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LEXUS CT Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 3
First production year: 2011
Engines: Hybrid
Body style: Hatchback
LEXUS CT photo gallery

Due to new pollution regulations, most of the car-makers had to bring new vehicles on the market, in 2017. Lexus had to improve its already old CT range.

Usually, a car is refreshed after four years from its launch and it stays on the market another three or four years after the facelift. For Lexus CT200h the first facelift was in 2013 and, in 2017, a second refresh was made for the premium hybrid compact-hatchback.

If you didn't win a contest of “find 10 differences between two pictures”, probably you wouldn't notice the differences between the 2013 and the 2017 CT200h models. The biggest difference was on the redesigned grille, which featured a 3D design pattern for the latter model and horizontal slats for the former. The Japenese car-maker didn't even bother to change the light-alloy wheels. In the back, there were new LED taillights, with side-fins for aerodynamic purposes or for a better look.

Inside, the main difference was the wider, 10.3”, infotainment display offered as an option. It was still placed on top of the dashboard like it was planted after the car left the assembly line. There were no other notable differences inside the cabin. At least, the designers didn't break the good things they did before.

For the drivetrain, the CT200h featured the same 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine with a 60kW electric motor. It was mated to the same CVT that made the car fuel-efficient.

full description and technical specifications
hybrid engines:

LEXUS CT 200h (136 HP)

LEXUS CT photo gallery

The 2014 Lexus CT200 h was the facelift of the first hybrid compact built by Lexus, on the proven hybrid platform from the Toyota Prius.

The successful premium compact hatchback from Lexus was sold in over 42.000 units in four years since its launch in 2010. It was a good figure for a premium car. But Lexus didn't sleep on its success and the 2014 model was an even better car.

On the outside, the front is the most obvious change. It adopted the front grille theme from the rest of the range, with the "spindle grille" design. Its center was slightly moved forward to create a more aerodynamic form and that led to a redesigned hood, lower bumper, and front fenders. On the hood, a "shark-fin" antenna replaced the older, classic one. For the wheels, the 2014 CT200h was fitted as standard with 16" light-alloy wheels, while an option for 17" was available.

Inside the car, there were more differences. The bigger, 370 mm (14.5") steering wheel was the same as the one in the IS model range. In the instrument cluster, a new 4.2 TFT screen was installed and it could have been connected to the audio system. For the infotainment unit, a 7" display was fitted. It wasn't a touch-screen, but it could have been controlled via a rotary-knob.

Under the hood, nothing changed. It was the same low-powered unit from the Prius, despite the sporty look of the vehicle.

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LEXUS CT photo gallery

After getting a good hybrid experience with the Prius, the Japanese car maker introduced the first premium compact hybrid vehicle on the market, the Lexus CT, at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

The Toyota Prius was the car that shifted the market attention toward hybrid vehicles. The first generation of the Prius was introduced in 1997 and, by 2010, the hybrid system was already to a higher level of efficiency and performance. It was ready to be introduced to the first compact hatchback built by Lexus.

The front aggressive styling looked typically Lexus. The raked A-pillars and straight roofline were followed by an abrupt descent of the tailgate. The C-pillar was moved over the rear wheels and not behind them, as it usually happens on the hatchbacks. The headlights and the taillights were designed in the same angular style of other Lexus models.

Inside, the Lexus kept its name as a premium brand. The dashboard was divided into two distinct zones: an upper, Display Zone, with an 8", LCD Multi-display screen, and a lower, Operation Zone, which allowed access to the shift lever and system controls such as the Remote Touch.

The drivetrain was a carry-over from the Prius. It featured a 1.8-liter Atkinson engine and an electric motor, in the parallel scheme. The CT200h could work in EV mode at speeds up to 45 km/h (28 mph) for up to 2 km (1.24 miles).

REVIEW: LEXUS CT 200h   full description and technical specifications