Owner Review: My Baby Lexus, My Daily Precious - Lexus Ct200h

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Basic information about my car:

2013 Lexus Ct200h standard

Reasons why I bought this car(purpose):

My first car was an ancient Renault Scenic. The gearbox is faulty from time to time and the cost of repairing it is more than the actual value of the car, so I decided to buy something else. I needed something to travel for work and study.

Space is something that I don't really need because I don't always carry people in the backseats. But I didn't want something too small because I wanted something to match my height as well. My parents strongly suggest that I pick something reliable to get away from what I've been through with the Renault. I wanted a hot hatch at that time, like the Golf GTI Mk7, but that was way out of my budget.

Car Selection Process

• I had a budget of around RM130,000, but ended up over budget haha
• Models that I have considered Mitsubishi Lancer, Proton Inspira, Mazda 3, VW Golf GTI

User Experience

• I have already done 102,000 km.

Performance

Under the hood packs a 1.8 engine + a 60kW hybrid battery paired to a eCVT transmission. It has a total combined output of 134 hp and 207 nm of torque.

Before you ask, yes, it is the same exact combo with the Toyota Prius so performance is not much in this car if you compare it to something like a hot hatch. This is more suitable for looking good driving in the city with the Lexus badge upfront.

When I first drive  the car in Normal mode, the car can really feel very sluggish to move. Thankfully there is a sport mode where it can change the throttle response of the car. In sport mode, the car feels more like a normal car and you can feel the instant torque everytime you press on the gas which is quite fun at fast. With that said, don't think you are able to tapau any hot hatch out there.

As for fuel economy, I could average 19km/l on highways and 16km/l in city traffic.

Comfort

I got the standard specification so the car comes with normal suspension and 16 inch rims. I had the original rims until the tire was worn out and then changed to 18s with 225/45 tires. When I was still on the 16s, the car would scrape very easily on higher bumps, on the 18s it was better over bumps, but I will still get the occasional scrapes if I drive too fast over tall bumps.

Ride comfort for me is still okay on nicer patches of roads, but broken roads and potholes will really send a jolt down your spine. But the chassis is quite balanced so this car is actually quite planned during sharp cornering and bends.
 
Lexus makes the best seats. Although this is the cheapest model in the Lexus lineup, they do not skip on the seats. The seats have side bolsters that hold you in place well and yet still provide very easy access and exits. Once I'm used to Lexus seats, I can never feel the same in other seats of other brands. Compared to the seats in the Volvo XC90, it is superbly comfortable but I don't feel surprised anymore.

Interior

The interior is actually a quite nice place to be in, soft touch leather everywhere you see and touch and cheaper plastics lower down. Ambience is quite nice, you are surrounded by a blue theme in the speedometer and a puddle lamp shining down on the cup holders. The best part is when you change to sport mode everything changes to red for a sporty feel. Your hybrid meter will also be replaced by a rev counter.

Looks

I find the overall shape and look of the car very good looking. The car looks luxurious yet sporty at the same time, especially after I've changed the front bumper to the 2014 facelift. The predator's face makes the whole car look very mean.

Space

The front seats are spacious enough for 2 bigger size adults. 180cm fits fine in the front but the center armrest is a bit small so sometimes you will get some arm rubbing.

Backseats are a bit cramped for taller adults, especially leg room. Adults around or below 170cm should have no problem sitting behind.

Booth space is a bit on the smaller size due to the batteries stored underneath, I manage to carry a large suitcase and barely have enough space for another carry on luggage. The backseats are 60:40 foldable and when they are folded down, they lie completely flat, good for carrying bigger items like furniture.

Things to take note

Maintenance wise, this is just like every common Toyota. The hybrid battery for me works fine, my first battery change was on the third or fourth year of ownership and it was still under the 8 year battery warranty. Other common problems include the steering rack making some cracking noise, but these are small fixes. This car has never given me any big problems during my 8 year ownership.

Pros and Cons

Pros of my car

● Great small car for people who occasionally use the back seats
● Entry level premium hatchback at affordable prices
● Good looking
● Fuel Efficient
● Good handling
● Toyota maintenance

Cons

● This car is on the smaller size in its segment
● Can feel underpowered when battery level low
● ECVT transmission can be annoying on highways
● Elder people might find it harder to enter or exit the car and ride maybe too firm for them
● Low resale value due ro lifespan of battery

Summary:

If you want something not too big, you don't travel with more than one passenger most of the time, and you don't need too much power for city driving. Then this car actually ticks all the right boxes for you. But if you want something more sporty or you like the traditional powertrain instead of hybrid complications then you're better off with something else.

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