Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus CT200h review - A premium hatchback alternative - Design

A frugal choice, but lags well behind German rivals for driving entertainment

Evo rating
RRP
from £21,000
  • Peerless Lexus service, reliability and tax-dodging emissions status
  • Eco focus makes for a dreary drive, yet the suspension is overly firm

Design

The CT is a curious looking hatchback, its heavy slab sides making it look weighty, more Toyota in its style than Lexus. The addition of the Lexus 'spindle' front grille has given it a more obviously familial look, but it’s unlikely the styling is ever going to have your head turn like it might with an optioned-up Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In S specification the Lexus CT looks terribly under-wheeled, those deep flanks exacerbating the visual effect of tiny alloy wheels. A smart, rather than sharp looker then, which, in the cut-and-thrust compact premium marketplace, is a problem. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Porsche ‘Mission S’ supercar central in plan to tackle Ferrari head-on
What the new Porsche supercar could look like, edited with AI
News

New Porsche ‘Mission S’ supercar central in plan to tackle Ferrari head-on

Porsche’s plan to recover its profits involves pushing upmarket to widen margins, with more customisability and a new supercar
7 Oct 2026
Renault Clio RS (Mk4, 2013-2019) review – the downfall of Renault Sport?
Renault Clio RS (Mk4)
In-depth reviews

Renault Clio RS (Mk4, 2013-2019) review – the downfall of Renault Sport?

For its fourth generation the Renault Sport Clio featured some controversial changes and made some crucial errors. It wasn’t all bad, though
8 Oct 2026
New Jaguar Type 01 arrives at last - inside the crucial EV with the men who made it
New Jaguar Type 01 - Sam Jenkins
News

New Jaguar Type 01 arrives at last - inside the crucial EV with the men who made it

Jaguar is hoping the Type 01 – finally revealed in its production form – is the car to transform its fortunes; we find out what’s beneath its controve…
7 Oct 2026