CT 200h: first impressions from a production vehicle

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...ots-starting-29-999-photos-7.html#post1282774

Giora.

 

Please keep us posted on mpg experience and other aspects.

Giora.

 

Still wondering if i should make the move!

 

Congrats Matt on the nice ride, can't wait to see your pics!

 

Go to Lexus and call the CT200h a Matrix Hybrid, the reaction the salesmen have is hilarious!

 

Yes i loved it!

i wanted to switch from the prius to the CT200h and i would have the same payment but Lexus credit wont let me do it since i dont have a canadian proof that im working ( im working in germany and still waiting to see what i have to do with my canadians taxes! )

 

I know they aren't the same. They look suspiciously similar, as do the HS250h and Corolla, but Lexus and Toyota are of the same blood, as the Tahoe and Yukon are nearly identical. The funny part was listening to the diatribe that the salesmen go through when you say that.

 

And its appearance (but that is subjective).

Took a test drive... and agree, one cannot appreaciate the differences until trying it.

Giora.

 

HS250h also has nothing to do with Corolla at all... it is based on Avensis platform (premium Passat rival in Europe) with unique interior, powertrain and exterior.

 

I took a test drive yesterday. My impressions:

Seating - OMG! I want to take that drivers seat out of the car and stick it in both my office and my living room. So comfy and supportive. Keeps you planted in the seat without being intrusive on the sides, or too soft or too hard. Infinitely customizable, and the steering wheel is also correctly positioned. If you can't find a comfortable seating position in this car, then you must not be human. Contrary to some reviews and comments, I did not find the seating too low at all. It was lower than a Prius, but not sports car low. It was easy to get in and out of the car. Besides, you can raise and lower the seats in any case, and unlike the Prius, they are power seats and both the front and back of the seat can be raised and lowered.

Ride and handling - OMG! Prius V like handling, but with a much more pliant ride. You have tight steering, but not too tight. Both you and the car still absolutely planted going around corners. The Prius V is pretty good, but in this car there's no feeling of getting thrown around and no feeling the car might break away. There's still plenty of road feel, but without the harsh jarring and without the feeling you are feeling every pebble and every crack in the pavement. Everything just feels softened, without being mushy (i.e., no under inflated tire syndrome). The other reviews and comments I've seen are not doing justice to how much better the ride is than in the Prius.

Power - What power? This is a dressed up Prius, what did you expect? Get real or should I say, get a beamer! Yes in sports mode it gives you the accelerated throttle response, but much smoother (less lurch) than in the Prius. However, mashing the pedal to jump onto the interstate is still going to result in the same good enough, but underwhelming performance.

Interior - Yes, this is definitely a compact car compared to a Prius. You are closer to everything, including the front seat passenger. However, seemed very comfortable and practical on first impression. Not claustrophobic, but the Prius felt much larger after driving this car. The hatch space is obviously much smaller. The rear seats were much more comfortable than a Prius. Obviously less leg room but not impossible. We had a fairly tall sales guy in the back, and he didn't look contorted or anything, especially after my short wife scooted forward a bit. Materials and look were obviously much nicer, particularly the leather on those wonderful seats! Some aspects felt very Prius like, but not always in a good way.

Electronics - Big disappointment. If you've been in a Prius, you've seen it. Biggest difference was the pop up nav screen, with a joystick interface instead of touch screen. I could get used to it, but the touch screen is much simpler. The seat in the nav car (was being prepped for sale) was set really low, and I had to raise it to see the full screen, because the alcove it sits in has side walls and a somewhat high front space. It is hard drive based, so it should at least be faster. The enform system was kind of cool (call the operator and have them download your destination for you). I would prefer to hold out for Toyota's newer system though. Didn't have a chance to really test the stereo, but what little I heard was nice, but not overwhelming. Liked the lay flat rear seats.

Noise - Pretty quiet. Probably slightly better than Prius. Had some wind noise from the apparently mandatory sunroof, which quieted after closing the interior panel.

Exterior - Not bad in person. Red was very nice, and also the dark gray. Silver so-so. That mustard gold is eye-popping, but nicer in person than on the internet pictures.

All in all I liked this car much more than I was expecting. The ride and handling were better than I had hoped for. The seating is to die for. If I were buying today, I would definitely choose this over the Prius. Not sure I want to take a big financial hit trading in though, just to get a smaller car with probably less mileage. May just hold out for an electric car in a few years.

 

Well the HS is a larger car than the Corolla and even the Camry Hybrid in some respects and the CT looks nothing like the Matrix particularly up close. Maybe at a 55 mph drive by. I like the colors better than the Matrix colors which can be best described as flat.

 

Only the general shape is the same. You could argue the Mazda3 hatch, Audi A3, Subaru Impreza hatch, Matrix and CT200h all 'look the same'. O. K .

Not even a shred of similarity inside a Matrix and CT. Matrix is Corolla inside, CT is way upscale.

And like said above the drivers seat is off the hook, good. I sat in the leather.

TG drives the Lexus CT200h hybrid - BBC Top Gear

the neanderthals commenting on Top Gear site commenting on CT. I get Top Gear though .... like MTv for motor vehicles. They drive around in Jaguars bragging how good they are. Lucky you Mr. Clarkson.

 

I only got a quick demo of the nav in a sold car, so my comments on the electronics aren't based on much real knowledge or experience. Another important item to note is the dual zone climate control, which the Prius doesn't have. This is a vital feature to avoid arguments with your signifiant other!

 

maybe I'm shallow, but this is what in part turned me off to the CT - the exterior appearance.

I wish it would distinguish itself in some way... In any way! More aggressive-looking or more luxurious looking or more outlandish looking. The marketing for this was aimed at the young, hip, affluent crowd, amirite?

I'd love to transplant the powertrain and the seats from the CT into a Mini Countryman (which is Honda Fit-size) and drive off into the sunset.

Someone please take the lexus designers to burningman and give them some LSD. :spider:

TIA