Review: Lexus ZWA10 CT 200h (2011-19)

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• Fuel-efficient powertrain
• Competent dynamics
• High standard of interior fit and finish

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• Suspension lacks compliance
• Cabin lacks sound insulation
• CVT contributes to droning noises
• Light steering lacks feel
• Cramped rear seat
• Shallow boot

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Review: Lexus ZWA10.I CT 200h (2011-14)

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Overview

Released in March 2011, the Lexus ZWA10 Series I (ZWA10.I) CT hatchback range consisted solely of the CT 200h hybrid hatchback. Manufactured in Fukuoka, Japan, the front-wheel drive Lexus CT 200h was powered by a modified version of the hybrid powertrain used in the Toyota Prius, using a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and/or electric motor that was mated to a continuously variable transmission. Furthermore, the CT200h was available in Prestige, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury variants.

2ZR-FXE engine

In isolation, the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE petrol engine – with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing – produced peak power and torque of 73 kW and 142 Nm. However, the electric motor (drawing power from nickel-metal hydride batteries) could produce 60 kW, taking combined peak power and torque to 100 kW and 207 Nm. The CT 200h featured four driving modes: ‘Normal’, ‘EV’ (for electric power only up to 45 km/h), ‘ECO’ (for maximum economy) and ‘Sport’ (greater throttle response).

Fuel consumption over the ADR 81/02 combined cycle was 4.1 litres per 100 km. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Dimensions

Compared to the Toyota XW30 Prius , the Lexus ZWA10 CT 200h was 140 mm shorter (at 4320 mm), 20 mm wider (1765 mm), 50 mm lower (1440 mm) and had a 100 mm shorter wheelbase (2600 mm). Furthermore, the CT 200h had kerb weight of 1370 kg and a coefficient of drag of 0.29 Cd.

Suspension

The Lexus CT 200h had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, double wishbone rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Lexus CT 200h included dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Sports Luxury was further equipped with a radar-based ‘active’ cruise control system and crash preparation system (i.e. brake priming and seatbelt tensioning).

Brakes

The CT 200h had 255 mm by 25 mm ventilated front brake discs and 279 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Lexus CT 200h was awarded a five star safety rating with a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for the front occupants and a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test though, in the more severe pole test, chest protection was assessed as marginal. Under ANCAP’s methodology this resulted in an adult occupant protection score of 36.13 out of 37.

Features: CT 200h Prestige, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury

Standard features for the CT 200h Prestige included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary inputs, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, cargo cover, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The CT 200h Luxury was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with six-disc CD player, satellite navigation, leather upholstery, heated front seats, front fog lights, Bluetooth connectivity, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera and moonroof.

Beyond this, the CT 200h F Sport featured 17-inch alloy wheels with stiffer suspension, contoured sports seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, anti-glare and retracting door mirrors with auto-dipping on reverse, rear privacy glass and alarm; the F Sport, however, omitted the Luxury’s sunroof. Visually, the F Sport was distinguished by its more aggressive styling, mesh grille and rear privacy glass.

Compared to the Luxury, the range-topping CT 200h Sports Luxury was differentiated by its power adjustable driver’s seat, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, anti-glare and retracting door mirrors with auto-dipping on reverse, LED headlights with washers, front and rear parking sensors, woodgrain interior trim and an alarm.

2012 Lexus CT 200h X Special Edition

In July 2012, a limited-run X Special Edition variant was released. Compared to the Prestige variant, the X Special Edition was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Visually, the X Special Edition could be identified by its sports bumpers, side skirts, larger rear spoiler and ‘X’ badging.

December 2012: Lexus CT 200h update

In December 2012, standard features for the Lexus CT 200h were extended to include Bluetooth connectivity, a ‘Drive Mode Select’ linked tachometer, instrument lighting and power retracting door mirrors. Beyond this, satellite navigation systems were upgraded with hard-drive memory storage (previously DVD-based), live traffic alerts and new user interface graphics. F Sport and Sports Luxury variants received power adjustable front seats, while Sport Luxury variants were also fitted with a Mark Levinson audio system as standard.

The suspension was also revised – across the range – with changes to the shock absorbers for greater ride compliance.

Brochure

• Brochure: Lexus ZWA10.I CT 200h (March 2011)

Related links

• Press Kit: Lexus ZWA10.I CT 200h (March 2011)
• Press Release: Lexus ZWA10.I CT 200h (December 2012)

Review: Lexus ZWA10.II CT 200h (2014-17)

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Overview

Released in Australia in April 2014, the Lexus ZWA10 Series II (ZWA10.II) CT 200h had a stiffer body structure, improved noise insulation and revised suspension; the range was also revised as the Prestige variants were discontinued.

Visually, the ZWA10.II CT 200h could be identified by its spindle grille, rear bumper with L-shaped reflector housings and black lower section, shark fin-style roof antenna and new ten-spoke 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels. The F Sport variant was differentiated by its mesh pattern grille, black roof, dark finish alloy wheels and rear spoiler with cut-outs for additional downforce.

Inside, changes included a new 370 mm diameter steering wheel, new door panel inserts and upholstery designs (including Topaz Brown and Kaleidoscope Red), a fixed central TFT multimedia display, a more user-friendly ‘push to enter’ control switch for the second generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI), additional functionality for the navigation systems and the Optitron instrument binnacle was available with a 4.2-inch TFT screen. F Sport variants had unique upholstery, a perforated leather accented steering wheel, black or dark rose leather trim with double stitching, F Sport badging and aluminium pedals and scuff plates.

For the audio systems, sound quality was enhanced through new loudspeaker diaphragms which were produced by combining bamboo fibre, plant opal and charcoal in an injection moulding process.

