ohh, i def know that's just figures based on the EPA and anyone can achieve more. I know a guy getting well over 60mpg with his PriusV constantly. but i'm just going off of basics right now, as that's all we have to use.

 

you have to realize they are comparing 17" CTh to 15" Prius... thats why there is such difference.

as i said, in Europe:
Prius 15": 3.9l/100km
CTh 15": 3.8l/100km

So CTh has better consumption under EU cycle, when comparing same spec cars, with same wheels and same weight.

 

You can check different specs for CTh in Lexus EU site:
http://www.lexus.eu/range/ct/ct-200h...ical-data.aspx

 

the PriusV comes with 17" wheels....just like the CTh, very comparable here

 

it does... however mileage you see cited as EPA mpg for Prius, come from testing of 15" wheels.

Which is why I have nicely posted european link where you can see the difference between 15 and 17" wheels on CTh (10% worse MPG). You do not have EPA mpg numbers for 17" Prius.

And once again, apples to apples, CTh spends LESS fuel than Prius, under EU cycle.

 

I wish they gave more options on cars. I'd kill for a custom LS600h with a built in PS3, Xbox, and a refrigerator in it....

 

our european models seem to have many options (probably because it will sell a lot more)... but we also pay for it dearly :-).

3k USD for Leather, 3k for base NAV, crazy money for NAV/ML.

 

I had the pleasure of driving the CT and let me tell you.... the interior build quality is TOP notch. With all the talk on the forums of Lexus quality not being what it once was back in the 90's, I really think this car will change your perception. To say the car is not worth $34k is to be ignorant. Please, at least sit in the car first before making such claims. It's a great vehicle and the gas mileage is superb.

 

I think this definitely keeps some buyers away. Not being able to buy the car you want with the options you want is unappealing to some.

It's a double edged sword for Lexus though. They can't expand the options or number of choices without raising the prices but by raising their price they take away some of their competitive advantage.

When I bought the F there were only two choices: loaded or not.

 

Well its not just Lexus fault, dealers order the safe colors and safe options and don't demand what there isn't much demand for. Otherwise they are stuck with cars they can't sell. Most people just want a nice Lexus in white/silver/black.

Contrary to popular belief, German cars are also ordered by dealers, its not like everyone goes there and orders a car. Dealers try to sell what is on the lot. Most German cars are sold that way, what is on the lot. Silver, black, beige, non sport models with CD, leather, sunroof.

It is perspective as well. Lexus bunches options and has more standard features. It might seem like they are not giving you the option. Contrarily Germans have seemingly more options and less large option packages. So yeah you have the "option" to get it but its really a bunch together.

The philosophy of Kaizen has a huge part called "elimination of waste" and it is hard for Lexus/Toyota to go against this to make that .001% happy while increasing costs.

That said I don't disagree with bit, a lot of Lexus options and features puzzle me as I shared with the recent HS purchase.

HS base has touring (sport) option. Not premium model. That model gets illuminated door sills, not premium model.
Most premium HS are base premium or HS with both tech packs for a 45k MSRP. That does not include ML or LEDs which are separate options and IM pretty inexcusable for a 45k car. So now an HID kit must be ordered.