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

Toyota’s new 400bhp four-cylinder aims squarely at Mercedes-AMG
Toyota GR Corolla
News

Toyota’s new 400bhp four-cylinder aims squarely at Mercedes-AMG

Toyota’s pushing on with the development of an all-new, high-performance four-cylinder power plant that could make its hot hatches hyper
10 Nov 2025
Four brilliant used V8 Jaguars for the price of a new Volkswagen Golf
Used Jaguars
News

Four brilliant used V8 Jaguars for the price of a new Volkswagen Golf

Jaguar’s next era looms with the all-electric Type 00, but these used supercharged V8 icons are hard to ignore in a soulless EV world
12 Nov 2025
Bugatti Mistral review – behind the wheel of the £5m W16 swansong
Bugatti Mistral
Reviews

Bugatti Mistral review – behind the wheel of the £5m W16 swansong

When you’re invited to drive the 1578bhp, 282mph, convertible Bugatti Mistral, the one thing you don’t need is rain. But when it’s the final outing fo…
9 Nov 2025