Consumer Reports 1st Take - CT 200h

First take from Consumer Reports seems to play up the negatives:

First drive video: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

The guy got the horsepower figure wrong. CT200h is a lot heavier than Prius? I thought only 100 lbs more.

3,130
- 3,042
= 88 lbs

Yea, 88 lbs is A LOT heavier than Prius. CT200h weights virtually the same as Mazda 3.

i found the short take dissapoining ... seems like they didnt want to research the car before.

They were comparing it to other Lexus cars they've driven. Ah something that has never happened to me. So the review meant nothing to me when they were comparing it to other Lexus. As do most of the reviews. The geek in me is really interested in the Prius PHV, the Lexus because of its luxury, and the Prius 4 with some extras like the solar roof.

pakitt's review was a hunert times better.

I'll say.

Of course it'll still be an interesting read when Consumer's Report finalize the CT200h review probably against other hybrid luxury cars (snicker) since they drive all their cars the exact same way. And incidentally their mileage for the Prius Gen II and Gen III happens to be almost identical to pakitt's, 44.

I like the front end styling on the CT a lot. I kinda not too crazy about the styling around the back edge of passenger doors. I dunno how it will do over time. No one know now.

I'm just too tall for the car anyway and would insist on more passenger room. Prius would still be top hybrid for me.

I thought it was decent review for being 2 minutes, but yes, it was laden with comparisons to the Prius. Surprised to hear 'it's a little loud inside' so he says. He coud have mentioned it can be with had with fine leather seats.

Don't worry ggood, I'm sure CT is a comfortable and economical car to drive and to me, those are two very big benefits.

Definitely focused on the negatives and got a few important details wrong. But overall, I would say correct.

My opinion is that this car is not made for the US. As the US falls from being a large car buying power, the markets that are overtaking want this type of vehicle. This is the perfect European "hot hatch" as Jeremey Clarkson would say. Well he wouldn't say it about the CT since he is Lexus-phobic and anti-hybrid... This would also fit in quite well on the streets of PRC. Americans may grow into it, and it may sell ok here, but I don't believe it was intended to ever do well here. I would be curious to track the worldwide sales of this one.

I can tell you it sold something like 875 units in US in April, but who can judge with the quake/tsunami. ouch.

Was that 875 sold, ordered, or delivered?

The Lexus dealership I was at last month had a waiting list, and one for demo only. Delivery was not until end of the summer at the earliest if we ordered that day.

It will be hard to get figures right until the mess gets cleaned up over there. Tragically that may take a very long time.

CR tends to focus on negative things a lot more than positive things. Though this guy seemed especially harsh.

Their 1st take pointed out the things that bothered me about this car, though: noisy, cramped and not too sporty.

So much for acoustic glass.

i was frustrated a bit by review, it seems guy didnt know much about the car...

... so to the noisy, it is actually quite quiet car as objective tests have shown, it is quietest Lexus after LS... as to the cramped - yes it is small car, so what? Is every car supposed to be barge on the road?

I dont get that in 2011, Reviewer complains that C class hatchback is "cramped".

"The ride is pretty firm...but it's less impressive as you drop below the beltline."

That's what she said.

They're ba-a-a-ck! -

From the logbook: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

Some of their logbook entries are contradictory, some are actually accurate and some are nonsense.

This is not supposed to be a power car people. It's just supposed to be a more luxurious Prius, albeit smaller and better handling. To compare it to the higher end Lexus also makes no sense, since it is meant to be an entry level car and is priced accordingly.

To say the car is noisy is just flat out wrong. I think what some reviewers mean is that they don't like the way it sounds, rather than the decibel level.

Finally, the ride is pretty good, but does favor handling over smoothness. It is definitely better than Prius but doesn't float like Camry. The comment about bumpiness is way exaggerated, as is the comment about rear visibility, which is better in CT than Prius.

Everything is relative, but I just don't get what some people are expecting from this car.

and what's up with the fiddly shifter comment?

The Lexus gets about the same gas mileage as a Honda Insight, and is almost twice the cost. $31K vs 18K.

I don't know how much bigger inside the Lexus is, but if room is your problem, buy a Prius.

The Lexus is just an effort to build some unneeded luxury into a hybrid.

lol, Insight vs CT? I never thought I would hear that! They are completely different markets. You buy a Honda to be an economical hybrid. If you are buying an Insight, it is because you can't afford a CT. If you are buying a CT is is because you want to look good and be slightly greener and expense is no worry.

unneeded luxury? if you dont like it, fine, but i would say luxury is much needed.