The ZWA10.II CT had a stiffer body structure due to additional spot welding, body braces and the use of structural adhesives. As a result, the suspension was also revised for greater ride comfort with new shock absorber valves and revised rear stabiliser bars, while F Sport variants had unique coil spring settings and optimised front/rear roll rigidity for sportier handling. The electronic power steering (EPS) system was also revised for greater rigidity and feel. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its ZWA10.I predecessor, safety equipment for the ZWA10.II CT 200h was unchanged.

Features: CT 200h Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury

Standard features for the CT 200h Luxury included 16-inch twin-five-spoke alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 91V tyres, a ten speaker Lexus Display Audio system with a CD player and auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and retracting door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, cargo cover, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The CT 200h F Sport was further equipped with 17-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 87W tyres, a satellite navigation system with voice recognition and live traffic updates, digital radio (DAB+) and Lexus’ Enform connectivity system which included five applications and services including a call-centre based Destination Assist service, a remote information transfer service, fuel station information, internet-based searching for local businesses and services, and weather conditions.

The range-topping Sports Luxury variant was distinguished by its thirteen speaker Mark Levinson sound system, LED headlights and fog lights, Shimamoku trim and privacy glass.

October 2014 update

From October 2014, the CT 200h was fitted with a one-touch indicator and a revised Lexus Remote Touch (LRT) controller. Cosmetic changes included the introduction of a Sonic Quartz paint finish (replacing White Pearl) and engine bay changes for CT 200h Luxury variants.

Enhancement Packs

For the Luxury variants, the enhancement packs added the following features:

• Enhancement Pack 1 ($3250): 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-accented interior, heated front seats and front fog lights;
• Enhancement Pack 2 ($5750): as above, plus moonroof;
• Enhancement Pack 3 ($7250): as per Enhancement Pack1 1, plus digital radio, satellite navigation, a self dimming interior mirror and Lexus’ Enform system; and,
• Enhancement Pack 4 ($9750): as above, plus moonroof.

The F Sport variant was available with two enhancement packs:

• Enhancement Pack 1 ($2500): moonroof; and,
• Enhancement Pack 2 ($6500): Mark Levinson sound system, Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS), a smart card key and moonroof.

Brochure

• Brochure: Lexus ZWA10.II CT 200h (July 2016)

Related links

• Press Kit: Lexus ZWA10.II CT 200h (April 2014)
• Lexus Australia: IS, ES and CT updates (October 2014)

Review: Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h (2017-19)

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Overview

The Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h was released in Australia in October 2017. Significantly, the Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h was fitted with ‘Lexus Safety System+’ which included autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard.

Visually, the Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h could be identified by its more aggressive front mask which had a new mesh pattern for the spindle grille (previously horizontal bars); for the F Sport and Sports Luxury, the ‘arrowhead’ daytime running lights were re-positioned above the single-projector headlamps. At the rear, the new L-shaped LED tail-lights had upper and lower lines that became thicker as they curved outwards, while the lower parts of the rear bumper were re-shaped and, for the Luxury and Sports Luxury variants, had a metallic silver-and-black finish.

For the Lexus CT 200h F Sport, changes included:

• Jet-black plating for the mouldings above and below the grille;
• Black metallic paint for the mesh-pattern spindle grille, fog lamp inserts and surrounds;
• A black metallic paint finish for the rear lower garnish; and,
• 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish.

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Safety equipment

As standard, the Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ which included the following technologies –

• Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection and autonomous braking: used a millimetre-wave radar in the grille to detect the distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead and could also detect pedestrians. Initially, a warning tone would sound to alert the driver of a possible collision. In its secondary stage, the system primed the braking system for faster response. If the driver failed to respond, the system would automatically apply the brakes to reduce vehicle speed and pre-tension the front seatbelts;
• Dynamic radar cruise control: used the same millimetre-wave radar as PCS to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead when cruise control was activated – this included applying the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest if necessary and accelerating back to the pre-selected cruising speed when safe to do so;
• Lane departure warning with steering assist: used a windscreen-mounted camera to monitor the vehicle’s position relative to lane markings painted on the road surface. If the CT 200h was about to depart from its lane without the turn indicator having been applied, a buzzer would sound to alert the driver and a warning would appear on the multi-information display. If the vehicle continued to move outside the lane, light steering force would be applied to return the vehicle to its lane; and,
• Automatic high-beam headlights: detected the headlights of oncoming vehicles and tail-lights of vehicles ahead, enabling the vehicle to automatically switch between high- and low-beam illumination to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Features: CT 200h Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury

Inside, the Lexus ZWA10.III CT 200h Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury variants all featured a 10.3-inch display for the Lexus Navigation System, replacing the previous 7-inch screen. Standard features were also extended to include a GPS function for the analogue clock sot that it could automatically adjust to different time zones, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and, for the reversing camera, moving guidelines to assist with parking manoeuvres.

Beyond this, the CT 200h F Sport and Sports Luxury gained auto-levelling bi-LED headlights with washers. The CT 200h F Sport also LED fog lamps (previously reserved for the CT 200h Sports Luxury).

Brochure

• Brochure: Lexus ZWA10 CT 200h (March 2018)

Related links

• Lexus Australia: Lexus Adds Style, Features and Safety to CT 200h (October 2017)
• Lexus Australia: 2017 Lexus CT 200h (October 2017)
• Lexus Press: Sportier Styling for Premium Lexus Hybrid (June 2017)
• Lexus Press Europe: Lexus CT 200h evolves with sportier styling, interior updates and innovative equipment (June 2017)
• Lexus Australia: Lexus CT 200h
• Wikipedia.org: Lexus ZWA10 CT