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New to the forum - Lexus driver crashing the party

Discussion in 'Lexus Hybrids and EVs' started by HomerCT200h, Oct 27, 2020.

  1. HomerCT200h

    HomerCT200h New Member

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    Other Hybrid
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    Four
    I drive a 2016 Lexus CT200h F-Sport with about 73k miles and figured I'd get on the prius chat forum I hear about.

    I'm on a Lexus forum as well but want to expand on my knowledge, and hopefully contributions, in regard to the vehicle.

    Its my understanding my entire drivetrain is the same as a Gen 4 prius. My mpg is not however, I pull down about 40mpg.

    I came from a Lexus IS350 and although I loved that car, I swear I feel a little smarter everyday driving a hybrid ha.

    I was nervous to make the switch from a sport sedan but got to say I'm happy with the ride. I certainly will have another sport car one day but I think I will continue to keep this hybrid for many years to come.

    Looking forward to reading up on improvements and maintenance experience with the other members.

    Although most my cars I like to mod here/there....I'm keeping the CT pretty stock.

    Minimal stuff...
    LED headlights
    LED interior
    LED reverse and side mirror puddle lights
    Shift knob (why? idk)
    Yellow putco halogen fogs

    Future "mods"
    Summer tire
    Better speakers
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Welcome to PriusChat! Both cars are good. Although I'm disappointed Toyota didn't upgrade the powertrain for the heavily refreshed 2021 model. All reviews so far seem to think the changes to the suspension setup is a large enough change.

    The drivetrain is based on the Gen 3 Prius actually. 40mpg is about right for the CT200h. (The Gen 3 is rated at 48mpg after the 2017 EPA adjustment)
     
  3. HomerCT200h

    HomerCT200h New Member

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    Thanks!
    Are you certain? I had thought the 2016 CT200h was based on gen 4 engine/ hybrid system. Ill have to look into it again! I'm still new to the car.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There's 1 generation of CT200h and it was available from 2011 to 2017 MY (2018MY in Canada).

    It's based on the Gen 3 Prius with the 2ZR-FXE 1.8 litre DOHC VVT-i I-4 and never changed throughout its life cycle. 98hp @ 5,200rpm/105lb-ft @ 4,000rpm from the engine, total system hp is 134hp with ? torque number (Toyota doesn't release system torque numbers for some reason). Improvements for the Gen 3 Prius included an engine exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for quicker engine warm-up times as well as a cooled engine gas recirculation (EGR) system for cooling the engine (instead of the traditional way of splashing fuel) thus reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Thermal efficiency of the engine is 38.5%. A new electric water pump makes the engine completely beltless, eliminating any accessory drag on the engine compared to a regular car.

    The benefit of the CT200h over the Prius' sibling is its rear multi-link suspension (compared to torsion beam on the Prius) which resulted in a nicer ride and better handling (tossed it over a manhole cover on a snow covered road on a corner on a test drive it was very composed compared to my old 2010 Prius). The lower mpg number compared to the Prius is a result of the less aerodynamic shape, shorter overall body length and larger wheel size. I guess it's also heavier than the Prius so they probably tweaked the final drive ratio for similar acceleration at the expense of mpg.


    The Gen 4 Prius uses the same 2ZR-FXE 1.8 litre engine with tweaks. The torque figure of 105lb-ft available at a much lower 3,600rpm. Engine power is similar at 95hp @ 5,200rpm. Total system hp is 121hp but apparently Toyota said the performance is the same as the Gen 3, it's just the way they calculated total system hp that changed, resulting in a lower number on paper. Thermal efficiency of the updated engine rises to 40%, highest that at time (since surpassed by Hyundai Ioniq at 41% and 2018+ Camry Hybrid at 42%).

    The hybrid transaxle is smaller with a 20% lower loss. The electric motor is smaller, with higher power density and 20% lower loss. Intelligent Power Module unit inside the inverter reduced in size by 31% and once again power loss reduced by 20%. I could go on with the battery (NiMH and Li-Ion) for power density, weight reduction, size reduction, new heat exchanger, new automatic grille shutters and so forth. None of these in the last two paragraphs are in the 2016 CT200h.
     
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Nope - it's only a Gen3.

    Re "resulted in a nicer ride" - that was the problem when I test drove one.

    The "LUXURY" version I first drove rode nicely. But, I wanted RADAR CRUISE - and it was only available on the "F Sport" version - which came with very low-profile tyres - and the ride was terrible in comparison - and worse than a Gen 3 by a big margin. And then Gen 4 came out and rode better than both.
     
    #5 alanclarkeau, Oct 27, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 28, 2020
  6. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    I wonder if part of the MPG difference with the Lexus is due to a final drive gearing change, like in the Prius V wagon? The V weighs more, is larger, and is less aerodynamic than the standard Prius. As a result has a lower final drive gearing. It would make sense to use that gearing in the CT200h for the same reasons.
     
  7. HomerCT200h

    HomerCT200h New Member

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    Thanks for clarifying. In 2015 the CT got updated pistons, rings, and intake manifold. Also eliminated the seemingly common issues with the EGR I understand, so I suppose this is where I saw the similarities to the Gen 4.

    The thing I liked about the CT was the handling, it impresses me to this day even with the subpar tires I have now. And the looks and overall design won hands down.

    But totally agree on ride quality...its not too smooth at all. Like you said, stiffer suspension, smaller wheels, shorter wheel base.

    Thanks again
     
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I don't think we got DRCC/PCS in Canada.... maybe the refresh but I can't remember now. Ours was reasonably priced (especially compared to the expensive HS250h).

    Only the base version here got the 16" rims that the rest of the world seems to have as standard equipment. Other models (both F Sport and non F Sport) got 17" rims and tyres.

    It could be, especially since the weight is closer to the Prius v as well.

    No problem.

    Ahh ok. That's a good update. As you've obviously researched, the early years of Gen 3 had the EGR issue.

    I like the design as well, especially the F Sport after the refresh. In Canada, we didn't get the black roof option until 2016 (so one year after the US). It was well priced in Canada as well.
     
    alanclarkeau likes this.