I like reliable, I like sturdy and I certainly am a fan of Lexus so enter the 2014 Lexus CT 200h in the eye popping red I drove for a week and you have a distinctive hybrid vehicle that is as much about high-end as it is about sporty boasting the hatchback design.
While it might not be the fastest car out of the gate, it does have some high marks with new additions that were added for 2014 like the styling in the front and new wheels and a cool package addition called the F Sport.
Competition for this four-door hatchback includes the 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid, Acura TSX Sport Wagon, BMW X1 sDrive28i and the Buick Verano Turbo.
The 2014 Lexus CT 200h has four doors and seats five with only one trim level offered. On this trim, you get 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, high-end vinyl upholstery, split-folding rear seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and the tech goodies like a Bluetooth phone and audio connect, six speakers and satellite radio with a USB and iPod interface.
There are also a few additional packages you can add as well like the Display Audio package with 10 speakers versus six, a rearview camera and a seven-inch display screen. On the navigation package, it’s a voice-controlled system with HD radio and the Lexus Enform infotainment with safety features.
On the premium package you can add the rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rearview mirror or the luxury package comes complete with the premium package goodies and leather upholstery with driver memory settings.
New for 2014, the F Sport package has 17-inch alloy wheels with a sport-tuned suspension, larger rear spoiler, and distinctive styling on both the interior and exterior.
For those who want to add a little of this and little of that that without a full additional package, stand alone features that can be added include LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a back-up camera that is used in conjunction with the auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Under the hood, the 2014 Lexus CT 200 is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor/generators and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. You get 134 horsepower with this combination utilizing front wheels with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
For safety it’s the standard anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control and front-and rear-seat side, side curtain and dual front knee airbags. There is also the Lexus’ Safety Connect telematics system and that comes complete with the automatic collision, stolen-vehicle location devise, and as options you can get the rearview camera and the front and rear parking sensors. Also, when you opt for the adaptive cruise-control system this gives you the pre-collision feature with radar sensors allowing the driver to be made aware of an oncoming impact thereby tightening the seatbelts and kicking in the brakes.
For a hatchback, this is definitely a snazzy option and the interior won’t disappoint with the premium vinyl upholstery that goes very well with the styling of this car.
All the knobs and buttons are easy to navigate and when you add on the Navigation package the Lexus Remote Touch system uses a mouse-like control for easy scanning for whatever you need.
The seats are also quite comfortable and there is leg and head room for all, but the storage in this Lexus is smaller with the luggage space coming in at 14.3 cubic feet. That is actually smaller than on many hatchbacks in today’s market.
For driving, it’s not a sports-car feel when it comes to making it purr, but you do get where you need to go and it feels good behind the wheel with firm handling. Whether it’s the gasoline engine or the all-electric power both are equally easy to manage and notice, too, the automatic stop-start system working at peak as needed from the stop and start positions.
Should You Need to Know: The 2014 CT 200h has the same system as the Toyota Prius, which makes it a good option for the higher-end hybrid junkie and it certainly handles well too, an extra push on the engine acceleration when in gas mode might be a noticeable challenge, but little else.
MPG: On the 2014 Lexus CT 200h I drove, it came in with 43 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Cost: The price tag for the 2014 Lexus CT 200h is $41,540.
For more auto tips and information follow Rita @RitaCook13.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.