel is slightly flat-bottomed, making climbing in and out a little easier. Rear-seat legroom is tight and cargo space is average for a compact sedan, but small for a hatch. Interior trim can be matte wood, silver metallic or bamboo. Still thinking of the environment, much of the plastic on the ct 200h is vegetable based. fuel economy is an epa-estimated 43 mpg city, 40 mpg highway. Other drivers got 30-35 mpg that day. Meanwhile, we watched the instantaneous fuel mileage, indicating that 40 mpg would take highly conscientious driving, with a very light foot. with the prius powertrain, the ct 200h makes 98 horsepower from the 1. 8-liter atkinson cycle gas engine and 80 hp 60 (kw) from the generator, for a total of 134 hp. That's not much, and 0-60 acceleration time of 9. 8 seconds, a lethargic pace, and same as the prius, reflects that. A driver may be lured into treating the car in a sporty manner, but the small engine and electronically controlled continuously variable transmission cannot respond to that urge. we were surprised and delighted to discover the ct 200h handles very well. The handling is wonderful, spirited and secure around corners. Ride quality is very good. The other keys to this impressive balance are a high level of torsional rigidity, a double-wishbone rear suspension, a low center of gravity, a centralized moment of inertia, and sophisticated performance dampers. The ct 200h benefits from a tight turning circle: it can make a u-turn in just 34. 2 feet, so city driving will be a breeze. Eco mode is good to an easy 25 mph. The premium audio package upgrades to a 6cd premium audio system with 10 speakers, rearview mirror with compass and homelink. the navigation package includes hdd navigation system, rearview camera, enhanced bluetooth, lexus enform with destination assistance, lexus insider, remote touch navigation controller, voice-command recognition, xm navtraffic and weather and sports and stocks, compass delete. the leather package features perforated leather-trimmed seats, memory for driver seat, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming outside mirrors with memory. safety features include frontal airbags, side and knee airbags in front, full-length curtain airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, whiplash injury lessening seats, safety connect with automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button and enhanced roadside assistance. Optional safety features include the rearview camera and the pre-collision system with dynamic cruise control. walkaroundone can't say that the lexus ct 200h looks like no other car, but it does look like no other lexus. Some would call it a hatchback. It's a five-door, or small wagon. Its overall length is the same as the audi a3 wagon, and its profile from all angles is very similar. The radio antenna adds to the coolness by being located there, rear center. It says hybrid on the side, in discreet but clear chrome letters. the only lexus badge is in front, inside the dark grille pushed forward of the headlamps, and its chrome badge. Lexus describes the nose much more vividly than we might: the grille incorporates a deeper, more sculpted interpretation of the l-finesse signature arrowhead motif, they say. The upper and lower grilles combine to form a unique spindle shape, bringing both bold simplicity and elegant dynamism to the very apex of the vehicle. the coefficient of drag is a low 0. 29, as much of the aero design was decided by wind tunnel testing. Computerized fluid dynamics, it's called. More attention to detail: there are no less than nine tweaks under the car, to smooth the airflow. the details are flawless, if not exceptional. Handsome 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, impressive headlights either with single halogen or twin led low beams, led drls, black lower airdam, tidy foglights, compact aerodynamic sideview mirrors, a neat chrome outline around the windows, black b-pillar to blend with tinted glass, body-colored door handles, wide rear door openings, led taillights with horizontal red brake-light stripes that curve around the edge of the car and up. The steering wheel is actually flat-bottomed, just a teensy bit, to get maybe an inch more knee room, climbing in and out. There's only 32. 9 inches of legroom back there. the cockpit grew on us, and felt less cramped by the end of the day, although not quite airy and spacious as lexus calls it. We appreciated such an easy reach to the controls on the panel. It's less distracting, thus safer. The center stack angles downward from the dash to the console, rather than dropping vertically; it's more of a center slope than a center stack. It must be part of the design to more highly focus the controls on the driver, or vice-versa. the view rearward is a bit pinched, as well. Lexus calls it highly tactile, but we'd just call it big and wide and chrome-looking. Or maybe it's just evidence that the car is not highly focused on shifting gears.
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