First Impressions : 2011 Lexus CT200h Test Drive
09-25-10, 08:58 AM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Thanks for the review. The Lexus CT200h event here in Toronto wasn't allowing any test drives, I have to say that I was disappointed in that. I was hoping to actually drive it. I guess that'll have to wait until it is released.
09-25-10, 09:15 AM
#19
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Oh believe me, you didn't miss much in term of driving. They made us turn at almost every corner. We drove in a square, right, right, right, and back to where we are. I bet we ran mostly on battery. But it was nice to see it in action.
09-25-10, 09:38 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thanks, Phil. That's an excellent review for only an 8-minute total exposure. 
Though I haven't seen the car myself yet (I plan to when it is released in this area), most of your observations were right on. In general, nobody else in the mass-produced auto world paints a car like Lexus.....although newer Audis come close. The effective braking action you noticed, with minimal pedal action, was probably due to the regenerative-braking feature that all hybrids have....the electric motor acts in reverse, serving both as a generator and slowing down the drive wheels by removing their kinetic/rotating energy. And, yes, I totally agree with you.....the Prius, despite its refined, well-designed, efficient drivetrain, IS cheesy just about everywhere else.
Though I haven't seen the car myself yet (I plan to when it is released in this area), most of your observations were right on. In general, nobody else in the mass-produced auto world paints a car like Lexus.....although newer Audis come close. The effective braking action you noticed, with minimal pedal action, was probably due to the regenerative-braking feature that all hybrids have....the electric motor acts in reverse, serving both as a generator and slowing down the drive wheels by removing their kinetic/rotating energy. And, yes, I totally agree with you.....the Prius, despite its refined, well-designed, efficient drivetrain, IS cheesy just about everywhere else.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-10 at 09:51 AM.
09-25-10, 09:48 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
The Prius is simply not going to be 1/2 as entertaining to drive as the CT and the CT seems to have a much more luxurious interior.
09-25-10, 09:23 PM
#23
While I've never sat in the MS3 or the CT, I have sat in the Genesis Coupe and remember reading this:
"We didn't expect the considerably less expensive Mazda to offer interior quality and features on par with or exceeding the Hyundai's, but that's exactly what we found. From the driver seat, virtually everything you touch is of higher quality and feels better in the Mazda, notably the steering wheel, which looks and feels plasticky in the Genesis."
Personally I don't think they are "totally different." They are both 4 door Japanese hatchbacks aimed more at enthusiasts. The MS3 (and the Subaru WRX) are both priced a few thousand under the CT. The M5 costs 2x-3x more than the price of the Genesis, which isn't a fair comparison. I'd predict that when the CT gets released, some magazine with probably do a comparison test between these vehicles.
"We didn't expect the considerably less expensive Mazda to offer interior quality and features on par with or exceeding the Hyundai's, but that's exactly what we found. From the driver seat, virtually everything you touch is of higher quality and feels better in the Mazda, notably the steering wheel, which looks and feels plasticky in the Genesis."
Personally I don't think they are "totally different." They are both 4 door Japanese hatchbacks aimed more at enthusiasts. The MS3 (and the Subaru WRX) are both priced a few thousand under the CT. The M5 costs 2x-3x more than the price of the Genesis, which isn't a fair comparison. I'd predict that when the CT gets released, some magazine with probably do a comparison test between these vehicles.
Mazda 3 is an nice car, so is Golf, Focus, Astra, 1 series, A3, Giulietta, DS4, Civic, Leon, Auris, A Class, Megane, etc, etc.... MS3 has nothing to do with CTh, nobody in Europe buys it as it is petrol, spends a lot of fuel and as such has no resale value to speak of.
People in this class buy diesels with 90-140hp, and CTh is actually going to be faster than your average car sold in this class in Europe.
09-26-10, 07:51 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
is this car available yet?
09-26-10, 10:33 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
great review, thanks phil!!
i think this car is a winner all the way. better than fit, prius, hs, crz, etc.
glad there's no run flats
glad interior is more normal and decent looking
glad it's still quiet
wish the seating weren't quite so low, but anyway...
i think this car is a winner all the way. better than fit, prius, hs, crz, etc.
glad there's no run flats
glad interior is more normal and decent looking
glad it's still quiet
wish the seating weren't quite so low, but anyway...